Overview
Aberdeen Minerals has been working with local landowners since 2018 and currently has a first-mover advantage with strong relationships with key landowners – Aurum Exploration Services, which is engaged as Aberdeen Minerals’ technical advisor, has experience in working in the area since 2004.
Highlights:
- Secured landowner access and exploration agreements across its principal target areas in North East Scotland covering approximately 7,400 hectares.
- A district-scale heliborne electromagnetic geophysical survey (SkyTEM) in September 2022 delivered proprietary vectoring data and provides unique visibility on structure and potential feeder zones.
- Drilling at the Arthrath Project has confirmed a large sulphide system and included breakthrough intercepts of massive sulphide mineralisation.
- Positive mineralogy results indicate that all nickel, cobalt and copper are in sulphide mineral forms readily amenable to froth flotation processing.
Notes:
- Base metal mineral rights in the UK vest in the freehold landholder (unless severed), not the Crown
- Establishing an exploration package of scale requires on the ground co-operation with landowners
- Exploration and access agreements secured with landholders over 7,400 hectares (74km2) to date & growing
- Gentle topography, moderate climate, and open to year-round exploration work
- Excellent infrastructure – national roads, grid power and deep-water port
- Skilled workforce – Aberdeen’s offshore industry
- Supportive local and national government
- Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan identifies the Arthrath deposit as a “safeguarded site” whereby other forms of development are discouraged to prevent mineral resources being sterilised
- Active extractive industry in Scotland: Cononish gold mine, Tyndrum; Foss & Duntanlich barite mines, Perthshire; quartz sand mine at Lochaline & other substantial quarrying activities including many in the North East
- Coordinated policy consultation via industry body Critical Minerals Association
