A new geological survey has yielded the discovery of higher than average levels of gold in several Irish border counties.

The EU-funded Tellus Border mapping project found gold concentrations in areas including Carrockmacross in Co. Monaghan, Kingscourt in Co. Cavan, Termon in Co. Donegal, Easky in Co. Sligo and in Armagh and Tyrone after studying soils, water and rocks in the areas.

At today's Results and Research Conference in Co. Monaghan, Minister For Natural Resources Mr Fergus O'Dowd said: "The gold map will add to that economic investment already beginning in the Border area."

It is hoped the findings will lead to the development of a gold mine in Ireland's border areas.

Mairead Glennon, assistant project manager for the project explained that a similar project carried out in Northern Ireland in 2007 generated €35 milllion in investments from mineral exploration companies.

She also stated that new maps documenting the locations of the gold will be published on the Tellus Border Project website later today.

The five million euro Tellus Border Project was announced in 2011 with the purpose of mapping the natural resources of the border counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth.

The full results are due to be announced at a conference in Co. Monaghan today.