Clontarf, Petrel and Botswana Diamonds announce death of David Horgan

Mining executive David Horgan has died aged 66, three exploration companies he co-founded announced on Wednesday.

Horgan, who was born in Belfast, was a co-founder & director of Botswana and South Africa-focused diamond explorer Botswana Diamonds PLC; co-founder & chair of Iraq and Ghana-focused oil & gas explorer Petrel Resources PLC; and co-founder & chair of Clontarf Energy PLC, an oil, gas and minerals explorer with projects in Bolivia and Ghana.

‘The death of David Horgan is a deep personal loss to each of us,’ said Botswana Diamonds Executive Chair John Teeling and Clontarf’s Finance Director Jim Finn, in a joint statement. (Finn is a director at Clontarf and Botswana Diamonds, and Teeling is a director at Petrel Resources.) ‘In over three decades together we have created, financed, managed and listed a series of early-stage exploration ventures in a variety of natural resources.’

They continued: ‘Early-stage exploration is very high risk...The last decade has been hard on explorers. Little or no investor interest in our activities.

‘David had a simple message - no exploration, no mines, no transition to green energy. His passing, just as the message seems to be getting traction, is ironic. He is a huge loss for his friends, family, colleagues, shareholders and the wider Irish resource sector.’

Shares in Clontarf closed down 2.0% at 0.025 pence on Thursday in London. Petrel Resources closed 4.1% higher at 0.89p. Finally, Botswana Diamonds shares were untraded at 0.25p, having last been sold on Wednesday.

Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Ways to help you invest your money

Our investment accounts

Put your money to work with our range of investment accounts. Choose from ISAs, pensions, and more.

Need some investment ideas?

Let us give you a hand choosing investments. From managed funds to favourite picks, we’re here to help.

Read our expert tips and insights

Our investment experts share their knowledge on how to keep your money working hard across the markets.