THE £120 million development of a lead and zinc mine at Lisheen in north Tipperary may have to be delayed, following an appeal to An Bord Pleanala by a local businesswoman.

The appeal was lodged last week by Ms Mary Ellen Sheehy, who runs a rabbit colony and environmentally-based business close to the proposed mine site. An Bord Pleanala has set a provisional date of January 10th, 1997 for its decision on whether the appeal should be upheld. It does, however, have the discretion to further delay its decision.

The project may also attract further objections before the cut-off date for the lodging of appeals with the planning authorities on Monday next.

A spokesman for Minorco, the developers of the mine, said the company was waiting to assess the basis for the appeal but stressed that it would not have any far-reaching financial implications for the development.

Ms Sheehy's business is situated close to the site of a number of proposed tunnels which will run from the mine and she is concerned that gas emissions could be damaging to her business.

Ivernia West and Minorco/ Lisheen have been preparing to begin construction shortly on the mine, having been granted planning permission by Tipperary County Council last month. The permission was granted subject to 21 conditions.

The mine will take two years to build and the developers expect it will generate over 700 construction-related jobs in the area. When the mine is fully operational, it will employ between 350 and 500 people.

The mine has a projected life span of about 14 years and 18 million tonnes of lead/zinc, but the developers believe its life can be extended. The Lisheen mine is close to another being developed by Arcon International Resources at Galmoy, Co Kilkenny. That mine ran into strong opposition from local groups concerned about the impact on the surrounding lands.