Ballinakill Quarry outside Loughrea has been given the go ahead for a massive expansion that will nearly quadruple its size.
Galway County Council gave approval for the marble quarry at Cregg, Loughrea to expand its operations to the south west and east of the existing quarry.
The development will cover an area of roughly 13 hectares, nearly three times more than the existing quarry which is just under five hectares.
Rock will mainly be removed from the quarry by blasting in a five stage process and processed with a mobile crusher on site.
A Natura Impact Statement submitted with the planning application states that it will have no affect on Lough Derg, the only conservation site in the area.
An Taisce made a submission regarding the application noting that An Bord Pleanála had refused a previous application for an extension on appeal.
Before any work takes place, county planners said the developer should submit a plan to rehabilitate and restore the landscape after works have taken place.
The developer was also required to hire an archaeologist to carry out further archaeological assessment of the site and notify the county council of any discoveries.
Galway county council gave permission for the development to go ahead with seven conditions attached.
