Developing deposits of gold, silver, copper, and a host of critical minerals
Dalradian has been exploring for minerals in Northern Ireland since late 2009 and has outlined a major deposit at Curraghinalt of gold, silver, and copper, along with smaller amounts of critical minerals such as tellurium.
As is often the case, extraction of the primary mineral—in this case, gold—results in the extraction of others since they occur together in association.
While recent attention has highlighted the importance of critical minerals, this focus isn’t new—what qualifies as “critical” has simply shifted as society has progressed. Minerals play an essential role in most products and services we use daily, either as raw materials or in the processing or delivery of those products and services.
Embracing responsible mining offers numerous benefits. It supports government goals for net-zero emissions by 2050, boosts domestic production, and provides economic advantages like job creation and local economic growth.
The UK can propel itself in technological innovation and sustainable energy. The path ahead is clear—it’s time to dig deep to shape our future.
Critical Minerals
In addition to extensive work on our multi-metal project at Curraghinalt, our geology team tested our broader licence area for over 50 metals, including base metals, critical minerals, rare earth elements, and precious metals.
Research by the UK and Northern Ireland governments has highlighted Northern Ireland’s potential to be one of the best sources of critical minerals in the UK.
Critical minerals that occur in trace amounts are usually produced as a by-product of other mining activities. There are no tellurium or antimony mines anywhere in the world, for example. These and other critical minerals can be isolated while processing ore for primary minerals like gold, silver, and copper.
Our research has revealed that the Curraghinalt deposit contains small quantities of the critical minerals tellurium, antimony, bismuth, molybdenum, and cobalt. We still have a lot more work to do to understand the extent and quality of these minerals and how to best process them, but one thing is already clear—advancing Dalradian’s polymetallic project to production would add significantly to the UK’s reserves of these strategically important minerals.
“UK Critical Minerals” are raw materials essential for economic and technological development and are at risk of supply disruptions. They are vital for energy transition, national security, and supporting industry. The UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy (CMS) identifies 34 critical minerals and outlines steps to encourage and support domestic production.
Tellurium (Te)
Tellurium, a UK Critical Mineral, is a rare, silver-white metalloid known for its semiconductor properties. It is primarily used in the production of cadmium telluride solar cells, which efficiently convert sunlight into electricity. Additionally, it is used in manufacturing thermoelectric devices and alloys and as an additive in certain metals to improve their machinability and corrosion resistance.
Antimony (Sb)
Antimony, a UK Critical Mineral, is a brittle, lustrous metalloid often used in flame retardants and as an alloying agent to enhance the hardness and strength of other metals. It also finds applications in semiconductor manufacturing, specialist glass, and antimony trioxide, a compound used in fireproofing materials.
Bismuth (Bi)
Bismuth, a UK Critical Mineral, is a brittle, silvery-white metal known for its low toxicity and high density. It is ideal for many applications, including pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and as a non-toxic replacement for lead in solder and fishing weights. You may even have swallowed it as Pepto-Bismol to relieve digestive issues.
Molybdenum (Mo)
Molybdenum is a hard, silvery metal known for its high melting point and strength, making it ideal for use in high-temperature applications. Manufacturers commonly use it to enhance steel alloys' hardness and corrosion resistance, in aerospace components, and in electrical contacts.
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