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Earth Science Conservation Review

Summary Full report
Aughnagurgan, near DarkleyArmagh
Site number:557
ESCC:EA
Locality Type:Quarry (working), Trial mine and spoil Status: local interest
Grid Reference: H866314 Centroid
Google maps: 54.22466,-6.67222
County: ArmaghCouncil area:Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council
Site Description
image: 0557a.jpg Aughnagurgan, near Darkley, Co.Armagh, June 1997.
Aughnagurgan, near Darkley, Co.Armagh, June 1997.
Highlights:
Active quarry adjacent to former lead trial and spoil heap; dolomite-veined shale containing sphalerite, galena and pyrite.
Introduction:
The literature refers to a small spoil heap adjoining a nineteenth century exploratory adit beside the Keady - Newtownhamilton road. The adit entrance was said to have been visible until recently, but had been closed by a detonation carried out by the Army.
Description:
No metallic minerals were found in the spoil, which comprises dolomite-veined greywacke. A recently active quarry (for slate and/or fill material) has been developed immediately south of this spoil heap. In loose material in the quarry, specimens were found of dolomite-veined shale containing sphalerite and galena, shale breccia cemented by sphalerite, and pyrite veinlets in siltstone (material collected for the Ulster Museum).
Conclusions:
The site is not worth designation, but the occurrence of metallic minerals in the new quarry is noteworthy.
Keywords
Minerals:Dolomite, Galena, Pyrite, Sphalerite
Rocks:Greywacke, Shale, Siltstone
Structures:breccia, mineral vein
Uses
Uses:Active quarry and spoil heap.
Record type: ESCR report Recorded by: R. Nawaz and N.R. Moles
Entered by: E M Porter
Last updated:07 MAY 68
 Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Aughnagurgan, near Darkley, County Armagh, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=557. Accessed on 2026-11-04.

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