Sustainable development

Lisheen zinc and lead mine in County Tipperary, Ireland

A wind farm is being established at Anglo American Lisheen zinc and lead mine in County Tipperary, Ireland, which will benefit the operation, its employees and the community. It will also leave a positive legacy after mine closure.

The Lisheen mine site has been identified as the ideal location to build a wind farm that will produce clean and, ultimately, cheaper electricity. This site is ready-made for the establishment of a wind farm as it has an existing sub-station, an overhead connection to the national power grid, attendant infrastructure and plenty of wind.

Turbine delivery started in February 2009, with project completion scheduled for later in the year. The establishment of the wind farm follows four years of research and data capturing on site by Lisheen, as well as extensive consultation with the local community, regulatory bodies and NGOs.

The wind farm complies with environmental regulations and ties in with Anglo American's sustainable development objectives, improved energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

The project entails building 18 turbines, each with a 2 MW output and a combined output of 36 MW - enough to power more than 25,000 homes. The power generated will be supplied directly to the national grid and is expected to reduce national carbon dioxide emissions by 100,000 tonnes per annum.

Lisheen sold its interest in the wind farm - including the planning permission and the permit for connection to the national electricity grid - in early 2008 to renewable energy company SWS Natural Resources. The mine, however, is leasing the land on which the wind farm is located to the developer and retains an interest in the project through the payment of an annual royalty.

Lisheen is the largest employer in the area. The construction phase of the wind farm project resulted in 70 more local workers being employed. In addition, and as part of the planning conditions, the developer will make a significant annual financial contribution towards community development during the life of the wind farm.