Identification

Title

Mineral Resource Polygons Northern Ireland (Internal Geological Boundaries Dissolved)

Abstract

This mineral resource data was produced as part of the Mineral Resource Map of Northern Ireland via a commission from the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment. The work resulted in a series of 21 data layers which were used to generate a series of six digitally generated maps. This work was completed in 2012 with one map for each of the six counties (including county boroughs) of Northern Ireland at a scale of 1:100 000. This data and the accompanying maps are intended to assist strategic decision making in respect of mineral extraction and the protection of important mineral resources against sterilisation. They bring together a wide range of information, much of which is scattered and not always available in a convenient form. The data has been produced by the collation and interpretation of mineral resource data principally held by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and was funded via a commission from the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment. These layers display the spatial data of the mineral resources of Northern Ireland. There are a series of layers which consist of: Bedrock: Clay, Coal & Lignite, Coal – lignite proven, Conglomerate, Dolomite, Igneous and meta-igneous rock, Limestone, a 100m buffer layer on the Ulster White Limestone, Meta-sedimentary rocks, Perlite, Salt, sandstone and Silica Sand. Superficial (unconsolidated recent sediments) : Sand & gravel and Peat. The data except for the salt and proven lignite resource layers was derived from the 1:50 00 and 1:250 000 scale DigMap NI dataset. A user guide 'The Mineral Resources of Northern Ireland digital dataset (version 1)' OR/12/039 describing the creation and use of the data is available. A companion set of data with the internal boundaries retained is also available.

Resource type

dataset

Resource locator

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/planning/resource.html

function: information

Unique resource identifier

code

http://data.bgs.ac.uk/id/dataHolding/13605663

codeSpace

Dataset language

eng

Spatial reference system

code identifying the spatial reference system

Additional information source

This dataset has been produced by the collation and interpretation of mineral resource data principally held by the British Geological Survey. The mineral resource data presented are based on the best available information, but are not comprehensive and their quality is variable. The inferred boundaries shown are, therefore, approximate. Mineral resources defined in the data delineate areas within which potentially workable minerals may occur. These areas are not of uniform potential and also take no account of planning considerations that may limit their working. The economic potential of specific sites can only be proved by a detailed evaluation programme. Such an investigation is an essential precursor to submitting a planning application for mineral working. The individual merits of the site must then be judged against other land-use planning issues. Extensive areas are shown as having no mineral resource potential, but some isolated mineral workings may occur in these areas. The presence of these operations generally reflects very local or specific situations. The pattern of demand for minerals is continually evolving due to changing economic, technical and environmental factors. The dataset should only be used to show a broad distribution of those mineral resources which may be of current or potential economic interest. The data should not be used to determine individual planning applications or in taking decisions on the acquisition or use of a particular piece of land, although they may give useful background information which sets a specific proposal in context. Criteria used to define resources, for example in terms of mineral to waste ratios, also change with location and time. Thus a mineral deposit with a high proportion of waste may be viable if located in close proximity to a major market, but uneconomic if located further away. These criteria vary depending on the quality of the information available. The extents of mineral resources shown in these data are generally the inferred surface expression of the resource. However, users should note that workable minerals may extend beneath overburden which is adjacent to the outcrop area shown. Bedrock resource for the commodity may exist underneath where a superficial deposit for the same commodity is shown. Bedrock deposits are not shown underneath the superficial deposits for the same commodity type to ensure that the commodity layer is topologically correct (i.e. polygons do not overlap) and can be used in a GIS system for analysis. The Mineral Resource dataset has been developed at 1:50 000 scales and must not be used at larger scales. Digital map data should therefore be used at about the same scale as their original compilation; for example 1:50 000 scale data should not normally be blown up and used at 1:10 000 scales. Most geological maps were originally fitted to a particular topographic base and care must be taken in interpretation, for example when the geological data are draped over a more recent topography. All spatial searches against the data should be done with a minimum 50 m buffer. Mineral resources defined in the data delineate areas within which potentially workable minerals may occur.

Classification of spatial data and services

Topic category

geoscientificInformation

Keywords

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

GEMET - INSPIRE themes

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2008-06-01

Keyword set

keyword value

Planning

Mineral resources

Minerals

Mineral economics

originating controlled vocabulary

title

BGS Thesaurus of Geosciences

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2011

Keyword set

keyword value

NERC_DDC

Geographic location

West bounding longitude

-8.0000

East bounding longitude

-5.3800

North bounding latitude

55.3100

South bounding latitude

54.1000

Extent

Extent group

authority code

title

ISO 3166_1 alpha-3

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2009

code identifying the extent

NIR

Extent group

authority code

title

British Geological Survey Gazetteer: Geographical hierarchy from Geosaurus

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

1979

code identifying the extent

NORTHERN IRELAND [id=181000]

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

2011-01

End position

2012-12

Dataset reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2011

Frequency of update

irregular

Quality and validity

Lineage

Mineral resource were defined within the GIS, using digital geological line work at 1:50 000 scale (the BGS\GSNI DiGMapNI 1: 50k dataset for Northern Ireland from 01.08.2011). For areas with no available 1:50 000 scale geological mapping, 1:250 000 scale data was used (areas of Tyrone, Down and Armagh). Data processing steps: [1] A list and map of the geological lithologies for each of the six counties were supplied to the Economic Geologist for interpretation of which bedrock and superficial geological formations might now, or in the foreseeable future, be of economic value. As many sources of information as possible were consulted when considering which geological units constitute a mineral resource, ranging from historical publications to consultation with geologists with specialist knowledge of the local area. The majority of decisions were based on existing publications such as memoirs, the ‘BritPits’ mines and quarries database and advice from both BGs and GSNI geologists with area-specific knowledge. After all relevant sources of information had been consulted, the lithologies identified in the DiGMap dataset were assigned to the relevant mineral resource classification, for example the Armagh limestone (ARMA-LMST ) = Limestone Carboniferous resource. Once the lithologies from DiGMAp were attributed with resource information and separated out into resource data layers. Geological lines such as faults removed and the final dataset created. All internal lines between different lithologies e.g. Armagh limestone (ARMA-LMST ) and Dartry limestone (DARL-LMST ) are dissolved to identify areas solely as carboniferous limestone. [2] Interpretations are then extracted from the derived from DiGMapNI-50 and DigMapNI-250 versions available at 01.08.2011 and given a mineral resource attribute and colour. Editing was carried out to resolve the mismatching sheet boundaries and gaps in the data. [3] Maps were re-supplied to the Economic Geologist for correction. Small areas of resources were deleted when considered to be uneconomic/unworkable. [4] Drafts of the finished maps taken to stakeholders for comment. Stakeholder consultation was also an important input into the process. The views of representatives of the minerals industry, planners and national government were all considered. [5] Maps approved and digital data, collated for each map, sent to GIS specialist for dataset preparation and cleaning. [6] Data produced for each map was merged together to produce national files based on resource commodity. [7] Mineral commodity and name attributes are correctly assigned using the legend supplied by Economic Geologist. [8] Polygons dissolved based on name attribute, removing all county boundaries. [9] Remove sliver polygons (created as a result of geological sheet boundaries) where possible and re-dissolve. [10] Multipart to single part operation conducted on each dataset. [11] Redundant attributes removed. [12] Repair geometry operation to clean the dataset. [13] Economic Geologist approves final resource dataset.

Conformity

Conformity report

specification

title

INSPIRE Implementing rules laying down technical arrangements for the interoperability and harmonisation of Geology

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2011

degree

false

explanation

See the referenced specification

Conformity report

specification

title

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2010-12-08

degree

false

explanation

See http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:323:0011:0102:EN:PDF

Data format

name of format

Paper Map

version of format

Constraints related to access and use

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, via the BGS Intellectual Property Rights Manager. Use by customers of information provided by the BGS, is at the customer's own risk. In view of the disparate sources of information at BGS's disposal, including such material donated to BGS, that BGS accepts in good faith as being accurate, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the quality or accuracy of the information supplied, or to the information's suitability for any use. NERC/BGS accepts no liability whatever in respect of loss, damage, injury or other occurence however caused.

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

organisation name

British Geological Survey

full postal address

Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth

NOTTINGHAM

NG12 5GG

United Kingdom

telephone number

0115 936 3143

facsimile number

0115 936 3276

email address

enquiries@bgs.ac.uk

responsible party role

distributor

Responsible party

organisation name

British Geological Survey

full postal address

Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth

NOTTINGHAM

NG12 5GG

United Kingdom

telephone number

0115 936 3143

facsimile number

0115 936 3276

email address

enquiries@bgs.ac.uk

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Responsible party

organisation name

British Geological Survey

full postal address

Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth

NOTTINGHAM

NG12 5GG

United Kingdom

telephone number

0115 936 3143

facsimile number

0115 936 3276

email address

enquiries@bgs.ac.uk

responsible party role

custodian

Metadata on metadata

Metadata point of contact

organisation name

British Geological Survey

full postal address

Environmental Science Centre,Keyworth

NOTTINGHAM

NG12 5GG

United Kingdom

telephone number

+44 115 936 3100

email address

enquiries@bgs.ac.uk

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Metadata date

2021-10-19

Metadata language

eng