Irish exploration company Minco says it will have to take hard decisions as it holdings come up for renewal in the coming months because of the current low prices for zinc and gold.
The company is finding it increasingly difficult to attract and hold joint venture partners for its Irish licences, with its final active partner, Noranda, halting all its Irish operations last year for budgetary reasons.
Minco says its Pallasgreen project in County Limerick has all of the requirements for a major zinc deposit but needs a substantial drilling and prospecting programme.
The company recorded pre-tax losses of €115,000 for the year to the end of April.
