Plans to search for gold at former Welsh mines

A mineral firm wants to re-start gold mining in north Wales.

It comes as Alba Mineral Resources confirmed it has taken a 49% interest in Gold Mines of Wales Limited (GMOW), which owns the Clogau Gold Project situated within the Dolgellau gold belt.

The project comprises the Clogau Gold Mine - where mining ended in 1998 - and includes a large number of highly prospective gold targets and former gold workings.

Alba’s review of the project concludes that there is a high potential to find unworked veins containing gold mineralisation of similar grade to that known in historic mines in the area.

The focus will be on bringing the Clogau Gold Mine in Bontddu back into production and also making a push into the regional exploration of the wider project area.

Bodelwyddan based jewellery firm Clogau has previously purchased the Gwynfynydd mine in the Dolgellau gold belt with the hope of re-starting the historic industry in Wales.

This latest development is not related to the successful jewellery brand.

George Frangeskides, Alba’s executive chairman, said: “We are delighted to announce that we have secured a significant stake in the Clogau Gold Project.

“The project fits squarely within Alba’s strategy to identify projects which include former working mines which have both near-mine expansion potential but also have significant exploration upside in the wider project area.