The map show the broad distribution of the industrial, including construction, mineral resources of Britain and the main sites where these are worked. Over extensive areas bedrock is covered by superficial deposits, including economically important sand and gravel resources. These superficial deposits are not shown on the map. Resources have been defined by dominant lithology (rock type). The map is a synthesis of the mineral resources and mineral working data held by the BGS in 1996. The published (paper) map has not been superseded however the digital mineral resources and mineral workings data has since been superseded. The map is logically consistent throughout.

Digital GIS mineral planning permission polygons from 1947 to 1985 as digitised from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Planning Permission Maps and Cards (see associated metadata for MHLG Maps, Cards and Scanned Maps ). Data digitised included all planning permissions granted, withdrawn and refused for local authority areas for all of England. Currently 32,000 separate planning permission polygons have been captured from the maps and attributed using the associated card index.