Environmental studies for mining proposals
The Minister said his Department assesses environmental impact studies submitted by mining promoters and requests further work where needed, pending agreement with the Department of the Environment on permanent arrangements. Two applications are being assessed, but he declined to name them.
asked the Minister for Energy the arrangements, if any, he has made for carrying out environmental impact studies on mining proposals.
Comment on this
In the case of projects where applications have been received for mining leases the procedure being followed at present is that my Department, assisted by such expertise as is necessary, carry out assessments of the environmental impact studies carried out by the promoters of the projects. Where these studies are inadequate, the promoters are requested to carry out such further studies as are considered necessary and the results are assessed in due course.
These are interim measures pending conclusion of discussions with the Department of the Environment in regard to arrangements of a more permanent nature.
Comment on this
Has the Minister received any recent applications for which he would carry out such studies? What assessments are in train at the moment?
Comment on this
Two applications for mining licences rest before me at present and the procedures outlined in the reply are being applied in those cases.