Consultation on the Draft Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining

Consultation on the Draft Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining

by Eoin Deegan, Principal Officer, Geoscience Policy Division

On 30 July 2021, the Geoscience Policy Division in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications published a Draft Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining for consultation.

In parallel with the policy development, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment were undertaken on the draft Policy Statement. The Department is seeking views on: • the Draft Policy Statement for Mineral

Exploration and Mining in Ireland • the Environmental Report prepared as part of the Strategic Environmental

Assessment process • the Natura Impact Statement prepared as part of the Appropriate

Assessment process These documents are available at www.gov.ie/mineralconsultation and the closing date for submissions is 5.30pm 15 October 2021. The Draft Policy Statement has identified key principles under five themes and five key priorities to achieve a robust and transparent regulatory framework that supports environmentally sustainable mineral exploration and mining and maximise the contribution that the sustainable exploration and mining sector makes to our society, economic development and the transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. KEY PRINCIPLES

1. Robust Regulation: Maintain and improve the robust regulatory regime for mineral exploration activity and mining. 2. Increasing awareness and participation:

Further support public awareness and engagement around the importance of minerals and facilitate greater transparency and participation in the decision-making processes. 3. Sustainable development: Maintain and improve the sustainability of the mineral sector in Ireland, ensure sector techniques and practices are optimised and aligned to overarching national and international policies, climate goals, biodiversity, natural and built heritage objectives and regularly review the schedule of minerals for which prospecting is permitted, against criteria such as potential end uses, circularity and critical raw material status. 4. Building capacity and access to knowledge: Ensure Irish mineral sector expertise, research mineral potential and support geoscience data analytics and research capacity. 5. International co-operation: Promote expertise of Irish mineral industry abroad, participate in international research initiatives and ensure responsible supply chains. KEY PRIORITIES

1. Building Public Understanding and

Trust: Increase transparency in decision

making processes, develop a minerals communication strategy, a roadmap for historic mine sites and establish a minerals advisory group. 2. Enhancing the Regulatory Framework: ensure separation between policy and regulation, not issue prospecting licences, mining licenses or leases for coal, lignite and oil shale, in accordance with the

Circular Economy Bill, 2021 and review regulatory framework. 3. Research on the role of minerals in the transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050: better understanding of minerals in supply chains originating, transiting and ending in Ireland to meet 2050 climate goals and research of exploration and mining techniques. 4. Better data enhancing policy and decision-making: support greater use of technical data for decision making and cross sectoral applications. 5. Monitoring, Review and Reporting:

Monitor and report on Policy Statement every two years and review at least every three years.