Survey looks at Antrim resources from air

Easter week will see the commencement of low-level flights over the North East Antrim area as an aerial survey of Northern Ireland’s geological resources starts during April.

Weather permitting, the aerial survey will start flying in the Easter week and continue for approximately two to three weeks, over the North East Antrim area.

The survey is part of the Tellus project, a three-year initiative to collect scientific data on Northern Ireland’s geological resources. The project involves a land-based geochemical survey, which is close to completion, and a separate airborne geophysical survey of the earth’s surface and subsurface, throughout Northern Ireland.

Director of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) Garth Earls said: "The Tellus project is all about understanding our underground. The geological data generated by Tellus will provide real scientific and social benefits for Northern Ireland.

“The information gathered will add to existing data to help shape decisions on aspects of Northern Ireland’s future for many years to come. Similar surveys in other countries have resulted in real increases in inward investment and have enhanced the understanding of our natural resources, ranging from sand and gravel, regularly used in our construction industries, to gold and silver. The data will also provide baselines against which to measure any future environmental change.

“As the project progresses GSNI will be engaging with interested parties, including farming and business communities, to inform them of the project’s developments.”

The aerial survey, which started on March 27, is due to be completed by early July 2006. A Twin Otter airplane, fitted with instruments to collect data on the magnetic and electrical properties of the ground, will fly in a series of parallel lines.

The plane will be based in Newtownards airfield, and will be flown Mondays to Saturdays from 8am to 6pm, in suitable weather.

The airborne geophysical survey started on Friday 1 July 2005 in Fermanagh.

Local land owners will receive advance notification of the planned flying days by post and can put any questions about the survey to staff on the Tellus information line, telephone 028 9076 0006.

GSNI was established in 1947 and, as part of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment provides geological expertise for government, industry and the public.

(SP)