Irish Mining and Exploration Group (IMEG)
IMEG's objectives include:
- promoting a climate for the orderly development of minerals exploration and mining in Ireland.
- promoting a policy of minerals development which balances a caring attitude to the protection of human health and the natural environment with the need to meet the material needs of society.
Ireland is the largest producer of zinc concentrates in the EU and one of the ten largest in the world. Ireland's modern mining industry is conducted by companies and professionals in a socially responsible manner and to the highest environmental standards.
The mining and exploration sector makes a very significant contribution to the Irish economy, particularly to local rural economies, where the mines are among the biggest employers in their regions;
The industry directly employs 1,200 people and over 3,000 in support and downstream jobs
Exploration
The discovery of new mineral deposits is necessary to meet the ever increasing demand in the EU and globally for mineral resources. Ireland has a favourable geology for further discoveries of base metals and other orebodies including gold.
Exploration activity in Ireland has increased over the past few years with encouraging results reported by a number of companies.