MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

Headlines:
The way of the future; Gold company to end Falklands exploration; Millions for new ferry terminals?; UK policemen to 'mentor' local officers; What's on this weekend?

The way of the future...ALTHOUGH it is only currently running at a third of its capacity, the Sand Bay Wind Farm has already cut down the government's fuel spending by 800 to 1,000 litres each day. The third and final turbine in this first phase of the wind farm came on line on August 30. More on page 2. Gold company to end Falklands explorationTHE company which has been prospecting for gold in the Falklands looks set to close its operation at the end of the year. Falklands Gold and Minerals Ltd (FGML) says no deposits of economic interest have yet been found and, unless the remaining work programme identifies deposits likely to be of commercial interest, it will cease exploration activities in the Islands. The work programme in the Falklands was designed to identify the source of alluvial gold recovered from streams. This gold is associated with a zone of tight, east-west folding which has affected the Bluff Cove and Port Sussex formations amongst other rock sequences. The company says these formations contain favourable interbedded shales and sandstone units that could, given the correct structural taps, be favourable targets for Slate Belt type gold and in particular 'Saddle Reef' styled mineralisation. The saddle reefs are being investigated but FGML believes that these are unlikely to generate ore bodies of economic size. Speaking from his home in South Africa, FGML Chairman Richard Linnell said he was "disappointed" nothing of interest had been found. He commented, "We've spoken to a lot of other experts to check we haven't missed anything but the fact is that the deposit is just too small..." He added, "I'm sad my visit to the Falklands next month will be my last, unless something is found between now and Christmas." He said doing business in the Falklands had been, "very comfortable, particularly compared to other parts of the world in which we have worked." He paid tribute to the farmers with whom FGML has worked and to the "super administration" run by Director of Minerals, Phyl Rendell. Mr Linnell said the Falklands exploration had been far from a waste of time. When the company ceases work here it will have cash balances of approximately £3.5 million and an experienced exploration team fully equipped with two drills and sample processing equipment. He added, "I believe we have also added to the economic value of Goose Green and increased the international profile of the Falkland Islands." The Board of FGML now intends to seek opportunities elsewhere in the world and says it has initially identified "gold, molybdenum and uranium" as the metals most likely of interest. Millions for new ferry terminals?THE cost of the terminals for the new ferry service has yet to be revealed by the government. Estimations in excess of £1 million for each of the two terminals have been hinted at, but the Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee, Councillor Mike Rendell, would not be drawn. He commented, "It would be more appropriate to await the outcome of Executive Council and Standing Finance Committee before making public the details of estimates of ferry terminal construction costs." As for a rumour about the new coastal shipping vessel, Concordia Bay, becoming 'swamped' during sea trials, a spokesperson for Workboat Services Ltd dismissed this as "fantasy." She commented, "The Concordia Bayis undergoing the alterations required to comply with FIG passenger and other requirements and will be for several more months." UK policemen to 'mentor' local officersTHREE retired police officers from the UK are to spend three months in the Falklands "training and mentoring" local officers. The move is an initiative of Inspector Len McGill with the support of the Chief Executive, the new Chief of Police said this week. Superintendent Paul Elliot explained that the officers, who are due to arrive in the Islands on September 21 have 76 years' policing experience between them and will, "...support the existing staff, help with the training of new officers and help the force get on its feet. "It's a short term measure to try and provide tutorship, mentorship and training..." What's on this weekend?Craft Fair Falkland Islands Community School, Saturday and Sunday Have a Go DayFire and Rescue Service, Saturday