User Guide Mining Hazard (not including coal) in Great Britain. Version 5.1

Underground extraction of minerals and rocks has taken place in Britain for more than 5000 years. A variety of raw materials have been extracted, ranging from precious metals such as gold and silver, to sandstone and gypsum, using both surface and underground methods. The voids resulting from past underground mining activity could pose a possible hazard. The Mining Hazard (not including coal) in Great Britain data layer draws together a diverse range of information derived from geology, which constrains distribution. Supplemented by literature searches to identify historic locations and expert knowledge to assemble, interpret and compile a digital dataset indicating the spatial extent of former mine workings. Mining of coal is specifically excluded from this dataset and enquiries on past coal mining should be directed to the Coal Authority. Information relating to individual polygons is stored in an attribute table and includes the hazards classifications used, which are described in section 2.3 and the minerals worked.