Mineral investigations in the Northumberland trough : part 2, Newcastleton area, Borders, Scotland

Interest in mineral exploration within the Solway-Northumberland basin developed since the discovery of the world-class Navan Zn-Pb deposit in Ireland in 1970 (Andrew, 1993). Recognition of the broad similarities in the geological and tectonic history of the Lower Carboniferous sedimentary basins of east-central Ireland and northern England/southern Scotland prompted MRP exploration interest in the Solway-Northumberland basin in the early 1970's. Two of the most important criteria for the formation of major SEDEX Irish-style deposits, the presence of syn-depositional faulting in a Lower Dinantian basin and a geothermal system over a zone of high heat flow in the crust, are recognised in the Solway-Northumberland basin. The presence of mafic lavas, the Birrenswark lavas, and possible associated mineralising hydrothermal activity are considered to further increase the economic potential of the area.