The corporate prospecting for worthwhile and uncommon metals in Kirkcudbrightshire has introduced its first survey findings.
Walkabout Sources says assay outcomes from Blackcraig point out “excessive grade” deposits requiring additional exploration.
The agency surveyed the previous lead mining space near Kirroughtree customer centre for a 12 months as much as this spring.
Now it needs to verify whether or not mineral seams are intensive sufficient to warrant doable exploitation by deep mining.
Walkabout Sources’ chief government Andrew Cunningham mentioned: “The completion of our maiden scout drilling programme over the Blackcraig prospect marks the primary exploration drilling programme within the area because the discovery of the mineralisation greater than 250 years in the past.
“As anticipated, the outcomes verify the continuation of high-grade mineralisation beneath the previous underground mine workings and are invaluable to our understanding on the controls and kind of mineralisation within the space.
“The corporate’s giant footprint in what's seen as an unexplored and probably high-grade mineralised area additional helps the necessity for a contemporary, systematic and well-planned strategy to mineral exploration in Scotland and extra broadly, the safety of provide of essential metals in the UK.”
Prime assay findings embody a bore pattern exhibiting 12 per cent zinc – a wealthy deposit of the metallic – and one other containing virtually 5 per cent lead.
The report, from Walkabout UK subsidiary JDH Exploration, states: “The assay outcomes don't present ample information to verify whether or not a mineral deposit is current in ample grade or measurement that may very well be economically mined at Blackcraig.
“Exploration is a prolonged course of composed of many steps.
“We're nonetheless a way off realizing if a mineral deposit is current at Blackcraig and, if that's the case, whether or not it's viable to be mined.
“Due to this fact, additional low impression exploration work is important to construct a greater understanding of the mineralisation occurrences within the space.”
Silver was discovered solely in hint quantities at Blackcraig – however gold may very well be current in vital portions at Glenhead close to Loch Trool.
The report provides: “The St John’s City of Dalry licence space has produced soil sampling outcomes which are encouraging within the Glenhead space.
“Though there isn't any confirmed timetable but, it's possible that sooner or later we are going to search to finish the same preliminary drilling programme to that accomplished on Blackcraig.”
The outcomes had been introduced two days forward of at the moment’s drop in classes at Newton Stewart to replace the general public on latest developments.
The classes within the McMillan Corridor run from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm.
Galloway In opposition to Mining will likely be sending representatives to query the corporate on the occasion.
The motion group held an indication on the final public assembly on the venue.
Spokesperson Kenny Campbell mentioned: “The outcomes from Blackcraig and statements from JDH Exploration and Walkabout Sources are, while fascinating, solely serving to inform the communities of Galloway that the specter of the blight of mining is continuous and actual.
“Nevertheless, in the event that they’re not going away neither are we.”