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Precious metals discovered in the North TRACES of precious
metals such as gold and platinum have been discovered in the North of
Ireland, a geological study of the country’s natural resources has
found.
Nine exploration and mining companies now want to carry out further examinations
of areas which were explored.
This is according to Garth Earls, director of Geological Survey Northern
Ireland (GSNI), who said it is expected that any gold mining development
could add at least £20million into an already thriving North of
Ireland economy.
Mr Earls said that the chances of bedrock gold under the rich soil of
North Down and parts of Co. Derry and Antrim were high. The source was
found during the Tellus Project, a scientific initiative which commenced
in 2004 and involved a land-based geochemical survey and an airborne geophysical
survey.
Economy Minister Nigel Dodds said the North is now the most surveyed part
of the planet.
He said: “The geological data generated from the Tellus Project
will help to develop the North’s economy.
“All economies depend to some extent on the availability of natural
resources. Similar surveys in other countries, such as Australia, have
resulted in significant increases in inward investment.”
Minister Dodds added that the project will have a major informative impact
on the North’s economic, environmental, agricultural and health
sectors for years to come.
“This research will make a significant contribution to the development
of long-term policy planning,” he said.
The project also uncovered a source of geothermal energy in Co. Antrim
which could have the potential to
provide heat and electricity for the North’s towns and cities.
Scientists discovered a subterranean water source 3,000 metres under Larne
which reaches temperatures close to boiling point.
The project’s £6.3million costs were paid by the Department
of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
(DETI) and through an EU rural development programme. |
