Scotgold to go mining

GOLD MINING operations at Scotland’s Cononish prospect could be under way within months after a C row n Estate lease for the development went unchallenged, writes Graham Huband, business editor.

Opponents of the project near Tyndrum in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park had three months in which to lodge objections to the scheme but the deadline has now passed.

Scotgold — which recently announced it had found evidence of platinum deposits in the region in addition to gold and silver — said it now hoped to start preparatory operations within the mine in the final quarter of 2012 and expected the first gold production a year later.

The company is continuing to look for financial backing for the scheme and said it remained in discussions with various parties.

The firm also said it was working closiely with the National Parks planning authority over detailed arrangements for the development in order to satisfy a number of outstanding conditions placed on the scheme.

Issues under negotiation include decommissioning and restoration plans for the site, detailed construction method statements, peat handling plans and proposals for wider improvements in the Cononish glen.

Scot gold said it expected to meet all of the conditions within the next four months.