WE’LL SCAN FOR ‘NEXT CLOGAU’
Mining firm boss says new technology can help search for unworked gold
THE boss of a mining company that wants to restart gold extraction in North Wales says new technology can help them find the “next Clogau”.
It was announced last year that Alba Mineral Resources had snapped up a stake in Gold Mines of Wales Limited (GMOW), which owns the Clogau project situated within the Dolgellau gold belt.
George Frangeskides, Alba’s Executive Chairman, says new scanning technology can help find valuable Welsh gold in the existing Clogau mine and uncover new mines in a 104sq km area where they have exploration rights.
He said all options were open on their plans with any gold discovered, which could include involvement in producing its own gold products.
He said: “There is a double intention here.
“Firstly exploration on the Clogau mine and getting work restarted on that site.
“Secondly the option includes 104sq km of land in the Dolgellau gold belt, we want to see if we can find the next Clogau.”
He added: “We now have more technology to help us find un-worked veins in the mines.
“The scanning technology has advanced and has not so far been used on this site.
“We can build up a comprehensive 3D computer model of the Clogau mine which can help with our exploration of the site.
“This is a narrow vein and structurally complex, we need this technology and experts on board to find where any remaining gold is.”
On finding new sites, he added: “There are around 100 old workings in this area, we want to target some of the most interesting ones in the Dolgellau gold belt.”
On the gold’s future uses, he said: “All options are open to us.
“We know that Welsh gold attracts a premium and it could be that we sell to the market.
“The other option is some involvement ourselves in an integration model and the production of produce from the Welsh gold.”
Gold was last mined at Clogau in 1998.