Residents of Flagmount and surrounding areas in northeast Co Clare found out there were minerals, including gold and silver, under their land after a notice appeared in the local press.
Minister for Natural Resources Noel Dempsey published the notice and said the minerals were not being exploited. He confirmed he intended to grant an exploration licence to Arum Mineral Resources Ltd, of Aurum House, Navan, Co Meath.
The licence will allow the company to explore the area for minerals, though it does not authorise the holder to mine in the area. The actions permissible under a prospecting licence usually have a minimal environmental impact.
The Flagmount area and the townlands of Maghera, Caher, Doorus East, Knockanena, Leaghort and the waters of Lough Graney and its islands are one of three areas targeted by prospectors in Co Clare.
Mr Dempsey also published his intention to give two other licences to Central Mining Finance Ltd, of Grosvenor Gardens, London.
The English firm intends to prospect for silver and base metals in townlands around the Bunratty area in the south of the county and in the east Clare townlands of Keelderry, Newtown and Ballymacdonnell.
On the prospect of gold at Flagmount, Pat Hayes (FF), a local member of Clare County Council, said yesterday: "I would be delighted if there was a gold mine under the land here. Whatever comes from that, the local community should benefit first."
He said prospectors had been coming to the Maghera area for years. "Since I was a young fella they have been coming to the area.I remember they found a little-known mineral called diorite in the 1960s, though it was never mined."
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