The average UK person will consumer around 35 lorry-loads of minerals and metals in a lifetime.

New research from the British Geological Survey (BGS) has revealed that the average person will consume around 35 lorry-loads of minerals and metals in a lifetime and around ten tonnes – approximately the weight of seven cars – every year.

According to the organisation, humans depend on mineral resources to maintain their lifestyles, using minerals such as: energy minerals in the form of coal and oil; construction minerals such as concrete and brick; metals including copper and aluminium; and industrial minerals such as salt and limestone.

Andrew Bloodworth, Head of Science for Minerals at the BGS, said: “Minerals are essential to our modern lifestyle – if it can’t be grown, it has to be mined. These [BGS website] pages show that, despite massive increases in recycling, minerals and metals are vital components in our lives, used to make everything from mobile phones and cars to houses and roads.”

In a lifetime, the average UK person uses around 80 tonnes of coal and over 100 tonnes of petroleum. Although vital, minerals are non-renewable and therefore people are advised to use alternative materials or to recycle where possible.

The BGS provides geological expertise and information to governments, businesses and individuals, and is part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The organisation has created a unique online resource that provides information about minerals and metals, and shows online users what a lifetime of a supply of minerals and metals looks like. Visit www.mineralsuk.com for more information.