Silvermines

Rehabilitation of Silvermines Historic Mine Sites

Background

On the 4th August 2005 the Minister for Communication, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D. announced the provision of €10.6m funding by the State for the rehabilitation of the old mining sites at the Silvermines, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

North Tipperary County Council is responsible for having the rehabilitation scheme executed and the project will be carried out in accordance with the revised SRK Consulting Conceptual Plan for the Management and Rehabilitation of the Silvermines Area.

Consultation Process

A Local Consultative Committee was selected at a public meeting on the 1st December, 2005 and comprises of representatives from the Silvermines Community and from individual sites in the project area. Regular meetings are being held with this Group.

The Inter Agency Group (IAG) was re-established and held its first meeting in the Civic Offices on 17th February, 2006. This Group comprises representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Health Services Executive, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Geological Survey of Ireland, the Central Fisheries Board, North Tipperary County Council and the local community. It is envisaged that the expertise and experience of this group will play an important advisory role as the project is advanced and meetings will be held as required.

Work Programme

Golder Associates Ireland was appointed Design Consultants for the project on 19th June, 2006. It is anticipated that this major rehabilitation project will be phased over a three to four year period and that site work will commence in 2007. The sites where works will be carried out are Gortmore, Garryard, Shallee, Magcobar, Gorteenadiha and Ballygown. SRK Consultants (UK) Ltd. was appointed project consultants in Feb. 2009 to complete the Silvermines Rehabilitation Project.

Project Works Update

Remediation works contract signed with the Silvermines Project

Gortmore Tailings Management Facility (TMF) Rehabilitation of the TMF has been successfully completed:-

Phase 1 completed December 2008 by Priority Construction Ltd

Phase 2 completed June 2010 by SIAC Construction Ltd.

Minor Remediation Works

16th August commencement of Works-Site headquarters located at Magcobar.

Works included: Demolition; Shaft safety works; Safety fencing (open pits etc); Drainage improvement / diversion works; Earthworks.

All works completed and cert of substantial completion issued in Feb. 2011, remaining snag items completed in Aug./Sept. 2011.

Garryard Passive Treatment System (PTS) will initially accept mine influenced waters from Knight Shaft and Mogul Yard and subsequent discharge from Garryard Mine Waste Management Facility once development is completed. PTS will comprise: Attenuation pond, Settlement ponds, Two wetlands cells, Two anaerobic cells, Mixing pond.

Part 8 planning granted on 17th May 2010
Section 4 Discharge licence application submitted in May 2010, granted on 18^th November 2010.

Garryard Mine Waste management Facility (MWMF) An engineered mine waste facility at Garryard (behind rail track by the old Mogul buildings), EIS submitted to ABP 12th February 2010, NTCC is planning applicant. Planning granted in March 2012.

In the context of the current economic situation, funding for Dept. of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources capital projects, including the Silvermines project, was reduced and in consequence this necessitated a rephasing of previously anticipated elements of the project.

The Minister of State has agreed that the remediation works planned for Garryard will not proceed until such time as sufficient funds are in place to execute the full project to completion, and has agreed not to proceed with the application for a waste licence from the EPA or take any action in respect to the granted planning permission until there is a real prospect of the project being able to proceed within the life of the licence.

Monitoring

Contracts will be put in place to provide for continued monitoring of the Silvermines sites to ensure no significant change in conditions occurs without detection.

View the Rehabilitation Plan particulars online

Further information/Related Documentation:

Silverines Report - Pdf Document 4.2MB)

Garryard Passive Treatment System (PTS) & Other Remediation Works - Part 8 Planning Application North Tipperary County Council gives notice of its intention to carry out developments at Silvermines in conjunction with the overall Silvermines Rehabilitation Project. Garryard PTS & Other Works Notice 48KB)

Garryard PTS & Other Remediation Works (Description of Proposed Development) - Zip File (31MB)

Garryard PTS & Other Remediation Works (Plans & Drawings) - Zip File (30MB)

Garryard EIS Public Consultation North Tipperary County Council gives notice of an application to An Bord Pleanala for approval for a Strategic Infrastructure Development at Garryard Tailings Lagoon Garryard EIS Notice - Pdf Document 8KB) An amended newspaper notice is issued in February 2011 at the request of An Bord Pleanala (244KB). There are no other changes to the application.