March 2026 Exploratory Drilling Works - Advance Public Information Notice

Office address: Unit 11, Castle Street
Castlepark Industrial Estate, Ellon, AB41 9RF
Website: www.aberdeenminerals.com
Email: moc.slarenimneedreba@ofni
Freephone: 01358 747560
 

Date: 02 March 2026

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

We wish to notify the public of plans for our “Phase 3” programme of exploratory mineral drilling works at Nether Arthrath, near Ellon, AB41 8YP, as indicated in Pictures 1 and 2. Four new boreholes are proposed at the site.

The drilling forms part of Aberdeen Minerals’ ongoing assessment of naturally occurring deposits of nickel, copper and cobalt minerals which were first discovered and drilled at Arthrath in the 1960s and 70s. The company has already completed 21 boreholes at the site between 2023 and 2025. The area is identified as a mineral safeguarded site in the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023.

Nickel and cobalt are classed by the UK as “critical minerals” due to their importance to the country’s economic interests, and copper is recognised as a “growth mineral” due to its high demand for the electrification of energy systems. Aberdeen Minerals is working in partnership with local landowners to assess the economic potential for these metals in Aberdeenshire.

The planned works will involve two small rotary drill rigs (Picture 3) and supporting equipment to be provided by Priority Drilling UK Ltd. Two to three drillers will operate each rig. The rig will drill a small diameter (100-120 mm), angled borehole into the ground to recover a continuous “core” of rock. The boreholes will reach over 300 metres vertical depth.

Our geologists will use the core to measure the properties of the rocks and take samples for further investigation.

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

Equipment mobilisation to the site and drilling works are due to commence after 9^th March, and are expected to continue for a period of at least six to eight weeks. All works are carried out in cooperation with the landowners. In accordance with the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, operations will be carried out between the hours of 7am and 6pm only. They will also be carried out in accordance with The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011.

We aim to minimise disruption to local residents and farming operations. There may be brief periods when the section of minor road past Upper Arthrath farm is used to onload and unload equipment. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to users of this route. The company is contacting properties in the immediate vicinity of the site with more information.

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