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What's new
This page provides information and links to pages recently added to the ‘mineralsUK.com’ website.
More Mineral Reconnaissance Reports (MRP) now available
The following Mineral Reconnaissance Reports (MRP) are now available to download:
United Kingdom Minerals Yearbook 2009
This annual publication by the British Geological Survey provides comprehensive statistical data on minerals production, consumption and trade to 2008, estimates of production for major mineral commodities in 2009 and a commentary on the UK's minerals industry. It is of value to all those interested in the many facets of Britain's minerals industry and its contribution to the national economy.
More Mineral Reconnaissance Reports (MRP) now available
The following Mineral Reconnaissance Reports (MRP) are now available to download:
Mineral Resource Maps of Wales
The British Geological Survey (BGS) was awarded a grant from the Welsh Assembly Government administered Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund for Wales in 2009 to provide a comprehensive, relevant and accessible information base to enhance the sustainability of mineral resources in Wales. BGS co–funded this project through its Sustainable Mineral Solutions Team, part of the Minerals and Waste science programme. This work, which was led from the BGS Cardiff office, was completed in July 2010. A report, The Mineral Resource Maps of Wales [pdf 291 Kb], and a series of six digitally generated maps at a scale of 1:100 000 are now available:
- Mineral Resource map for south east Wales [pdf 47.1 Mb]
- Mineral Resource map for south west Wales [pdf 31.8 Mb
- Mineral Resource map for north east Wales [pdf 35.4 Mb]
- Mineral Resource map for north west Wales [pdf 23.3 Mb]
- Mineral Resource map for mid Wales (south) [pdf 39.4 Mb]
- Mineral Resource map for mid Wales (north) [pdf 28.7 Mb]
The major elements of minerals information presented on the maps are:
Opencast Coal Mining Statistics 2009
The results of the Opencast Coal Survey for 2009 are now available. Data are presented on saleable production, permitted reserves and details of sites granted and refused planning permission during 2009.
Aggregates Strategic Research Programme Report - An evaluation of decisions for aggregates working in designated areas since the introduction of MPS1
The Aggregates Strategic Research Programme Report - An evaluation of decisions for aggregates working in designated areas since the introduction of MPS1 is now available to download.
In 2009, BGS led a project under the MIRO ASRP programme which aimed to use available evidence to evaluate the environmental impacts of granting new permissions within designated sites. Policy on planning for aggregate minerals in England is set out primarily in Minerals Planning Statement 1 (MPS1), issued in November 2006. The study examined all significant proposals for aggregates working (taken as being accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES)) decided by either the Mineral Planning Authority (MPA) or Secretary of State between that date and the end of July 2009. Society requires mineral resources, such as aggregates, to maintain a vibrant economy. Society must also ensure that the ecosystem services which are essential to life, recreation and well being, are maintained. Government policies and the national planning system provide the framework for spatial planners to balance these different needs. It is important that the effectiveness of these policies and their impact on one another are considered and reviewed. The resultant evidence suggests that current legislation and policy on the protection of designated areas in England is meeting its objectives.
Rare Earth Elements profile
The British Geological Survey has added rare earth elements to its Mineral Profile series. Rare earths play a vital and increasing role in a wide range of consumer electronics, in environmental technologies and military applications. This report examines the global distribution of rare earths, their extraction, applications, global production and trade and provides an overview of rare earth resources in Britain.
The Rare Earth Elements profile is now available to download.
Mineral Information and Statistics for the BRIC countries
The Mineral Information and Statistics for the BRIC countries is now available to download.
The term ‘BRIC’, used to refer to the four countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China, has become almost synonymous with the rise of emerging economies in the global market. This brand new report presents production and trade data over a 10 year time period with extended commentary and analysis of trends.
More Mineral Reconnaissance Reports (MRP) now available
The following Mineral Reconnaissance Reports (MRP) are now available to download:
Metals Mineral Planning Factsheet updated
The Metals Mineral Planning Factsheet has been updated, and is now available to download.
The Mineral Planning Factsheets provide an overview of the supply of specific minerals that are of economic importance to Britain.They are primarily intended to inform spatial and land–use planning but are of value to all those interested in mineral extraction in the UK. The factsheet for metals has been updated.
Uranium Commodity Profile – Update
The Uranium Commodity Profile has been updated, and is now available to download.
Uranium is an important mineral in a carbon conscious world because its use in electricity generation releases no carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As a consequence demand is increasing for the "clean" energy it can provide. The Uranium Commodity Profile includes a summary of the geology of deposits, methods of extraction and processing, analysis of production, trade and prices and a section with a focus on Britain. This update includes recent trends and the latest information available.
Coal Commodity Profile – Update
The Coal Commodity Profile has been updated, and is now available to download.
More than forty per cent of electricity generation worldwide is produced from coal and, despite efforts to increase alternative energy sources, coal is expected to fuel the biggest proportion of power supply for many decades to come. It is also an essential fuel for iron and steel manufacture plus many other industrial processes. The Coal Commodity Profile includes a summary of the different specifications of coal, an analysis of production, trade and prices, an outline of gas from coal technologies plus a section with a focus on Britain. This update includes recent trends and the latest information available.
Additional WMS archive titles now available to download
Following the successful launch of the WMS archive last year, additional titles have now been made available to download as e–books or pdf documents. The latest release includes one further volume from the 1960s, plus the first volumes from the 1940s and 1950s. The WMS archive is an ongoing project to improve access to the historical record of worldwide mineral production and trade information held by the BGS, which dates back to 1913 for many commodities.
Finding Solomon's gold?
The latest gold exploration research on the Solomon Islands involving the BGS is highlighted in Planet Earth online.
European Mineral Statistics 2004–2008
European Mineral Statistics 2004–2008 is a publication from the British Geological Survey (BGS) containing over 300 pages of information on minerals production and trade in the European Union, EU applicant countries, Norway and Switzerland. The introductory commentary is followed by statistical tables in two sections: by country and by commodity.The commodity section includes summary information on approximately 60 commodities – including uses, prices and major producing countries – and is illustrated with graphs and charts showing five–year trends, share of world production, exports and imports.
Fluorspar Mineral Planning Factsheet updated
The Mineral Planning Factsheets provide an overview of the supply of specific minerals that are of economic importance to Britain.They are primarily intended to inform spatial and land–use planning but are of value to all those interested in mineral extraction in the UK. The factsheet for fluorspar has been updated.
World Mineral Production 2004–2008
The British Geological Survey has one of the largest databases in the world on the production of minerals.This publication is the latest in the World Mineral Statistics (WMS) series and includes five year tables of production, by country, for the majority of economically important metals and industrial minerals.
Additional information has been added describing the characteristics, uses production trends, prices and industry events for 11 commodities including bauxite/alumina/aluminium, coal, cobalt, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, nickel, platinum, uranium and zinc.
Evaluation of Minerals Policy Statements
On behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG), the British Geological Survey (BGS) is carrying out an analysis of the implementation of a number of the Minerals Policy Statements and Minerals Policy Guidance Notes, and an evaluation of the impacts of the policies implementation. See the attached questionnaire; please respond by Monday 1st March 2010.
New site, new content – MineralsUK celebrates 10 years online
To mark over 10 years online, the MineralsUK website has been freshly redesigned and brought right up to date. MineralsUK will continue to provide the latest industry news, timely statistical and resource information, and be the focus for the BGS Centre for Sustainable Mineral Development. In keeping with the BGS OpenGeoscience ethos, more information will be made freely available to download, starting with the Mineral Reconnaissance Reports (MRP) series and more will be added as 2010 progresses – the first 10 MRP reports are now available.
Rock salt: an essential mineral keeps the country moving
Rock salt is the key ingredient in the ‘grit’ which keeps our road network moving despite ice and snow. To learn more about rock salt download the BGS Rock salt information release and the BGS Minerals factsheet on Salt.
For further information please contact: minerals@bgs.ac.uk.
Rock salt on Radio 4
Andrew Bloodworth’s interview with Quentin Cooper on rock salt for the BBC Radio 4 programme ‘Material World’ was broadcast from 4.30 to 5pm on Thursday 7th January 2010. Available to listen again on the BBC iPlayer (interview starts at 9 minutes 45 seconds into programme). More details on the Material World webpage.
100,000th record loaded onto the BRITPITS mineral workings database
The 100,000th record was recently loaded onto the BRITPITS mineral workings database as part of a systematic mineral site survey. The site in question (numbered 105432) was one of the Brine wells belonging to Lion Salt Works, at Wincham, Cheshire. The data collection was carried out by Caron Simpson, and was supervised and collated by Emma Crew, seen here making a presentation to Caron to mark the event.
World Mineral Statistics Archive update
Following the successful lauch of the WMS archive earlier in the year, additional titles have now been made available to download as e-books or pdf documents. The latest release includes additional volumes from the 1990s and 1980s plus the first selection from the 1960s. The WMS archive is an ongoing project to improve access to the historical record of worldwide mineral production and trade information held by the BGS, which dates back to 1913 for many commodities.
Platinum Commodity Profile
The Platinum Commodity Profile, the latest in this series from BGS, is now available to download.
Platinum–group elements (PGE), which include platinum, palladium and rhodium, are very rare in the earth’s crust.They are exploited in a wide range of industries, most notably in catalysts, jewellery, and electronic applications.The Platinum Commodity Profile includes a summary of the geology of PGE deposits, methods of extraction and processing and analysis of production, trade and prices. Alternative technologies and recycling are summarised, and there is a focus on Britain.
Kaolin and Silica Sand Mineral Planning Factsheets updated
The Mineral Planning Factsheets provide an overview of the supply of specific minerals that are of economic importance to Britain.They are primarily intended to inform spatial and land–use planning but are of value to all those interested in mineral extraction in the UK. The factsheets for kaolin and silica sand have been updated.
Strategic Stone Study
English Heritage (EH) is working with the British Geological Survey (BGS), local geologists and historic buildings experts from each county in England to undertake the Strategic Stone Study. Funded by English Heritage and CLG, this will identify the stone used in historic buildings, ranging from castles and cathedrals to houses, walls, roofs, bridges, kerbs, paving etc; and then make this information freely available.
Building a Future for Stone – a UK Building Stone Symposium hosted by the British Geological Survey
To be held on 1 October 2009 at The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London.This meeting will address current issues of building and roofing stone in the UK, and how to improve the use and availability of indigenous building stone today and for the future. It brings together those with a professional interest in the use of building stone from throughout the UK to address the key issues for heritage and new construction.The event is aimed at planners, architects, stone producers, heritage conservation professionals and all those with a professional interest in stone.
- Download further information [PDF]
- Download registration document [Word DOC]
- Download registration document [PDF]
- Download the agenda [PDF]
For further information contact: Emily Tracey emiace@bgs.ac.uk or Tel: 0131 667 1000.
Cobalt Commodity Profile
The Cobalt Commodity Profile, the latest in this series from BGS, is now available to download.
Cobalt is of strategic importance to the high performance alloys (‘superalloys’) industry and also forms a significant component of rechargeable batteries. This minor metal is due to be traded on the London Metals Exchange in the near future.The Cobalt Commodity Profile includes a summary of the geology of cobalt deposits, methods of extraction and processing and analysis of production, trade and prices. Alternative technologies and recycling are summarised, and there is a focus on Britain.
