Mining Magazine July 2019 | Page 44

SUSTAINABILITY & CSR
44

The UK ( and Ireland ) have a rich mining heritage , peaking during bygone days when vast deposits of coal and iron ore drove the industrial revolution and built an empire . 100 years ago , the nation was largely selfsufficient – a far cry from today .

In fact , to most of the British public , mining itself belongs in this bygone era . When asked to describe mining , most conjure images of Margaret Thatcher , picket lines , and a beetroot-faced Arthur Scargill . Thankfully , that rather blinkered view could be about to change . Recent developments indicate the UK is on the brink of a mining renaissance with several interesting projects at various stages of development ; from grass roots to advanced feasibility and through to operating mines . Many of these projects have been previously worked or known about for years ; but as the technological , economic or political landscape changes , so it seems has the viability of previously well-sheltered UK mineral assets .
Globalisation and low-cost com-
JULY 2019