News that Australian company, Meekatharra Minerals, plans to build a massive £750 million (£952 million)power plant in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, should provide a jobs bonanza for the sleepy Northern Ireland town.

The plant will be powered by the large lignite mine located outside Ballymoney which is said to guarantee several decades of operation.

However, the Margin received an interesting reply to queries about the jobs outlook when the mine is eventually exhuasted. Will there be a replacement industry?

It seems that may depend on how desperately the townsfolk need the employment. As it happens, there is - according to Meekatharra - a potentially even larger lignite mine right under their feet - in the main square of the town. But no one is betting on planning permission being obtained for that particular project.