UK Minerals Yearbook 2021 available to download
The UK Minerals Yearbook 2021 provides essential information about the production, consumption and trade of UK minerals up to 2020.
11/04/2022 By BGS PressThe latest statistical data on minerals production in the UK is now available to download. The UK Minerals Yearbook 2021 provides essential information about the production, consumption and trade of UK minerals up to 2020.
Published annually by BGS, the yearbook includes definitive updates designed to inform decision makers, the minerals industry and those interested in the contribution of minerals to the national economy.
The UK produces over 270 million tonnes of minerals each year, contributing to the country’s construction, energy, manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
Coal production continues to decline (80 per cent since 2015) as the UK continues to move away from the use of coal for power generation. Also notable in 2020 is a decline in production of construction minerals, around 10 per cent compared to 2019. This is most likely a temporary reduction due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The UK Minerals Yearbook 2021 is available to view and download from the Minerals UK website.
Relative topics
You may also be interested in:
Critical raw materials
Addressing global concerns over the long-term availability of secure and adequate supplies of the minerals and metals needed by society.
Critical raw materials podcast
In this episode we discuss critical raw materials and the crucial role they will play as we move to a low-to-zero carbon economy
Latest news
Secrets of an ancient supervolcano uncovered that change our understanding of England’s geological past
28/08/2026
Scientists have found evidence of a long-hidden link between an ancient buried ash layer in Scandinavia and a concealed supervolcano in eastern England.
BGS research into drought-exposed soils wins award
26/08/2026
A research paper investigating how temperate soils respond to drought has been announced as the winner of the Land Best Paper Award.
UK aquifers robust despite driest July on record
16/08/2026
In a summer experiencing widespread drought, groundwater levels around the country are showing resilience, demonstrating their value as a crucial resource and indicating they could play a more significant role in mitigating the impacts of extreme weather.
New NERC-funded project empowers young people to engage with environmental science
23/07/2026
BGS is part of a new, collaborative project, funded through NERC’s ‘Opening up the environment’ programme, helping the environmental research community become more accessible.
Delving deep into mountains for future water security
16/07/2026
A BGS-led project is using new water-tracing investigation methods, geophysics and modelling to understand how water moves from mountains to the lowlands, helping to improve water security for billions of people.
Updated national 3D model will determine the depth to the solid bedrock beneath our feet
13/07/2026
The BGS Superficial Deposit Thickness Model now includes an elevation model of geological rockhead for the first time, providing important data for civil engineers, geoscientists and environmental scientists.
UK’s world-class research organisations launch new collective
10/07/2026
The launch of the National Research Organisations Group brings together more than 100 science leaders to provide an authorativive voice on science, research policy and long-term investment.
Cheshire Geoenergy Observatory releases key geological datasets for UK thermal energy storage scheme design
09/07/2026
A new report and data packs from BGS will provide a unique resource for scientists working on the geology and hydrogeology of the Sherwood Sandstone Formation, an important aquifer and reservoir rock.
New geological mapping underway to help manage flooding along the River Tweed
08/07/2026
Scientists are surveying the Tweed catchment for the first time in over 100 years to enhance understanding of localised groundwater and improve flood forecasting.
Geological research in North Sea helping to safeguard subsea cables
06/07/2026
Subsea power and telecommunications cables are critical to the UK’s energy infrastructure and global connectivity, yet they remain vulnerable to damage from ship anchors, fishing activity and natural hazards.
UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre makes recommendations for the next UK criticality assessment
01/07/2026
CMIC has outlined the enhancements made to the next assessment update to ensure it is better tailored to the structure of the UK economy.
From archive to discovery: historical mineral reports support gold exploration in Scotland
25/06/2026
Digitised geological records show potential to unlock untapped mineral resources in Ardlochan, Argyllshire.