Minerals Development Act 2017

Chapter 3

Public Interest

Public Interest in respect of mining licence

84. Without prejudice to the Minister’s discretion to consider other factors, the Minister shall consider the following in assessing the public interest in respect of an application for a mining licence:

(a) the economic benefits to the region in which the area to be worked is located and to the State;

(b) the importance of the minerals concerned to the economies of the State and the European Union;

(c) sustainable development, being development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs;

(d) the policies of the Government.