Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Plan Framework: Minerals

Mineral extraction makes a significant contribution to the economy providing raw materials and creating employment, but it may also have some adverse effects on the environment if not properly regulated.

Mineral resources within the Plan area comprise sand and gravel, hardrock, lignite and peat. The mineral excavated from the active hardrock quarries in the Plan area is primarily basalt and such quarries can be found in each Council area.

In 2002 a mineral resource survey of Limavady District identified the spatial distribution of superficial deposits of sand and gravel in the area. These resources have been classified geologically according to the processes governing their formation. The survey recorded sand and gravel being actively excavated primarily south of Dungiven in the Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, while a number of former extraction pits have been identified south of Limavady town. Smaller sand and gravel pits are in operation south of Ballymoney and Ballycastle.