{"id":420,"date":"2024-01-17T15:06:46","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T15:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/construction-minerals\/"},"modified":"2025-11-13T14:26:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T14:26:02","slug":"construction-minerals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/construction-minerals\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction minerals"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t\t<section class=\"hero-section hero-section-with-social\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>Construction minerals<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>MineralsUK &#8211; Mine and quarry<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"social-wrap social-wrap-inline-them\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sea-background-f\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>Share this article<\/span><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/construction-minerals\/\"><span class=\"icon-facebook\"><span class=\"hidden\">Facebook<\/span><\/span><\/a><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Construction%20minerals&#038;url=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/construction-minerals\/\"><span class=\"icon-twitter\"><span class=\"hidden\">Twitter<\/span><\/span><\/a><a   onclick=\"javascript:void( (function() {var e=document.createElement('script' );e.setAttribute('type','text\/javascript' );e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8' );e.setAttribute('src','\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());\"  href=\"javascript:void(0);\"><span class=\"icon-pinterest\"><span class=\"hidden\">Pinterest<\/span><\/span><\/a><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/wa.me?text=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/construction-minerals\/\"><span class=\"icon-whatsapp\"><span class=\"hidden\">WhatsApp<\/span><\/span><\/a><a   href=\"mailto:?subject=Construction%20minerals&#038;body=Construction%20minerals%20include%20a%20wide%20range%20of%20materials%20including%20brick%20clay,%20building%20stone,%20construction%20aggregate,%20sand%20and%20gravel,%20gypsum,%20lime%20and%20cement%20raw%20materials.%20(https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/construction-minerals\/)\"><span class=\"icon-mail\"><span class=\"hidden\">Email<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"#\" data-copy=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/construction-minerals\/\" class=\"copy-url-on-click\"><span class=\"icon-link\"><span class=\"hidden\">Copy Link<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/07\/P900337.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur hero-img\" alt=\"A quarry dug into orange-coloured sand, with machinery and blue containers at the bottom of the quarry\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/07\/P900337.jpg\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-bgs-blocks-content-container content-section\"><div class=\"container\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12\">        <div class=\"js-anchor-link-wrap anchor-link-wrap\" id=\"sand\"><span class=\"sr-only js-anchor-link\">Sand<\/span><\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Demand from urban development for concrete is driving the unsustainable and illegal mining of sand from active water courses and beaches. This can lead to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>erosion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>damage to infrastructure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>increased risk of flooding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>habitat loss<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pollution<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>soil degradation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>destruction of farmland<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Due to its mostly small-scale, informal and localised nature, there is often little information on where sand is mined, how much is produced or where it is consumed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sand is an essential construction raw material. Extensive, unregulated sand mining is a global problem. Can geoscience help provide the solution?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on developing geoscience solutions for more sustainable sand mining see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/arcg.is\/Ln1mX0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BGS ArcGIS StoryMap Sand &amp; Sustainability<\/a>   <\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"js-anchor-link-wrap anchor-link-wrap\" id=\"earth\"><span class=\"sr-only js-anchor-link\">Earth observation<\/span><\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Earth observation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Through its International Geoscience Research and Development (IGRD) programme, BGS is working on a four-year research project to address the role of geoscience in sand mining. The project is using earth observation to assess the quantities of sand consumed in urban areas, to understand the value chain for construction materials and identify likely supply shortfalls. For more information see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nora.nerc.ac.uk\/id\/eprint\/528015\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A case study for Hanoi, Vietnam: urbanisation and demand for construction materials<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nora.nerc.ac.uk\/id\/eprint\/529456\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Using satellite data to analyse raw material consumption in Hanoi, Vietnam<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nora.nerc.ac.uk\/id\/eprint\/534125\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A bottom-up building stock quantification methodology for construction minerals using earth observation: the case of Hanoi<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/news\/living-in-a-world-made-of-sand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Living in a world made of sand<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <div class=\"js-anchor-link-wrap anchor-link-wrap\" id=\"practice\"><span class=\"sr-only js-anchor-link\">Good practice<\/span><\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Good practice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Good practice guidelines for responsible sand consumption in the form of easily accessible illustrations for sand resource management have been created. These can be used by the public, researchers, geological surveys, regulators, the industry and consumers to understand the issues around sand mining. The guidelines aim to show how geoscience data and information can be used for monitoring and management of this resource.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"owl-carousel carousel-primary-color carousel owl-theme thumbs-carousel-js\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-the-current-situation-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x724.webp\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Sand mining: the current situation. \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_59989\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-the-current-situation-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-300x212.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"sand-mining-the-current-situation-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Sand mining: the current situation. \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-the-current-situation-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x724.webp\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-monitoring-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x786.webp\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Sand mining good practice: monitoring. \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_59989\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-monitoring-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-300x230.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"sand-mining-good-practice-monitoring-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Sand mining good practice: monitoring. \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-monitoring-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x786.webp\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-recycling-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x786.webp\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Sand mining good practice: recycling. \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_59989\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-recycling-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-300x230.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"sand-mining-good-practice-recycling-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Sand mining good practice: recycling. \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-recycling-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x786.webp\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-use-of-alternative-primary-materials-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x786.webp\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Sand mining good practice: use of alternative primary materials. \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_59989\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-use-of-alternative-primary-materials-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-300x230.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"sand-mining-good-practice-use-of-alternative-primary-materials-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Sand mining good practice: use of alternative primary materials. \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-use-of-alternative-primary-materials-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x786.webp\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-sourcing-of-natural-sands-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x786.webp\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Sand mining good practice: sourcing of natural sands. \u00a9 ; Sarah Hannis Illustration.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_59989\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-sourcing-of-natural-sands-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-300x230.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"sand-mining-good-practice-sourcing-of-natural-sands-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Sand mining good practice: sourcing of natural sands. \u00a9 ; Sarah Hannis Illustration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-sourcing-of-natural-sands-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x786.webp\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-reduction-of-use-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x786.webp\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Sand mining good practice: reduction of use. \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_59989\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-reduction-of-use-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-300x230.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"sand-mining-good-practice-reduction-of-use-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Sand mining good practice: reduction of use. \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/sand-mining-good-practice-reduction-of-use-copyright-Sarah-Hannis-Illustration-1024x786.webp\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/11\/Sand-mining-good-practice-marine-extraction.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Sand mining good practice: marine extraction \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_59989\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/11\/Sand-mining-good-practice-marine-extraction.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Sand mining good practice: marine extraction \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Sand mining good practice: marine extraction \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/11\/Sand-mining-good-practice-marine-extraction.jpg\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/11\/Sand-mining-good-practice-processing.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Sand mining good practice: processing \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_59989\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/11\/Sand-mining-good-practice-processing.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Sand mining good practice: processing \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Sand mining good practice: processing \u00a9 Sarah Hannis Illustration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/11\/Sand-mining-good-practice-processing.jpg\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n<p>All illustrations herein are available to re-use for non-commercial purposes relating to the promotion of good practice for sand mining, provided the source is acknowledged and the copyright notice accompanying the illustration is retained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Download the illustrations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/download\/illustrative-good-practice-for-sand-mining-high-resolution-jpeg-images\/\">Illustrative good practice for sand mining&nbsp;(high-resolution JPEG images)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/download\/illustrative-good-practice-for-sand-mining-all-images-and-text-explanations-pdf\/\">Illustrative good practice for sand mining&nbsp;(all images and text explanations)<\/a> (pdf)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <div class=\"js-anchor-link-wrap anchor-link-wrap\" id=\"construction\"><span class=\"sr-only js-anchor-link\">Construction minerals<\/span><\/div>\n        \n\n\n<p>The construction sector is an important part of the UK economy. Aggregates account for approximately 85 per cent of the non-energy minerals extracted in the UK and are critical for the national economy. The construction sector relies on the supply of construction aggregates obtained from 1300 quarries in Britain, dredged from the seabed by a fleet of marine aggregate dredgers and won through recycling. Production from all sources is approximately 260&nbsp;million tonnes per year. The Mineral Products Association estimates that the industry provides employment for 88&nbsp;000 people: 38&nbsp;000 directly and 50&nbsp;000 indirectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>Construction minerals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional information on construction minerals can be found in the sections on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/planning\/\">planning<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/exploration-and-maps\/maps\/\">digital maps<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/commodity-profiles\/\">commodities<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/statistics\/\">statistics<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"js-anchor-link-wrap anchor-link-wrap\" id=\"circular\"><span class=\"sr-only js-anchor-link\">Circular economy<\/span><\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Circular economy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>BGS contributes towards the Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre for the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ce-hub.org\/centre-for-mineral-based-construction-materials\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Centre for Mineral-Based Construction Materials<\/a>&nbsp;to characterise and model the flows and stocks of mineral-based construction materials over their whole life cycles and the resulting environmental, social and economic effects. As part of this and through work with mathematical modellers and circular economy experts at University College London and Imperial College, we have helped develop innovative solutions for modelling stocks and flows of aggregates to create one of the most detailed material flow analyses available for construction minerals.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"js-anchor-link-wrap anchor-link-wrap\" id=\"aggregate\"><span class=\"sr-only js-anchor-link\">Aggregate minerals surveys for England and Wales<\/span><\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aggregate minerals surveys for England and Wales<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The aggregate minerals (AM) surveys, which have been taken at four-yearly intervals since 1973, provide in-depth and up-to-date information of regional and national sales, inter-regional flows, transportation, consumption and permitted reserves on primary aggregates. The most recent reports are available from the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/aggregate-minerals-survey-for-england-and-wales-2019\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government<\/a>. The reports collate survey data for primary aggregates (both land won and dredged) in England and Wales. The report also presents data on the movement and consumption of primary aggregates by subregion. This data is also used to inform Government in order to review and update planning policy guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"js-anchor-link-wrap anchor-link-wrap\" id=\"production\"><span class=\"sr-only js-anchor-link\">Production process and mineral waste<\/span><\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Production process and mineral waste<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Construction aggregate is produced in a multistage process involving:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>drilling and blasting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>extraction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>crushing and milling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>washing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>screening<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>classification<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This process produces large volumes of mineral waste, typically 10 per cent of that extracted by quarrying. Past research projects have looked at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/download\/goodquarry-com-production-process-technology-information-leaflet\/\">production and process technology<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/download\/goodquarry-com-quarry-fines-and-waste-information-leaflet\/\">quarry fines and waste<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"js-anchor-link-wrap anchor-link-wrap\" id=\"marine\"><span class=\"sr-only js-anchor-link\">The strategic importance of the marine aggregate industry<\/span><\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The strategic importance of the marine aggregate industry to the UK<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmapa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">British Marine Aggregate Producers Association<\/a>&nbsp;commissioned BGS to examine the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmapa.org\/documents\/BMAPA_download.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">strategic role and importance of marine aggregates<\/a>&nbsp;to the overall supply of aggregates in the UK. The report focuses on the socio-economic issues associated with the production and use of marine aggregates and their contribution to national and regional supply.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"js-anchor-link-wrap anchor-link-wrap\" id=\"feasibility\"><span class=\"sr-only js-anchor-link\">Feasibility for underground mining of aggregates<\/span><\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Assessing the feasibility for underground mining of aggregates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2009, BGS participated in research (led by Camborne School of Mines (University of Exeter) and funded by the Mineral Industry Research Organisation) to assess the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/nora.nerc.ac.uk\/id\/eprint\/11016\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">economic feasibility of underground mining for aggregates<\/a>. The research focused on whether or not aggregates could be produced and delivered to a local market from an underground operation in the southern and eastern regions of England at a cost comparable with that for production and transport from traditional surface quarries located further afield.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"js-anchor-link-wrap anchor-link-wrap\" id=\"contact\"><span class=\"sr-only js-anchor-link\">Contact<\/span><\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information please contact&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/people\/bide-tom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tom Bide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<section   id=\"latest-content-3358-block_87cfd86a9c0a92c834b3694f97d916da\" class=\"grid-section  primary-background   \" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row header-of-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>You may also be interested in<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row grid-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-12\">\n\t<div class=\"cards cards-orizontal-sm  cards-find-more  cards-bordered\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/directory-of-mines-and-quarries\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/bantycock-gypsum-quarry-newark.webp\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Bantycock gypsum quarry Newark. \u00a9 Tony Cooper BGS \/ UKRI\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/bantycock-gypsum-quarry-newark.webp\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/directory-of-mines-and-quarries\/\">Directory of Mines and Quarries<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Directory of Mines and Quarries (DMQ) contains information on operational mineral sites in the UK during the period 2019 to 2020.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/directory-of-mines-and-quarries\/\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-12\">\n\t<div class=\"cards cards-orizontal-sm  cards-find-more  cards-bordered\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/industrial-minerals\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/Fluorspar-ore-glebe-mine-stoney-middleton-derbyshire-uk-1.webp\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Fluorspar ore. Glebe mine, Stoney Middleton, Derbyshire, UK. BGS \u00a9 NERC\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/Fluorspar-ore-glebe-mine-stoney-middleton-derbyshire-uk-1.webp\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/industrial-minerals\/\">Industrial minerals<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Industrial minerals are all those minerals, including construction materials, with an economic use typically excluding energy minerals, metals and gemstones.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/industrial-minerals\/\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-12\">\n\t<div class=\"cards cards-orizontal-sm  cards-find-more  cards-bordered\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/coal\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/aac-120627-0209_155520.webp\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Richard Mokwena holds up a piece of coal from the 4 seam which is being mined at ramp 51 at Anglo American Thermal Coal - Kriel Colliery. \u00a9 Anglo American\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/aac-120627-0209_155520.webp\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/coal\/\">Coal<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>BGS information and maps on UK coal resources.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/coal\/\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-12\">\n\t<div class=\"cards cards-orizontal-sm  cards-find-more  cards-bordered\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/industrial-mineral-assessment-unit-imau-reports-and-maps\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/07\/Celestine_Sakoany_Mahajanga_Madagascar-8791-thumb.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Celestine, Sakoany, Mahajanga, Madagascar\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/07\/Celestine_Sakoany_Mahajanga_Madagascar-8791-thumb.jpg\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/industrial-mineral-assessment-unit-imau-reports-and-maps\/\">Industrial Mineral Assessment Unit (IMAU) reports and maps<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>IMAU survey reports on British sand and gravel, and other industrial mineral resources. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/mineralsuk\/minerals\/mine-and-quarry\/industrial-mineral-assessment-unit-imau-reports-and-maps\/\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Construction minerals include a wide range of materials including brick clay, building stone, construction aggregate, sand and gravel, gypsum, lime and cement raw materials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1861,"parent":102,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"72,1","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-420","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Construction minerals - MineralsUK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Construction mineralsThe construction sector is an important part of the UK economy. 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