Press release
Minister Ryan publishes the government’s new Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, has today published the government’s new 'Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining — Critical Raw Materials for the Circular Economy Transition'.
Minerals are, and will continue to be, an essential element of our daily lives and the transition to a circular economy. They are also essential to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across several sectors — for example: renewable power generation; energy storage (batteries) and transmission; and transportation. The supply of critical raw materials is an increasingly important area of EU policy, especially since Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
As the need for minerals across society will continue, it is critical that these are extracted in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, enforced by strong legislation. In that context, the policy for mineral exploration and mining is to:
The policy statement reflects an intensive public consultation process, as well as the discussions of the Advisory Group on Mineral Exploration and Mining. The members of the advisory group are drawn from the environmental, geoscientific, industry and social pillars, as well as departments and regulators.
Commenting on the new policy statement, Minster Ryan said:
"Secure supplies of minerals will be essential for us to achieve our goal of net zero emissions. At the same time, the protection of our environment and conservation of our natural heritage is paramount. This policy adopts the government’s sustainable development principles, supplementing the high level of environmental protection enforced on modern and future prospecting and mining in Ireland."
Acknowledging that public consultations on the granting or renewal of certain mineral prospecting licences have given rise to public and political debate, the Minister said:
"A key priority of the policy statement is to increase public awareness and participation in regulatory decision-making and to support the social legitimacy of mineral exploration and mining activities."
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications will continue to consult the Advisory Group on Mineral Exploration and Mining on the implementation of the policy statement, which includes a review of the regulatory processes and measures to support public awareness and participation.
The policy statement sets out principles, grouped under five themes. The five themes are of equal importance and are mutually supportive. They are:
The principles set out in the policy statement are associated with some specific actions that have been identified to implement the policy. These actions are described in a way that will allow all the issues associated with each action to be examined in detail. Some individual actions will require further consultation with stakeholders and the public.
The policy can be accessed on the department's website.
ENDS