Early stages for development of the gold mining proposals in South Ayrshire has began.

GreenOre Gold Plc partnered up with Koza Ltd for the joint venture on the Ayrshire licence.

The work will begin this year starting with a stream sediment sampling and prospecting programme to be followed by scout drilling, with former MSP for the south of Scotland, Chic Brodie, helping with the project.

Managing director, Gavin Berkenheger, said: “GreenOre has been working with Koza on our Aberdeenshire licences over the past two years and have built up an excellent working relationship.

“The addition of the Ayrshire licence agreement signals a commitment to develop gold prospects with real economic potential.

“Scotland has a vast unexplored mineral wealth waiting to be explored and we are thrilled to partner with Koza on our new project.”

Chic Brodie welcomed the signing of a joint venture to further progress the developments.

He added: “This is confirmation of the early discussions we had with regard to the possibilities and the proposal to develop the drilling for gold in South Ayrshire.

“Combined with the announcement by Oil and Gas UK that it was committed to an expenditure of £2.5m to explore for oil in three areas in Scotland one of which is the Clyde estuary, it confirms the rich mineral wealth and that there are other minerals here in Ayrshire.”