A mine located on the Laois / Kilkenny border is set to reopen next year, bringing almost 200 employment opportunities for Laois locals.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live can confirm that Irish mining company Shanoon Resources Ltd plans to reopen the Galmoy Mine to recover the significant quantities of ore reserves remaining on site, following the mines closure in 2012.

The 442 hectare mining site, located 3.5 kilometres from Galmoy village in Kilkenny and 2.4 kilometres from Kyle in Laois, is currently under development. Surface facilities are currently under construction, with much of the mine's original infrastructure still in place. 

The development received planning permission from Kilkenny County Council and Laois County Council in 2023. In their planning application, the company shared that 100 jobs would be created during the estimated 12 months of construction phase, and around 90 would be employed during the mining phase.

Pictured: Galmoy mine. Photo: Google maps

Significant deposits of zinc, lead and silver ore remained following the mine closure. Shanoon Resources has revealed that they plan to mine up to 300,000 tonnes of ore each year, once operating at full capacity.

Laois County Council approved the underground extension in Laois subject to 44 conditions on Monday, January 23.  The planning application sought to develop an underground mine extension to the former Galmoy Zinc & Lead Mine. 

The company is also carrying out exploration programmes in the area to identify any further ore that could be recovered in addition to the known reserve.

The proposed operation has also received full environmental licences form the EPA. This license regulates the environmental performance of the mine, covering emissions to air and water, noise, waste generation, and requiring the submission of a Closure and Remediation Management Plan (CRAMP).

The underground mine was originally operated from 1997 by Arcon international Resources, and then by Lundin Mining from 2005 to 2012. The company has confirmed that they expect to be fully operational in mining ore by summer of 2026.

"The mine has much of its original infrastructure still in place, allowing the project to progress efficiently," Shanoon Resources shared.

"We expect to begin production of ore in Q2 2026. The expectation is that the reopened mine will have a lifetime of seven to ten years once it re-commences operations," they said.

Pictured: Galmoy mine

"Zinc silver and lead are critical metals for the development of renewable technologies and sustainable infrastructure Global demand for these metals will increase alongside renewable energy adoption.

"The operation of the reopened mine will differ from before as Shanoon Resources plan is to only extract the underground minerals not το prodess the are on site as was previously done," the company explained.

Alternatively, the company intend to sort and extract high grade ore, which will be exported off site for processing in Europe.

"It is not processing the ore and will not produce tailings, nor will it have to store tailings. Additionally, a new state of the art water treatment plant will treat any water extracted from the mine, operating in compliance with the Environmental Licence issued by the EPA," Shanoon Resources said.

"During the construction period, various local contractors have been appointed to carry out construction works," the company said.

"The operational team is being built up and once complete will provide 90 permanent jobs, with Shanoon committed to employing as many local people as possible."

Pictured: Galmoy mine

The mining company stated that the team overseeing these works are 'a group of experienced industry operatives and senior management' from Lisheen mine, who have 'significant experience' and are familiar with Galmoy's surrounding region.

The company expressed that they are 'proud' to be undertaking this project, to supply 'much needed raw materials' and 'provide local jobs'.

"We are also looking forward to working with the community, including support from local sporting organisations like Galmoy GAA club, Rathdowney Golf Club and the camogie teams from Galmoy, Crosspatrick and Johnstown St Anne's School," Shanoon Resources finished.

Read Next: Coming soon! Pick up the latest edition of Laois Life magazine