July-September 2024 Exploratory Drilling Works - Public Information Notice

Unit 8, Castle Street
Castlepark Industrial Estate, Ellon, AB41 9RF
Website: www.aberdeenminerals.com
Email: moc.slarenimneedreba@ofni
Freephone: 0800 047 8736
 

Date: 24 June 2024

Public Information Notice
Exploratory Mineral Drilling Works at Arthrath, near Ellon

We are planning to carry out a programme of daytime, exploratory mineral drilling works at the Upper Arthrath and Nether Arthrath farm properties, near Ellon, AB41 8YP, as indicated in Picture 1.

The drilling forms part of Aberdeen Minerals’ ongoing work to research and assess the deposits of nickel, copper and cobalt minerals which were first discovered and drilled in the Arthrath area in the 1960s and ‘70s. The current phase of work follows up on our completion of nine boreholes at the same site across two campaigns during 2023. 

In this new programme, six boreholes will be drilled to collect more samples for laboratory testing to further investigate the properties of the mineralised rocks below the surface as part of our ongoing mineral appraisal. The objective of this programme is to test the quantity and quality of mineral enrichment below the levels that were already tested by historical drilling.

The drilling work will comprise two small drill rigs (Picture 2) and supporting equipment which are being provided by Priority Drilling UK Limited. Two to three drillers will operate each rig. Each rig will drill a small diameter (100-120 mm), angled hole into the ground to recover a continuous “core” of rock (Picture 3). Our geologists will then use the core to study and measure the properties of the rocks and minerals and take samples for further investigation.

Our ongoing investigations are preliminary and exploratory in nature at this time, and the results will be used in combination with other survey information to advance the mineral appraisal at this location.

The drilling works are due to commence around 12th July and they are scheduled to continue until mid September. In accordance with Class 53 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 (as amended), operations will be carried out between the hours of 7am and 6pm only. They will also be carried out in accordance with General Binding Rule 3 of The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (as amended).

We aim to minimise disruption to residents and farming operations. In this respect we advise that the section of minor road past Upper Arthrath farm may be blocked for a very brief period to unload equipment when it is delivered to the site during the week commencing 8th July, and again at the end of the works. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause to users of this route.

If you have any questions about these plans, please contact us using the details at the top of this letter.

More information about Aberdeen Minerals is available on our website www.aberdeenminerals.com.

On behalf of Aberdeen Minerals,

Fraser Gardiner
Chief Executive Officer