Review of minerals surveys in England

Brown, T.J.; Wrighton, C.E.; Mankelow, J.M.. 2011 Review of minerals surveys in England. British Geological Survey, 41pp. (OR/11/026) (Unpublished)

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Abstract/Summary

There are a number of statistical surveys carried out in England which establish the evidence base for minerals policies and enable monitoring to take place. However, these surveys place a burden on all parties, both in time and costs, for the completion of forms, the collation of data and the publication of results. Whilst an evidence base is essential to provide sufficient information to enable Mineral Planning Authorities to discharge their duties, there is concern that ‘survey fatigue’ has a negative impact on the results obtained. It is important that any surveys undertaken are clear, relevant and focused on essential information; in other words that they are ‘fit for purpose’. As a consequence, the British Geological Survey (BGS) was requested by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to review the scope of existing statistical surveys relating to minerals and to make recommendations on how current data collection could be improved. In order to undertake the review the BGS consulted with a range of external partners and their input proved valuable. This report presents information on the following surveys: • The Annual Mineral Raised Enquiry; • Annual Monitoring by Mineral Planning Authorities; • The Aggregate Minerals Survey; • The Quarterly Survey of Marine Aggregates; • The Crown Estate Marine Aggregates Half-Yearly Royalty Returns; • The Survey of Land for Mineral Working; • The Digest of UK Energy Statistics; • Surveys of recycled and secondary aggregates; and • Surveys of coal production. It is clear that all parties recognise the need for the complete and accurate data collected through the various minerals surveys. With the exception of the Survey of Land for Mineral Working it is considered that the outputs from the surveys are worthwhile and justify the time and cost involved. Whilst all other surveys collect and present valuable data, those covering recycled (specifically Construction, Demolition and Excavation Waste (CDEW)) and secondary aggregates need significant improvement primarily through means of increasing the response rate and survey coverage. There is some overlap between surveys and hence duplication of data provided. However, where this is the case, streamlining in recent years has already occurred by ensuring that questions asked by the different surveys are aligned. Combining surveys is difficult to achieve because they include different data and are carried out for different purposes by different organisations. The legal auspices, or requirements to preserve confidentiality, prevent the sharing of overlapping raw data collected by different surveys between the surveying organisations or the expansion of the remit of one survey in order to remove another.

Item Type:	Publication - Report
Programmes:	BGS Programmes 2010 > Minerals and waste
Funders/Sponsors:	NERC
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This item has been internally reviewed but not externally peer-reviewed
Date made live:	06 May 2011 13:07 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/14163

Item Type:

Publication - Report

Programmes:

BGS Programmes 2010 > Minerals and waste

Funders/Sponsors:

NERC

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

This item has been internally reviewed but not externally peer-reviewed

Date made live:

06 May 2011 13:07 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/14163