Power cut after copter hits pylon

A HELICOPTER searching for metal deposits blacked out 1,000 homes yesterday after its equipment hit an electricity pylon.

An electromagnetic monitoring loop suspended below the helicopter struck the pylon near Balmedie, Aberdeenshire.

A total of 58 postcodes were affected.

The survey helicopter began its hunt earlier this week on behalf of Aberdeen Minerals Limited (AML) for metals including nickel, copper and cobalt. A spokesman for AML said: ‘Reports that this was a result of the geophysical array colliding with a power line are being investigated.

‘The helicopter is safely on the ground. Flight operations have been suspended.’

A spokesman for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Distribution said: ‘We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank our customers for their patience.’

Geologists believe the North-East of Scotland is rich in minerals, including metals used by battery makers amid rising demand for electric vehicles and low-carbon technologies.