The focus of public consultations on ongoing mining survey work in the Galloway hills switches to Dalry today.
JDH Exploration has held drop in events in Newton Stewart and Gatehouse in recent weeks to update local communities.
Now it’s Dalry’s turn as the company – a subsidiary of Australian mining giant Walkabout – continues its search for valuable and precious metals.
Community Council members have been updated on developments and are now urging the public to attend today’s drop-in sessions in the town hall between 2pm-4pm and 5.30pm-7.30pm.
Chairman Graham West said: “Whilst at a very early stage we would ask the Dalry and surrounding communities to attend if possible, ask plenty of questions and if any concerns inform us of them to take forward on their behalf.
“The community council has raised environmental concerns in regards to the operational issues and impact to the landscape, watercourses and area in general during the life cycle of any potential mine.”
Recent assay results of bore samples taken from around Blackcraig, a former lead mining area between Creetown and Newton Stewart, proved inconclusive.
Analysis of one sample found 12 per cent zinc – indicating a rich deposit of the metal – while another contained almost five per cent lead.
However, on their own neither was sufficient to suggest deposits could be extensive or rich enough to warrant exploitation.
Doubts have since emerged over timescales for further prospecting in Galloway after Walkabout ran into delays on a mine development in Tanzania.
Galloway Against Mining member Claire Taylor said: “Further exploration in Galloway appears to have paused while Walkabout attempts to deal with their problems in Tanzania.
“They have now turned their attention to the Pibble area close to the historic mine workings and the Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve.
“We will be asking for regular updates about their plans for exploration at the site.”
JDH holds three exploration licences from Crown Estate Scotland for three 250 square kilometre blocks centred on Gatehouse, Dalry and Newton Stewart.
Prospecting so far has been centred at Blackcraig but attention is now switching to Pibble Hill with copper the main target.
Glenhead, between Loch Dee and Loch Trool, is also on Walkabout’s radar for possible gold mining.
JDH spokesperson Nigel Bradley confirmed samples had been collected from Pibble. However, further soil sampling and magnetic surveys had yet to be scheduled.
Asked about Glenhead, Mr Bradley confirmed that soil samples taken last autumn had produced “some promising results”.
He said: “The likely next step is a low impact drilling programme, similar to that which took place at Blackcraig. However, this has not yet been confirmed and no work timeline has been agreed upon.”
In a statement, Walkabout said: “The site of drilling on Blackcraig has been fully rehabilitated and has had no impact on the environment.
“Therefore, further low impact exploration work is necessary to build a better understanding of the mineralisation occurrences in the area.”
