OR/13/013 Introduction

Green, S, Campbell, E, Bide, T P, Balson, P S, Mankelow, J M, Shaw, R A, and Walters, W S. 2013. The mineral resources of Scottish waters and the Central North Sea. British Geological Survey Internal Report, OR/13/013.

Minerals are naturally occurring raw materials essential for the development of a modern economy. However mineral resources are finite and can only be worked where they occur. As their extraction is subject to many constraints, it is important that society uses minerals in the most efficient and sustainable manner. Identifying the distribution of known mineral resources on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) and presenting them in a consistent fashion at a national scale allows minerals to be considered in the marine spatial planning process and permits more effective and sustainable management strategies to be developed.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) has undertaken a commission from The Crown Estate to prepare a series of mineral resource maps which cover the UKCS. Mineral resource information was compiled following a desk study of data held by the BGS and external sources. This report summarises the mineral resources depicted on the fourth of these maps — the area includes Scottish waters and extends south into the central North Sea. This area includes areas around Scotland where the Scottish Government have responsibility for planning as well as the North East marine plan areas as defined by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

The map has been produced by the collation and interpretation of a range of information, much of which is spatially variable and not always available in a consistent and convenient form. The map depicts mineral resources of current or potential future economic interest in the area. It comprises a 1:500 000 scale map (which accompanies this report) depicting marine aggregate (sand and gravel) resources on the sea bed, and three 1:2 500 000 scale maps (as annexes in this report) depicting coal and evaporite resources at depth beneath the sea bed as well as metallic minerals. These map scales are convenient for the overall display of the data. However, all the data are held digitally and therefore may be viewed at variable scales using a Geographical Information System (GIS). This allows for revision, updating and customisation of the information, as well as integration with other datasets.

Figure 1    The UKCS (blue) and area covered by the marine mineral resources assessment.

The purpose of the map is to assist all interested parties involved in the preparation and review of marine plans, both in relation to the extraction of minerals and to the protection of mineral resources from sterilisation by development that prevents future mineral extraction. It provides a knowledge base, in a consistent format, on the nature and extent of mineral resources in the area. The primary objective is to provide baseline data which will assist long-term planning for minerals supply. However, it is anticipated that the map and report will also provide valuable background data for a much wider audience, including the minerals industry, other areas of planning, environmental and regulatory bodies and the general public.