Miles of Welsh gold has been found in Dolgellau
Samples of Welsh gold has been found in Dolgellau.
Alba Mineral Resources have been exploring in North Wales looking for rare Clogau gold - and the company have found samples in the ground across a 9km stretch of the Dolgellau gold belt.
The largest one was a 2km stretch in Cerys-Gwyneth, four times longer than the famous Clogau-St David's mine which produced the largest quantity of gold from the UK.
Trenching plans are being made to extend the Llechfraith mine area.
George Frangeskides, Alba’s executive chairman has said they are looking to re-open historic mines for commercial production. They are looking for other areas that have yet to be explored for gold.
What is Welsh gold?
It is incredibly rare and incredibly expensive with huge historical significance.
The Queen Mother started a trend in 1923 of using Welsh Gold for royal wedding rings. It has been used by the royals ever since, according to Clogau Gold of Wales.
Other members of the Royal Family that have had Welsh gold wedding rings include:
1923 The Queen Mother's marriage to King George VI
1947 Queen Elizabeth II marriage to Prince Phillip
1960 Princess Margaret’s marriage
1973 Princess Anne's marriage
1981 Prince Charles's marriage to Princess Diana
2005 Prince Charles's marriage to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
2011 Prince William's marriage to Catherine Middleton
2018 Prince Harry's marriage to Meghan Markle
Where can you find Welsh gold?
There are two distinct areas of Wales which have historically been mined for Welsh gold.
In North Wales, the area is known as the "the Dolgellau gold belt" stretching from Barmouth, past Dolgellau and up towards Snowdonia.
The second is in further south, in a small area in the valley of the River Cothi at Dolaucothi.