The Lorne Porphyry Complex is located in the Argyll region of western Scotland, a historically established mining province with copper- and gold-rich workings such as Kilmartin and Stronachullin. Its main prospects, Lagalochan and Ardlochan, are geologically connected along a prospective fault corridor with at least 10km strike extent. Both prospects are located approximately 80km north-west of the city of Glasgow.
Western Gold Exploration holds a dominant land position in the region, including a 250 km² Crown Estate Mines Royal Option (gold–silver exploration licence) and secure mineral- and land-access agreements over its two principal prospects, Lagalochan and Ardlochan. In addition, we hold the right to apply to mine the Lagalochan property.
The Argyll region was once an active copper, gold and lead mining district, with historic mining dating back to the late 18th century. However, these early mining operations were eventually phased out, in part due to the rugged terrane and the influx of cheaper imports during the late British colonial period. Many of the original mine sites have since been reclaimed by nature, and the once thriving mining industry is now largely concealed beneath forestry plantations and natural vegetation.
Limited commercial exploration during the 1970s and 1980s indicated the possibility of economic deposits in the region, with the British Geological Survey (https://www.bgs.ac.uk/) strongly recommending further mineral exploration. Periodic commercial exploration from multinational entities ensued throughout the 1980s, with Western Gold Exploration since developing the Lorne Project as of 2017.
