Ireland is the largest producer of zinc in Europe, and among the top ten producers in the world.

It was legislative changes that attracted the exploration and mining industry to Ireland. Although a comprehensive Minerals Development Act was introduced in 1940, it was not until the complementary Finance Act of 1956 was in place that Ireland’s modern phase of exploration and development began.

The first significant zinc-lead discovery of modern times was made in 1961 when Northgate Exploration, through its subsidiary Irish Base Metals Ltd., discovered the Tynagh lead-zinc-silver-copper deposit in County Galway. Then, in 1970, Tara Exploration and Development Company Ltd. discovered the Navan deposit. Ireland was now producing more zinc than the whole of Europe put together, and the question of building a national zinc refinery or 'smelter' was raised.

The original plans envisaged the smelter being located near Cork, but the final plans located the proposed smelter at Ballylongford, Co. Kerry at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary. The mining companies approached the IDA for support in 1976 and the IDA earmarked part of their landbank on the Shannon Estuary.

This documentary from 1980 looks at the pros and cons of having a zinc smelting plant in Ireland. The background to zinc smelting is examined along with the potential market for zinc, the effect of rising costs, and the Government's approach to the project.

Produced by Eugene Murray

Presented by Colum Kenny

First broadcast February 1980

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