Cononish Mine

In autumn 1988 underground prospecting for gold began at Cononish. This resulted in a drilling programme and the driving of level onto a likely structure under Beinn Chuirn.

The current owners, Scotgold Resources, on purchasing the mining rights accumulated by Fynegold Exploration Company, fell heir to the assets, such as drilling cores, reports, machinery & equipment in May 2007.

A workable deposit, with a grade of 9.4 grams per tonne of gold and 53 g/t silver, was proved. The proposed mine’s location, on the edge of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, was problematic, but in 2011 planning permission was given to develop a working mine.

The gold mine is situated in a national park and the present owners, Scotgold Resources Ltd, have to conform to serious strictures in maintaining a high regard for the environment. An attractive asset is the 1,280 metre-long adit, driven by the previous owners, the Fynegold Exploration Company, which follows an auriferous vein where mining is due to commence in 2013.