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Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy
and Natural Resources Mr. Seán Power TD, has launched the
Avoca website, along with educational packs, at Woodenbridge
Hotel in the Vale of Avoca.
The website
and educational packs were developed as part of the Celtic
Copper Heritage project which was funded under the EU’s INTERREG
programme.
The project links the traditional mining areas of Avoca with
Almwch in Wales and is managed by the Eastern Regional Fisheries
Board - in collaboration with Wicklow County Council, the
Geological Survey of Ireland, the Avoca Mining Heritage Trust
and the Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland, Amlwch Industrial
Heritage Trust and the Environmental Agency in UK.
Minister Power said - “I am delighted to see such cooperation
across a wide number of bodies producing such beneficial initiatives
as walkways around the Avoca area, as well as the information
presented on the website. I hope that this will attract more
people to come and enjoy the area of Avoca and all that it
has to offer.”
The INTERREG project also investigated the treatment of mine
waters entering into the Avoca River from the now closed mines
in the area. This involved the installation of a pilot water
treatment facility which demonstrated that the water issuing
from the adits studied could be successfully treated. The
results of the pilot treatment study are being incorporated
into a broader study which is investigating the remediation
and long-term management of the site.
There are a range of complex issues at the site which include
safety, water contamination, unvegetated lands and heritage.
This study is being undertaken by the Department of Communications,
Energy and Natural Resources.
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