Background
Application for the license required for exploration drilling was submitted by BLL to the Geoscience regulations office on the 6th of July 2023. The elements included in the application as required by GSRO are as follows.
- The environmental screening report.
- The drilling plan for depth of each drill hole and coordinates of each drill pad/site.
- A noise pollution plan calculating predicted decibel level of drill rig at nearest receptor (closest house to working area).
- Safety data sheet for ‘DD 2000’ and ‘DD Xpress’- drilling fluid additives used for binding coarser drilling fragments. (Both chemicals are GSRO approved and biodegradable).
- Standard operating procedures for Spillage management, refueling on-site, the water filtration system, and water returns from borehole.
GSRO Approval
GSRO granted approval on the drilling license application on the 17th of August 2023. Referring to the BLL submission to drill within an area of 0. 827km2 in Coillte forest at Moylisha Hill. GSRO have determined, based on information provided by BLL that proposed drilling activity will not have a significant effect on any special areas of conservation (SAC). Accordingly, Stage II Appropriate Assessment is not required. In accordance with Regulation 8A(4) of the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Minerals Development Act 1940) Regulations 2018, GSRO has also assessed whether the proposed drilling requires screening for EIA, based on Blackstairs’ submission in respect of various criteria set out in SI No 384 of 2018.
As the proposed activity area is likely to exceed 1 hectare, the GSRO determined that the proposed drilling at this site did require screening for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). An independent environmental assessor carried out a screening for EIA for the proposed drilling. The assessor has determined that significant environmental effects are not considered likely to occur and so the proposed activity is not considered to fall within the remit of the EIA Regulations. significant environmental effects are not considered likely to occur and so the proposed activity is not considered to fall within the remit of the EIA Regulations.
This determination is for a maximum of 40 drillholes and will be valid for a period of 2 years until the 17th of August 2025. Beyond this date, further screening of this area will be required. No drilling can be carried out within the exclusion zones provided by BLL for this area. Exclusion zones include SAC’s and Special Preservation Areas (SPA).
Groundwater Quality
GSRO has concluded that the risk posed by the discharge activity to groundwater quality is low on the basis that the water is UV treated for all drillholes. The GSRO requires Blackstairs to submit water analysis results demonstrating the effectiveness of the water treatment system in operation. GSRO have reaffirmed that it is imperative that no drilling returns are allowed to directly enter any watercourse.
Noise Level
GSRO further notes that noise levels from the drilling activity at the location provided are predicted to fall below 55dB at the nearest noise sensitive location. If necessary, BLL will instruct the drilling company to implement measures such as sound curtains around drilling pad to ensure that noise at the nearest noise sensitive location does not exceed 55dB.
Uisce Éireann/ Irish Water
Irish Water have provided details on distances to their infrastructure, water supply zones, abstraction points, nearest zones of contribution, etc. If BLL wishes to change any drillhole surface location, the GSRO requires at least 14 days’ notice to consult with Irish Water.
Tree Felling
In relation to how BLL’s application interacts with forestry, the GSRO acknowledges confirmation received from BLL in an email dated 20 July 2023 that felling of up to 100 Sitka spruce trees has been discussed with Coillte and that any such felling will be carried out by Coillte operatives. Now that approval has been granted by GSRO, BLL must now provide; (a) A copy of the written agreement between Blackstairs and Coillte in relation to the proposed felling operations.
(b) Confirmation that a specialist be appointed in advance to inspect the tress for protected species under the Wildlife Acts (to this end, confirmation from Coillte that it will be responsible for this step as part of operations carried out in accordance with the Forest Service regulatory requirements will suffice).
Reporting to GSRO
BLL are required to submit weekly progress reports to the GSRO. The first report must be submitted 2 days before mobilization. All drilling activities are to be reported in one report. The final report should be submitted once the remediation of the site is complete. Every report submitted must be accompanied by a photograph of each drill site.
Request for permission from Coillte
All drilling operations for this phase of exploration will take place in Coillte forestry. BLL representatives will meet with Coillte in mid to late August to make the official request for permission to conduct the drilling program. This will be the final piece of mandatory approval required by BLL to commence drilling operations. Following submission of request, Priority Drilling Ltd. have indicated that drill rigs can be mobilized in 14 days.