Planning Permission Ireland
GrantedInfrastructureDecided 15 May 2026

Hanlonstown Gainstown and Curraghtown Townlands, Hanlonstown Gainstown and Curraghtown Townlands, Hanlonstown Gainstown and Curraghtown Townlands

Extension of an underground exploration tunnel by 3 kilometres near Navan.

2561391 · Meath County Council · Lodged 18 December 2025

Reference
2561391
Authority
Meath County Council
Register status
Appealed
Type
PERMISSION
Received
18 December 2025

Summary

AI-generated

The development proposes extending the existing TRDEX underground exploration tunnel by approximately 3.0 kilometres through hard rock at depths of 1,020 to 1,200 metres. The project is intended to facilitate exploration drilling for the Tara Deep deposit, with no surface works or ore extraction proposed.

Infrastructureminingtunnelexploration

Generated from the description above by an AI model and may contain mistakes. The council’s description is the authoritative record.

Official record

Development description

To extend an underground exploration tunnel within hanlonstown, gainstown and curraghtown townlands, navan, county meath. The development will consist of extending the existing trdex underground exploration tunnel by approximately 3.0 kilometres through hard rock, from a depth of approximately 1,020 to 1,200 metres below ground level. The purpose of this extension is to facilitate exploration drilling and resource definition for the deposit known as tara deep. The proposed development will be carried out in three phases: phase 1 will extend the existing exploration tunnel by approximately 450 m; phase 2 will involve construction of a tunnel to the east, perpendicular to existing tunnel with a spiral decline of approximately 1,900 m; and phase 3 will involve construction of a parallel tunnel to the west approximately 600 m. Ancillary bays and cubbies will also be developed as smaller tunnels to facilitate exploration drilling. No surface works, ore extraction or processing will be undertaken as part of this development. Access will be from the existing underground mine. A natura impact statement (nis) will be submitted to the planning authority with the planning application. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application

Land-use zoning

What this land is zoned for

RA - Rural AreaRU
“Rural Area”

National zoning type: Mixed/general primary sector uses, including 'rural'

Objective set by the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (2021–2027). The planning authority decides each application on its own merits — this is the zoning context, not a compliance assessment.

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Key dates

Timeline

  1. Application received18 December 2025
  2. Further information requested19 February 2026
  3. Further information received25 March 2026
  4. Decision due19 May 2026
  5. Decision issued15 May 2026
  6. Appeal submitted10 June 2026

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