Bulk mineral flows and the sustainable development of the north west of England

Although industrial economies depend on natural resources to fulfil fundamental societal needs and to improve quality of life, increasing exploitation of these resources is exerting increasing pressure on our planet's ecological integrity. This paper, focusing on construction minerals, establishes a mass balance framework for the chosen case study - the North West of England - and uses the results to examine the implications for the sustainability of the region. The authors contend that a better understanding of the regional flow of materials, and the impact of human activity on surrounding ecosystems, will help to underpin informed decision-making. © 2004 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.