Projects

Ireland

Ireland has proven mineral potential and a mining friendly environment. Ireland is now the 7th largest producer of zinc concentrates, and the 12th largest producer of lead concentrates in the world. The principals of Conroy Gold and Natural Resources played a major role in the development of Ireland as a major international base metal producer and believe that Ireland also has significant potential for gold. 

The geology of Ireland, the known occurence of gold in a number of areas, and the history of gold ornamentation dating back to prehistory give credence to this belief. Map for details of operations across Ireland (Click to expand image)  >

The major geological structure termed the Longford-Down Massif was chosen as a target because of its geology and the known presence of gold at an old antimony mine at Clontibret, in County Monaghan.

Exploration to date has resulted in the delineation of a number of highly prospective gold targets along a 30 mile (c.50km) strike-length from County Armagh in the north-east, and across to Counties Monaghan and Cavan.

Clontibret is the most advanced target. An indicated resource of 11m tonnes grading 1.24g/t gold for 440,000oz contained, and an inferred resource of 14m tonnes at a grade of 1.32g/t for 590,000oz contained have been calculated, bringing the total resource to date to over 1 million ounces. These figures, to JORC standards and based on a 0.75g/t cut-off, have been calculated to an average depth of 150m below surface. These figures relate to one area (Tullybuck-Lisglassan), representing less than 20% of the overall Clontibret Target, which is the first to be investigated in detail.

Other targets with major gold potential include Clay Lake in County Armagh, Glenish in County Monaghan, and Slieve Glah in County Cavan.

Historic Gold in Ireland

Prehistoric gold ornaments, mostly belonging to the Bronze Age (approximately 2,000 to 400BC) have been found throughout the island of Ireland. Many of these ornaments can be seen in the National Museum in Dublin, a collection which proves the former importance of the industry, which it is believed was one of the first causes which brought merchants from Gaul and Iberia to the island. For many years, it was suggested that this gold was imported and had not been mined in Ireland. However, exploration has demonstrated that there are numerous gold showings in Ireland. An early paper entitled "A mineralogical account of native gold lately discovered in Ireland" was read before the Royal Society in London on the 17th of December, 1796.

The Gold Cloak Clasp, and the Sun Disk (click to expand images)