Imagine tonnes d’or Hidden under your feet, ready to be revealed after centuries of silence. This is the scenario that takes shape in a large area in the central-west of France, between Dordogne and Haute-Vienne. After a very recent government authorization, the start of an exploitation arouses as much enthusiasm as questions. Here is what to remember about this extraordinary discovery and how it could shape the future of the region.
A gold past steeped in history
The Limousin lands are not virgin: from Antiquity, the local tribes already extracted from theor In these granite rocks. Over the centuries, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, up to the two world wars, boreholes have experienced ups and downs. The last industrial adventure, called “Mine du Bourneix”, closed in 2002 for lack of profitability. Today, a new chapter opens, carried by techniques ofexploration modern and by a favorable economic context.
A deposit with multiple promises
The girlfriend Identified extends over almost 40 km², covering the municipalities of Jumilhac-le-Grand, Chalard and Ladignac-le-Long. The first estimates evoke several dozen tonnes of gold still underground, with concentrations often superior to international standards. At more than € 94,500 per kilogram today, this unexpected wealth comes in a context where France and Europe seek to strengthen their independence in precious metals.
An ambitious project leader
Aurelius resources, a subsidiary of a British group, has obtained the exclusive research permit. On the program: not only gold, but also silver, copper, tin, zinc, lead, nickel and lithium. This diversification aims to maximize the economic robustness of the exploitation, while anticipating the growing needs in raw materials for the energy and industrial transition.
Exploration phase and calendar
The first step will consist of five years of intensive prospecting, with drilling and geological analyzes. This crucial phase will confirm the quality of the deposit and define the exact size of the future mine. If the results confirm the hopes, an industrial exploitation could start shortly after, generating economic jobs and repercussions for Limousin.
Between economic hopes and environmental concerns
However, the prospect of a mine arouses reserves. The Stop Mines 87 association points to the risks of soil pollution, consumption of massive water and landscape disruptions. In his impact study, the operator recognizes these dangers but judges them “temporary”. To gain the confidence of the inhabitants, reinforced protective measures and strict monitoring of rejections will be essential.
The challenges for rural areas
Beyond theorthis project could revitalize a rural area marked by the demographic decline. Direct and indirect jobs, infrastructure to be modernized, and tax benefits are an engine for local development. But for this momentum to be sustainable, consultation with elected officials, associations and citizens must remain at the heart of the process.
At a time when France is exploring avenues to guarantee its sovereignty in strategic resources, the Limougeaude affair illustrates a tremendous geological potential. It remains to combine economic ambition and preservation of the environment so that this gold mine becomes a shared and responsible opportunity.
Source : https://www.journaldunet.com/patrimoine/finances-personnelles/1541325-hf1-gisement-or/
