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What is a geological resource?

Geological resources are a type of natural resource. This means they have been produced by the environment.

A cartoon map of the UK with four labels showing different geological resources. They include china clay, metals, and fossil fuels.

Geological resources are found underground. These include:

  • Minerals like china clay, also known as kaolin
  • Metals like tin and gold
  • Fossil fuels like gas and oil
A gas platform pumping up natural gas from below the ocean. Gas is used for cooking and powering some vehicles.
Image caption,
A gas platform pumping up natural gas from below the ocean. Gas is used for cooking and powering some vehicles.
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Examples of geological resources

  • Minerals are naturally occurring substances, such as limestone, clay, iron ore and gold.

  • Aggregates are materials often used for building, such as sand, gravel or crushed stone.

  • Sand is the second most extracted natural material by humans, after water.

A building site with diggers on it.
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Sand is important in the building industry.
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Watch: The different types of natural resources

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How do we get resources from the ground?

To get geological resources we extract (dig) them from the ground. We do this by:

  • Quarrying is the surface (ground level) extraction of minerals.

  • In the UK we quarry industrial and construction minerals such as sand and clay.

  • Mining is the underground extraction of minerals such as metal ores, coal and gemstones.

  • The North Sea has been an area for mining fossil fuels such as oil and gas.

In the future the world needs to focus on green, cleaner forms of energy, such as wind power, instead.

Delabore slate quarry in North Cornwall in England.
Image caption,
Delabore slate quarry in North Cornwall in England.
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Activities

Activity 1: Geological or agricultural resource?

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Activity 2: Geological resources quiz

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