Planning permission has been granted for development of a new BioProducts campus at the former Lisheen Mine site near Moyne, Thurles. The news has been welcomed by Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill.
The extensive campus is well serviced with water and high voltage energy networks.
Mining of zinc and lead at the site formerly operated by Vedanta ceased in 2015 although it took five years to acquire the mine closure completion certificate from the Environmental Protection Agency.
The project is expected to lead to the creation of at least 30 on-site jobs and also contribute to reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions.
The site is almost 14 hectares in size and includes a windfarm.
Tipperary county council approved the development with a 10 year permission that has 20 conditions attached.
NaringTech Limited will lead the development.
which consists of an integrated Compost / Growing Media Facility, a Anaerobic Digestion Facility as well as a Bio refinery.
The integrated Compost / Growing Media Facility and Anaerobic Digestion Facility will accept up to 80,000 tonnes of waste materials per annum.
A new site access will be provided on the R502 in addition to 4 weighbridges.
It is expected to enable the transformation of both dairy food industry and forestry by-products, as well as the contents of brown household bins, into valuable and sustainable end products such as yeast, renewable electricity, biomethane, organic fertiliser and horticultural compost.
When completed, the facility will generate sufficient biomethane or renewable electricity to power 33,000 homes.
Deputy Cahill highlighted that the project is a prime example of what the Lisheen site and new, environmentally conscious industries have to offer for the local economy and is confident that the campus will attract other operators in the circular economy and eco-friendly industry sector in the future.
