Shetland Islands Council

Minerals

Topic Goal

To conserve Shetland's aggregate sources and mineral deposits and ensure that, where possible, the Islands needs can be met using local resources and to encourage commercial extraction in suitable locations

8.1 The Council is keen to encourage diverse employment opportunities throughout Shetland and encourage sustainabilty. Mineral and aggregate reserves have the potential to provide employment and locally sourced materials for construction, in addition to supplying export markets.

Construction Materials

8.2 Shetland has substantial reserves of rock suitable for general and more specialised aggregate* use. In a survey carried out in 1992, quarry operators reported sufficient landbank reserves for the Structure Plan period i.e. 10 - 20 years. Near Quendale, some commercial sand extraction occurs but the possible exacerbation of coastal erosion limits the potential for further extraction. Sand can be produced as a by-product of rock crushing and, although the current level of quarry waste if recycled would not meet local needs, recycling waste rock at a coastal export quarry could be sufficient to supply the local market. A survey into potential sources of flagstones in Shetland identified a number of locations that may have the potential to be quarried for local use.

Other Minerals

8.3 A wide range of base and industrial minerals are present in Shetland including chromite, copper, zinc, lead, iron, talc, magnesite, gold and platinum. In the mid 1980s, Shetland was responsible for 99% of Britain's talc production and there remain deposits with potential for extraction in Unst, Fetlar and Cunningsburgh. Copper has been mined in the past at Sandwick and Quendale and surveys have suggested that gold could potentially be exploited in parts of the Mainland and Unst.

8.4 In response to interest in setting up a coastal export quarry in Shetland a study was commissioned to identify suitable locations. Sites identified at Hamar Ness in Northmavine and north east of Sullom Voe will be safeguarded in the Local Plan.

8.5 Mineral and aggregate extraction can cause nuisance from dust, vibration and noise pollution, be visually intrusive and damaging to habitats unless care is taken over siting, operational conditions, restoration and aftercare. Many of Shetland's quarries and borrow pits do not have planning permission and few of them have been or are being actively restored. Disused quarries can spoil the landscape and attract flytipping and the Council is keen to support efforts to reinstate old pits. Shetland Amenity Trust is active in clearing redundant plant and rubbish tipped at existing pits and will be producing a programme for borrow pit restoration.

* aggregate can be broadly defined as sand, gravel, or crushed solid rock used in the construction industry

Partners

Strategies

Plan Performance Indicators

• Planning Applications for new or extensions to existing quarry workings/mineral extraction.
• Planning Applications for development approved/refused in quarry/mineral safeguarding areas.
• Landbank estimates.
• Annual extraction rates.