asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make an order including mining and ore prospecting to Annexe II of the European Environmental Impact Directive.
Written Answers. - Mining and Ore Prospecting.
28.
It is assumed that the Deputy's question relates to the carrying out of environmental impact assessments of mining and ore prospecting projects.
The extractive industry is among the projects listed in Annex II to European Communities Directive 85/337 concerning environmental impact assessment. The directive requires the assessment of the environmental effects of projects of a type mentioned in that annex which are likely to have significant effects on the environment. The requirements of the directive were brought into effect from 3 July 1988 in respect of those mining operations which require planning permission.