Canadian company mines for valuable mineral in heart of Connemara

The Canadians call their project in Mace Head in Carna “Irish Moly” – and this “moly” is a precious mineral deposit that may be deeply entrenched in the Connemara heartland.

MOAG of Toronto may not have hit gold but they could be on the verge of discovering this valuable mineral under the harsh Connemara ground.

“Moly” is the shorthand terminology for the mineral molybdenum in the geological and scientific community.  Molybdenum has many uses and it has been most commonly associated with hardening processes in steel, iron and other materials.

The report from an expert consultancy company on tests and investigations carried for MOAG of Toronto now points to a strong possibility that there is enough molybdenum in the Mace Head area in Carna for it to become a real commercial venture.

In its conclusions the report from the SLR Consultancy company states:  “These results suggest the Mace Prospect has the potential to host an economically viable deposit, subject to environmental, planning and regulatory approvals.  The results of the 2016 program will be used to inform future programs”.

MOAG was given a licence by the Department of the Environment two years ago for exploratory work in relation to copper and molybdenum close to Mace Head.

It had been known previously that there were significant traces of these minerals in that area; geologists estimate that molybdenum was established during granite formations in Mace about 410 million years ago.

Some drilling and investigations were carried out around Mace Head in the late 1960s but it was not nearly as extensive as the current process.  Drill holes were then some distance apart and the maximum depth tested was 50 metres.

The present phase of drilling on behalf of MOAG has seen holes being bored, in close proximity, to depths of hundreds of metres underground.

The results so far, according to the report from SLR Consultants, show a mineral field of two kilometres in length and 300 metres wide.  The minerals, including molybdenum, are extending to levels of 200 metres below sea level – and maybe deeper.

The report states that the molybdenum and copper field shows no sign of ending at the listed parameters – in depth, width or length of the deposits.

It is recommended to the company that a wider area would be studied alongside the present site; it includes a suggestion that drilling should go to a depth of 600 metres at one point in order to get a fuller picture of the site potential.

SLR Consultants with offices in Dublin, Northern Ireland and throughout Britain continue to maintain an office and workshop for the “Moly” project in Carna; this premises is rented from Údarás na Gaeltachta.

However, there is no indication so far from MOAG in Toronto about any plans for further expenditure on the “Irish Moly” project this year.

The report placed with MOAG by the SLR Consultancy group states that Ireland is a good place to engage in the mining industry; companies that have an exploration licence have first call on exploiting commercial finds inside those geographic parameters.

Indeed, the report states that Ireland was placed first out of 109 countries by economists as a desirable location for mining.  However, environmental issues would inevitably come up in Connemara.

The report states that studies have been carried out and that any threats to the environment – the Kilkieran Bay SAC is nearby – would be avoided by appropriate mitigation measures.

The SLR report advises MOAG that it should maintain contacts with the Department of the Environment and Galway County Council in relation to the regulatory and planning criteria.

MOAG was also advised to initiate “proactive community engagement” in the Carna area and to “communicate effectively and meaningfully with local stakeholders”.