Company begins digging for gold
RESIDENTS TO WELCOME PROSPECTORS
AN IRISH COMPANY is to commence gold mining on the South Wicklow/north Wexford border just weeks after the biggest ever gold deposit found in Ireland or Britain was discovered in Co. Monaghan.
Connemara Mining announced its intention in recent days to commence survey work immediately at sites in Tombreen, near Carnew, Co. Wicklow and Knocknalour, a short distance from Bunclody, Co. Wexford.
The venture is a joint one between Dublin-based Connemara Mining Ltd. and Canadian company Hendrick Resources Ltd.
Connemara Mining holds four mining licenses for the Mine River licence block for an area covering 130km and previous exploration has discovered significant gold occurrences in rocks and rivers in the vicinity.
Exploration field work are to commence without delay and will include air and ground testing followed by drill testing.
Both companies believe that commercial gold deposit remains to be found in the South East.
In December 2011, a deposit valued at €55m was located in Co. Monaghan and is the largest on record in Ireland or Britain.
'We are delighted with this joint venture.
For over 200 years explorers have sought the source of the Avoca gold which led to the 1796 gold rush. Dale Hendrick founder of Hendrick is a highly experienced successful figure in Canadian exploration.
He is of the opinion that a commercial gold deposit remains to be found in south-east Ireland. This is a view long held by the founders of Connemara.
A fresh experienced eye and the application of new and improved exploration techniques, combined with our extensive database offers exciting prospects,' commented John Teeling, Chairman of Connemara Mining Ltd.
Following news of the agreed joint venture share value of the Irish company jumped by more than 20 per cent.
- DEBORAH COLEMAN
