Economy, Mining

Although mining plays a relatively minor role in the Irish economy, discoveries of new deposits in recent decades have led to a considerable expansion of mineral production. Mineral output in 2000 included 262,900 metric tons of zinc and 58,600 metric tons of lead. Ireland is one of the leading exporters of lead and zinc in Europe. Natural gas is extracted off the southwestern coast; yearly output in 1999 was 1.4 billion cubic meters (50 billion cubic feet). Peat is dug in large quantities for domestic and industrial fuel and also for horticultural purposes; output in 1996 was 6.7 million metric tons.