For England, the key national planning policies for minerals are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published in 2012. The focus of the NPPF is a presumption in favour of sustainable development. The NPPF recognises that minerals are essential to support sustainable economic growth and our quality of life. As a result it is important that there is a sufficient supply of material to provide the infrastructure, buildings, energy and goods that the country needs whilst ensuring that permitted mineral operations do not have unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment or human health. The NPPF also recognises that, since minerals are a finite natural resource, and can only be worked where they are found, it is important to make best use of them and to secure their long-term conservation through the mechanism of mineral safeguarding.
Value chain relevance
- EXPLORATION (incl. permitting)