Industry failing to replenish aggregates reserves

Aggregates companies are not even coming close to replenishing the sand and gravel and crushed rock that they extract each year. Since 2000, the aggregates industry has extracted 1,150 million tonnes of aggregates, but consents for new reserves have been estimated at less than 600 million tonnes over the same period.

The situation was particularly acute in 2001 and 2003, when the industry managed to gain additional reserves representing less than one third of the aggregates extracted.

These are some of the conclusions drawn by BDS Marketing & Research Ltd, who have been monitoring monthly planning applications and new mineral consents over many years.

According to the consultancy, falling landbanks will put into question the industry’s ability to supply future markets, particularly major construction projects such as those relating to the 2012 Olympics.

A number of particular regional problem areas have also been identified, including hard stone reserves in the West Midlands, and sand and gravel reserves in the South East, Dorset, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.

Of the five major aggregates companies, Hanson are thought to have the best overall reserves position in sand and gravel, while in crushed rock BDS say the nationals appear to have a similar reserves life in total, notwithstanding significant local differences.

For further details about BDS’s monthly mineral planning application and consent reports, or the company’s recently published reserves report listing all operating pits and quarries by company and location, with an estimate of reserves life and quantity for each, contact BDS Marketing.