Commodity profiles
MineralsUK – Minerals
Mineral commodity profiles
Mineral commodity profiles present essential background information on individual mineral commodities for the non-specialist user. They are not intended to be highly technical but contain sufficient detail to enable the reader to gain a broad understanding of the particular mineral described.
Each profile summarises:
- the nature and geological occurrence of deposits
- extraction and processing methods
- specifications and uses
- world production, trade and prices
- the situation relating to the UK
If any of the terms contained in the profiles are unfamiliar, please refer to our glossary.
| Commodity | Date published | Commodity | Date published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal | March 2010 | Niobium-Tantalum | April 2011 |
| Cobalt | February 2020 | Platinum group elements | September 2009 |
| Copper | June 2007 | Rare earth elements | November 2011 |
| Fluorspar | February 2011 | Tungsten | January 2011 |
| Lithium | July 2016 | Uranium | March 2010 |
| Nickel | September 2008 |
The following older versions are also available:
| Commodity | Date published | Commodity | Date published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barytes | September 2005 | Magnesium | March 2004 |
| Cement raw materials | November 2005 | Zinc | March 2004 |
| Building and roofing stone | November 2005 |
You may also be interested in
Building stones
The BGS Building Stones Team provides specialist information and advice on building stones, quarries and building conservation to clients in all parts of the UK.
Mine and quarry
BGS information on active mines and quarries in the UK that covers a wide range of commodities including construction aggregates, building stone, coal and industrial minerals.
Construction minerals
Construction minerals include a wide range of materials including brick clay, building stone, construction aggregate, sand and gravel, gypsum, lime and cement raw materials.
Industrial minerals
Industrial minerals are all those minerals, including construction materials, with an economic use typically excluding energy minerals, metals and gemstones.