The minerals industry is one of Britain’s largest manufacturing sectors with a turnover of £22 billion.

The flow of aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, stone, mortar and silica sand into the economy makes mineral products the nation’s biggest materials producer – around 419 million tonnes each year.

Besides being an essential, indigenous and primary producer in its own right, the mineral products industry is also a direct and crucial part of the supply chain for a whole host of other important industries.

For example, the mineral products sector is the single largest supplier to the £178 billion construction industry.

Contribution to the Scottish economy

MPA figures for 2022 show production in Scotland of:

Life’s Essentials

Daily life would be impossible without mineral products the products.

At home

Whether a house or an apartment, the chances are that the vast majority of the materials used in the building are derived from mineral products:

• Foundations are made from concrete (aggregates & cement)
• Walls are made from bricks (clay & sand) or blocks (concrete), bonded with mortar (sand & cement)
• The roof tiles are made from clay, concrete or slate
• The plasterboard and plaster are made from gypsum
• The render is made from sand & cement or lime
• The glass is made using high-purity silica sand and limestone
• Sanitaryware and tiling is made from clay
• Paints and plastics are made using high-purity silica sand
• Steel structures are made using iron ore and limestone
• Driveways, paths and patios are made from gravel, crushed rock, concrete products or asphalt

Essential everywhere

Our towns, cities and national infrastructure (transport, utilities, etc) are made from aggregates, concrete, asphalt and other products derived from minerals. Even steel and glass can’t be made without essential minerals like limestone and high-purity silica sand. The relative ease, comfort, safety and security we enjoy in our everyday lives depends on a reliable supply of raw materials from the ground.

Approximately half of all mineral products used in Britain go to public sector projects from social housing, schools and hospitals to roads, railways and flood defences. The other half goes is used by the private sector for housing, retail and leisure facilities, commercial and industrial developments and essential energy and water infrastructure.