An Bord Pleanála is considering an appeal over the project.
Plans to reopen a zinc and lead mine on the Laois/Kilkenny border have been put on hold.
Shanoon Resources Limited was granted permission by Kilkenny County Council in June to recommence mining at the former Galmoy mine.
It's situated two kilometres from the Laois border and seven kilometres from Rathdowney.
However, Inland Fisheries Ireland claims its ecological concerns with the project have not been addressed and has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála.
IFI is the statutory body tasked with responsibility for the protection, management, and conservation of Ireland's freshwater fish and habitats.
Ireland's rivers are divided into several smaller water bodies, called surface water bodies, each section of which is designated an ecological status.
In the context of its statutory remit, its concerns regard the impact on the ecological status of the receiving surface water bodies and is of the view that these concerns have not been adequately addressed.
In its appeal, IFI states that Shanoon Resources has not demonstrated that the proposed treatment systems for the development are consistent with restoration of these surface water bodies to ‘Good Ecological Status’ as required by the Water Framework Directive.
This section of the Goul River currently has ‘Moderate Ecological Status’ and is considered at risk of not meeting ‘Good Ecological Status’.
The planning regulator is due to decide on the case by November 16th.
A separate application to extend the mine into the townland of Kyle in Laois is currently being considered by Laois County Council, with a decision due by September 5th.
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