ARCON International, the mining group 44 per cent owned by Dr Tony O'Reilly, now has estimated reserves at its Galmoy orebody of about 10 million tonnes, compared with the initial 6.25 million tonnes at which the mine was declared viable, the company indicated yesterday.

A spokesman said the exploration had gradually increased zinc reserves, and Arcon would now either extend the life of the mine beyond the original ten years or increase throughput significantly.

Arcon has been producing concentrate since the start of the year, and is now stockpiling, the spokesman said. The first shipments bound for Rotterdam, would be ready "within three or four weeks", he added.