Utilisation of multiple current and legacy datasets to create a national minerals inventory: A UK case study

Mineral resources are vital for economic growth and maintaining quality of life. In order to maintain a steady, adequate, and sustainable supply of minerals it is important that appropriate policies exist at all levels of government. Sufficient information must be available to inform the land-use planning process and the development of minerals supply strategies. An important first stage for improving the security of supply of minerals is to identify the locations of a country's mineral resources and estimate the quantities that may be present. Whilst the existence of resources does not mean that they will be extracted, knowing what minerals can be found within a jurisdiction can facilitate the development of strategies for their sustainable management, and to inform the negotiation of trade relationships.