October 2023 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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aberdeenminerals
Twitter: @AberdeenMin

Date: 04 October 2023

Public Information Notice
Mineral Drilling Works at Upper Arthrath, Ellon

We are planning to carry out a brief programme of mineral exploration drilling works at the Upper Arthrath farm property, near Ellon, AB41 8YP, as indicated in Picture 1.

The drilling forms part of Aberdeen Minerals’ 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 seven boreholes at the same site between February and April 2023.

In this new programme, two boreholes will be drilled to collect fresh samples for laboratory testing to further investigate the properties of the mineralised rocks below the surface as part of our ongoing mineral appraisal.

The drilling work will use the same equipment and operating parameters as the previous programme. It will comprise one small drill rig (Picture 2) and supporting equipment which is being provided by Priority Drilling UK Limited. Two to three drillers will operate the rig. The 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 minerals and take samples for further investigation.

Our investigations are preliminary 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 in mid October and they are scheduled to last up to 28 days, with additional time allocated for setting up and decommissioning. 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 will work to minimise any disruption caused 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 (date and time are not yet confirmed), and again at the end of the work. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause to users of this route.

If you have any questions about these plans, please do not hesitate to contact us using the details at the top of this letter.

On behalf of Aberdeen Minerals,

Fraser Gardiner
Chief Executive Officer