Geological, technical and legal problems in the exploration and exploitation of sand and clay. A summary of case studies in the Pleistocene Northern German Lowlands

Although sand and clay are in abundance in the deep-reaching Pleistocene and Tertiary sediments of Northern Germany, access to sand and clay deposits has become a major problem for the building industry, brickyards and their suppliers. This is primarily the result of competing land uses i.e. great demand for agricultural, development, traffic, recreational and natural conservation areas. But the problem is also caused by the nature of the deposits themselves: by a shortage in high quality clays, usually restricted to small and often inhomogeneous geological structures; by the prevailing absence of coarse grain in sand layers, and the scarcity of gravel; and by high groundwater levels that prevent dry extraction.

As most reserves cannot be exploited, although designated as priority areas by the Geological Survey, companies in need of bulk raw material must carry out their own extensive prospecting, subsequent exploration and development of suitable reserves. This is followed by a complicated approval procedure, especially when water legislation is involved.

• 1 INTRODUCTION

• 2 DEMAND FOR BULK RAW MATERIALS

• 3 PROSPECTING, COMPETING LAND-USES, LEGAL AND PRACTICAL CONFLICTS

• 4 PRELIMINARY SITE EXPLORATION AND SITE SELECTION

• 5 DETAILED SITE EXPLORATION

• 6 EXPLOITATION

• 7 ACKNOWELDGEMENTS

• 8 LITERATURE