Connemara explores for gold in Inishowen peninsula

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Irish gold and zinc explorer Connemara Mining has concluded a drilling programme for gold in the Inishowen peninsula, which lies west of the prospective Dalradian rocks of Northern Ireland where several gold projects are being advanced.

Although Connemara is not the first to explore the peninsula – a number of companies have worked in the area in the past 40 years – it is the first to complete exploration drilling for gold, chairperson John Teeling reported on Friday.

The follow-up drilling programme focused on the Meenergh gold target, where an initial discovery hole was drilled in April last year. The recent drilling programme comprised five holes and intersected narrow quartz veins.

A total of 16 m of drill core have been submitted for assays, with results expected in mid-November.

The company has also collected 21 samples from outcrop and boulders at four new targets – Cleenagh, Garvary, Cloncha and Mossy Glen.

“The information from the new drilling gives us a better understanding on the nature of mineralisation and its context in relation to geological structures observed in the area.  Connemara's geologists have also completed sampling at other targets across the Inishowen project identified by earlier exploration and the Tellus programme.  Our geologists also report that the extreme flooding that occurred in August has unearthed fresh outcrop in many areas which they intend to follow up with a mini-drilling programme,” said Teeling.