A full feasibility study was conducted by SRK, Kilborn, and Kelsey Engineering and development of the mine began in 1997.

In September 1999 the first (production) ore was brought to the surface and in December the first shipment of Zinc concentrates departed from the Port of Cork.

Lisheen was expected to produce approximately 4.83 million dry metric tonnes of zinc and lead concentrates over the estimated 14-year lifespan of the mine.

The ore was first emptied onto 'grizzly' bars which prevent oversized material from entering the crushing chamber before being fed into the underground crusher.

[citation needed] Until its closure, the mine was owned and operated by Vedanta Resources Zinc International, being acquired from Anglo American in 2011.