PROSPECTING for minerals in parts of Tulla and Bunratty may be give the green light, a government department has said. 

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is accepting submissions up to January 8 on an application from a Meath-based company.

The Department has posted a notice of its intention to grant a prospecting licence to Minco Ireland for base metals, barytes, and ores of silver and gold.

In the notice, the activity to be allowed is described as “mineral exploration involving desktop studies, geo-chemistry, surface geophysics and drilling”. 

A map of the townlands affected is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/507ce-prospecting-licence-notices/ The notice states that, where possible, the details will also be made available at Ennis Garda Station, Clare County Council and the Geological Survey of Ireland in Dublin. 

The Department has stated that a prospecting licence authorises exploration for mineral deposits, but not the mining of any minerals.

“The activities permissible under a licence are, in general, non-invasive and of minimal environmental impact,” the notice states.

“The Minister has assessed the exploration programme proposed by the company and has determined that the activities are not likely to have a significant effect on the environment.”

The Geoscience Regulation Office can be contacted by email at GSRO@DECC.gov.ie or by post to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin, D02 X285 or by phone at 01-6782668.