Ireland bans mining on `holy’ mountain

The Irish government will prevent a small exploration company from mining gold on what is called a “holy” mountain in the south of Ireland. Although Burmin has a licence to explore for gold on the western edge of the mountain, and has already spent $1 million testing the deposit, the government has bowed to public opposition to the project. Croagh Patrick or “The Reek,” as the mountain is called, is a point of pilgrimage where, according to legend, St. Patrick spent 40 days in the year 441. It is said that during his pilgrimage there he banished snakes from Ireland.

In 1988, drilling indicated that Burmin’s ground contained reserves of 330,000 tons grading up to 0.5 oz. gold per ton. Toronto- based Tara Explorations has a 15% interest in Burmin.