Aberdeen Minerals has kicked off a new round of drilling at its Arthrath site in Aberdeenshire, pressing ahead with ambitions to uncover more of the battery metals the UK so badly lacks.
The company’s latest campaign, known as Phase 2B, got underway this month, building on promising signs from its 2024 efforts. If successful, this could mark a rare step toward domestic production of nickel, copper, and cobalt—elements vital to the electric future.
Five New Boreholes, 2,400 Meters, and Big Hopes
Aberdeen’s current drilling plan isn’t small change. The company is targeting five new boreholes, stretching a total of 2,400 meters into the Scottish earth.
That’s not just scratching the surface. The drills will probe down as far as 400 meters in some places, reaching into rock layers that could hold clues to Scotland’s hidden mineral wealth.
Priority Drilling UK Ltd, a specialist firm in core drilling, is handling the physical work. Their rigs have already begun boring into the Aberdeenshire bedrock, and they’re expected to be at it until mid-August.
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And it’s not just about curiosity. Aberdeen Minerals is eyeing commercially viable volumes of nickel-copper-cobalt sulphide mineralization—an increasingly sought-after mix in the global race to decarbonize.
Why These Metals Matter Now More Than Ever
Let’s be clear—this isn’t just a treasure hunt. There’s a bigger picture driving Aberdeen’s dig.
Nickel, copper, and cobalt are the workhorses of electrification. You’ll find them in:
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EV batteries
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Charging infrastructure
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Wind turbines
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Grid storage tech
Thing is, the UK produces none of them. Not a drop. All of it’s imported—mostly from countries with complex geopolitics or questionable environmental standards.
So, when a company like Aberdeen Minerals starts sniffing around Scottish rock for homegrown supply, ears perk up in Whitehall and Westminster alike.
Back in 2021, the UK Government flagged domestic critical minerals as a national security concern. The push for “secure and resilient” supply chains has only intensified since then. Aberdeen’s project fits squarely into that strategic agenda.
£3.5 Million in Backing and a Big Name Investor
Drilling like this isn’t cheap. Thankfully, Aberdeen’s got a decent financial cushion.
In May 2024, the firm secured £3.5 million in fresh funding. Most of that—£3 million—came from Central Asia Metals Plc, a London-listed miner known for its copper operations in Kazakhstan and North Macedonia.
Another £0.5 million trickled in from private investors, giving Aberdeen the runway to go ahead with Phase 2B without hesitation.
Meanwhile, small-cap investment firm Gunsynd Plc holds a stake in Aberdeen Minerals, snapping up 2 million shares for £150,000. They see it as a calculated bet on the future of British battery metal production.
“We’re very encouraged by Aberdeen’s progress and its strategic positioning,” a Gunsynd rep told investors on Thursday. “The company is operating in a space of increasing national relevance.”
A Closer Look at the Arthrath Site
The Arthrath Project isn’t new. It’s been on geologists’ radars for decades—but modern tech, smarter modelling, and shifting demand have brought it back into focus.
Located about 20km northwest of Aberdeen city, the site is part of a known belt of mafic-ultramafic intrusions. Translation? The rocks here are the right kind for sulphide-style mineralisation—a geological tick in the box.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the site’s activity:
| Phase | Timeline | Drill Depths | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2A | April–August 2024 | Up to 300 meters | Mapping mineralisation zones |
| 2B | May–August 2025 | Up to 400 meters | Resource definition + samples |
Phase 2A had some promising hits. That’s why 2B is pushing deeper, literally and figuratively.
Aberdeen’s team wants to define a resource estimate. To do that, they’ll need consistent drill-core results showing both grade and volume.
Bigger Stakes, Bigger Risks—But That’s Exploration
Of course, exploration isn’t a guaranteed payday. Just ask any junior miner who’s ever drilled dust.
Aberdeen is walking the fine line between ambition and uncertainty. There are no confirmed resources at Arthrath yet—only encouraging signs.
Drilling might reveal more mineralisation. Or it might not. That’s the gamble every explorer takes.
Still, analysts following the project say the geology and past results give reason for cautious optimism. The nearby Cairngorms have yielded minor mineral finds before, but nothing of this scale has been proven in modern times.
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But Aberdeen isn’t betting the farm. The project remains privately held, and it’s taking a phased, evidence-led approach.
Strategic Silence and Future Moves
There’s been no official comment from the UK Government yet, but don’t be surprised if that changes.
The British Geological Survey and Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre have both flagged the North East of Scotland as a possible site for future domestic mining. Aberdeen’s drilling fits that narrative.
What happens next? If core results from Phase 2B are strong, we might see:
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A formal resource estimate later in 2025
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Moves toward feasibility studies in 2026
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New interest from institutional investors or even government grants
For now, it’s wait-and-see. But industry watchers will be keeping a close eye on that mid-August drill deadline.
