Session 5
16:30
– 17:30 / 28 October 2026
Barbican Suite 2
Ireland's Advanced Mining Projects: From Discovery to Development
Ireland is home to a new generation of projects seeking to build upon the country's established mining heritage. From the expansion of existing operations and brownfield opportunities to new discoveries and project restarts, developers are seeking to demonstrate that Ireland can remain a significant contributor to Europe's future mineral supply. This session provides a strategic overview of the country's most important mining and exploration projects, examining their geological potential, development status, financing requirements and pathways to production. The session will explore the challenges facing project developers, including permitting, community engagement, financing and market competitiveness, while assessing the realistic prospects for a new cycle of mining investment in Ireland. The broader question is whether Ireland is entering a genuine period of mining revival or merely witnessing isolated project successes.