Aberdeen Minerals announces the start of its “Phase 2B” mineral drilling works at the Arthrath Project in North-east Scotland, where it is exploring for resources of nickel, copper and cobalt.
These metals are used in batteries and electrification making them strategically important raw materials essential to an energy transition in Scotland and the UK, however currently the country has no primary production.
The new drilling follows on from 2024’s Phase 2A campaign, which produced some of the best mineralisation encountered over the history of the project.
Fraser Gardiner, chief executive officer of Aberdeen Minerals, commented: “Last year’s drilling provided the strongest encouragement yet of increasing economic potential at Arthrath, pointing our team towards the deeper areas of the deposit where we expect to find the highest mineral concentrations.
"The new campaign is an exciting next step for our ongoing investment in North-east Scotland, at a time when the strategic importance of resilient mineral supply chains is making global headlines.”
Five new boreholes are planned for a total of 2,400 metres of drilling. Drilling has commenced and will be ongoing at the site until mid-August.
A small mineral rig operated under contract by Priority Drilling UK Ltd will drill angled boreholes to collect rock core samples to around 400 metres vertical depth below the ground surface.
Activities will be carried out in accordance with the General Permitted Development (Scotland) Order 1992, the General Binding Rules of the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011, and licencing from SEPA covering deep borehole construction and operation.
All work is done in cooperation with landowners; residents neighbouring the site have been informed and the company is appreciative towards its host community.
A Public Information Notice with more information can be found at https://aberdeenminerals.com/news/public-notices/.
The work programme is privately funded through a capital raising completed in May 2024 which included a £3million initial investment by UK mining company Central Asia Metals Plc and £0.5million from other investors.