The Economic Importance of Minerals to the UK

This report was produced by the British Geological Survey for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Minerals and Waste Planning Division). It forms one of a number of reports, leaflets and mineral profiles prepared under the Joint ODPM-BGS Minerals Programme that, among other objectives, seeks to present factual and authoritative data on the extent, availability, production, trade and use of minerals that are of economic importance to the UK. Much of this information is made available on the BGS minerals website: www.mineralsUK.com. The report has been written in such a way as to be suitable for a wide non-economist audience and has avoided too much detail and economic theory. Its production contributes to a better understanding of the economic and social issues associated with the production and use of minerals and their contribution to sustainable economic development.