Publication record details

Title The mineral resource maps of Wales
Ref no OR/10/032
Author Humpage, A.J.; Bide, T.P.
Year of publication 2010
Abstract Minerals are essential for the development of a modern economy, but mineral resources are finite and they can only be worked where they occur. As their extraction is subject to a number of constraints, it is essential that society uses minerals in the most efficient and sustainable manner. Identifying the distribution of known mineral resources in Wales and presenting them in a consistent fashion across the whole country allows minerals to be considered with other land-use information and permits more effective and sustainable management strategies to be developed. The British Geological Survey has undertaken a commission through its Mineral Resources and Policy team, led from the BGS Cardiff office, to prepare for the Welsh Assembly Government a series of six mineral resources maps which cover the whole of the Principality of Wales. This work was completed in June 2010 and the series of digitally generated maps at a scale of 1:100 000 are now available. Theses maps cover the 25 Unitary and Mineral Planning Authority areas of Wales. Wales contains a wide range of minerals, many of which have been exploited since historical times. There are still significant energy resources in the coalfields of South and North-east Wales, limestones and sandstones across Wales with a range of aggregate and industrial uses and significant deposits of sand, gravel and clay. These resources are important national assets and adequate and steady supplies are needed to maintain current and future economic development. The major elements of minerals information presented on the maps are: The geological distribution of all onshore (above low water mark) mineral resources in Wales The location of mineral extraction sites The recorded occurrences of metallic minerals The recorded location of former slate quarries and significant areas of slate waste The recorded location of historic building stone quarries
Publisher British Geological Survey
Series Open Reports
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