MINEX Europe * 27-30 October 2026, Trim, Ireland✦

Session 5

16:20 – 18:00 / 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.

Moderator
Sean Finlay
Chair
Geoscience Ireland
Speakers:

16:20 From Mineral Potential to Financeable Mines: Ireland’s Role in Europe’s Raw Materials Future
Paul Quirk
Co-Managing Partner
The Irish Minerals Fund

16:35 - Mining the all-island opportunity
Ciaran McCreanor
Stakeholder Relations, Business Lead
Dalradian

16:50 - The Tynagh Project - Tailings Recycling and Hardrock Polymetallic Exploration Updates
Aiden Lavelle
General Manager
Northmin Corporation

17:05 - Mineral Exploration in Ireland – A Renewable Industry: The Minco Experience
John Clifford
Director - Exploration
Minco Exploration

17:20 - A District-Scale Gold Opportunity in Ireland
Kevin McNulty
Senior Geologist
Conroy Gold and Natural Resources

17:35 - Mining With Purpose: Rethinking Responsibility Across Ireland’s Mining Sector
Aileen Doran
Sustainability & Raw Materials Consultant
Satarla

17:50 - Beyond Membership: Supporting Ireland's Geoscience Professionals
Emer Blackwell
Treasurer
Institute of Geologists of Ireland