A helicopter has hit an electricity pylon in Aberdeenshire, leaving more than 1000 homes without power.
The incident occurred during a survey for minerals in Aberdeenshire undertaken by Aberdeen Minerals Limited (AML).
The private company hired international specialist SkyTEM Surveys to conduct the survey, which looks for commercially exploitable deposits of base minerals such as copper, nickel, and cobalt.
The electromagnetic loop, which is suspended below the helicopter during the survey, struck a pylon near the Aberdeenshire town of Balmedie causing a power cut to 1004 houses in the area. A spokesperson for SSE said: "We'd like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank our customers for their patience as our engineers worked to restore power as quickly as possible."
All affected homes had their power restored by 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon.
A spokesperson for AML said: "Aberdeen Minerals Limited is aware of an incident near Balmedie that has led to a power outage.
"Reports that this was a result of the geophysical array colliding with a power line are being investigated by the company and its contractors.
"We can confirm that the helicopter is safely on the ground. Flight operations have been suspended, pending liaison with the relevant authorities."
The helicopter flew to the region from Germany last week but was unable to start the surveys due to bad weather.
Some geologists believe Aberdeenshire could be rich in mineral deposits that are set to be in high demand for the manufacture of electric vehicles and other low carbon technology.
Drew Craig, the general manager for AML, told The Press and Journal earlier this week that the "use of such a system for mineral exploration is a first for Scotland and the UK".
He added: “Momentum around the energy transition is clearly building in the north-east, and the timing of this survey and our plans for assessing the potential for critical raw materials couldn’t be better.”
The single-engine aircraft carries the sophisticated survey equipment, which looks from a distance like a large net, to try and detect the presence of metals at a height of around 300 feet.
The data gathered could indicate the presence of metals, which can then be explored further with a ground survey.
Homes and businesses in the areas set to be explored were informed of the scheduled flights, with AML promising that the helicopter’s presence in any one area would be brief.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel