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Is there gold in the East Clare hills?

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GEOLOGISTS could start preliminary investigations for the presence of gold in South-East Clare next spring if Natural Resources Minister, Pat Rabbitte grants a prospecting licence to a Dublin-based company.

Conroy Gold and Natural Resources are hopeful Minister Rabbitte will give the company the green light to investigate the possible location of precious minerals and metal deposits in about 50 square kilometres stretching from Killaloe to Broadford.
If the licence is granted, Professor Richard Conroy of Conroy Gold expects geologists would begin taking soil samples, in consultation with landowners, next spring or in early summer.
Having conducted some preliminary work, Professor Conroy told The Clare Champion the next step is the implementation of a regional programme of soil sampling, which involves geologists taking about 1kg of soil from every square kilometre before it is sent off to the Omac Laboratory in Galway for detailed mineral analysis. Depending on the results of this analysis, more detailed sampling may be undertaken to get even more knowledge of the rock formation.
A prospecting licence can be awarded for between two to six years and Mr Conroy stressed it could take a few years before the company would be in a position to make a decision about mining for gold in South-East Clare.
In the past, historians and academics believed Ireland did not have any raw minerals but now, the country has emerged as one of the top 10 zinc producers.
Previous explorations by the company have led to plans for a gold mine in County Monaghan and Professor Conroy believes there is similar potential in South-East Clare.
The company will be employing a team of field workers in groups of two to carry out the investigation and sampling work in co-operation with local landowners.

 

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