Porto, Portugal -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/23/2012 -- Scientists from the Algarve University have drawn up plans to probe the sprawling Monchique mountain range, believing that the hills could be concealing precious minerals, including gold and silver. The possibility has already attracted interested from one private company, which is soon to start prospecting work in the area. “If these scientists are correct, it could be a real boost to the local economy,” said a source from Dragão Porto, a local sales and marketing company.
Tomasz Boski coordinates the Valemon project, which aims to boost the economic and environmental value of Monchique; he is also a professor at Algarve University’s Marine and Environmental Research Centre. He believes that there are “some interesting indicators, based on similarities from land masses around the world, that Monchique could comprise minerals of economic value, including gold.” The specialist highlighted China as an example, “where there is land mass very similar to that of Monchique, from where gold is extracted”, and therefore says he “would not be at all surprised” if the Algarvian mountain range held the same potential.
“It certainly looks like a possibility that’s worth exploring,” said our source from Dragão Porto, “It would generate a lot of business and industry, and allow local firms to benefit from the natural resources of the area.”
Geologists will gather 130 samples from rocks throughout the region, as part of the Valemon project. The rocks will then be sent to be analysed, in laboratories in Canada and Brazil. The group will then have to interpret the results, and try to determine what precious metals may be hiding in Monchique.
The government signed a contract last year with Maepa – Mineral and Investment Developments – for the prospecting of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc in the Algarve. It plans to canvas a total area of 270 square kilometres, in three regions: Monchique, Aljezur and Portimão. The Caldeirão mountain range, near the Guadiana River, also shows some promise of being home to valuable minerals. Researchers from the Algarve University found microscopic particles of gold in the river bed near Castro Marim five years ago.
Our Dragão Porto source said, “It looks like there’s a lot of potential that we’re just starting to discover exists. I’ll be looking forward to hearing about the results, and seeing just what kind of opportunities they present.”
http://www.theportugalnews.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=1154-12