A hard rock aggregate quarry produces crushed rock for use in road construction. Every Norwegian uses yearly 10 to 15 tons of mineral-products. Modern society cannot manage without minerals.
A quarry in Kristiansund, Western Norway. Photo: Rolv M. Dahl
Our Norwegian georesources include large mineral deposits, rich oil and gas reservoirs, and hidden groundwater and ground-source thermal resources.
Raw material production worth 11 billion NOK
Mineral deposits include, for instance, iron for steel production, limestone for paper production, aggregate for road construction, sand for concrete, dimension stone for building facades and floors, or coal for energy production or for use in metallurgical industry.
The Norwegian mining industry represents a market for mineral raw material worth 11 billion NOK. More than 60 % of products is exported with the most important producers spread out along Norway's coastline. The most important provinces by production are Møre og Romsdal, Rogaland, Nordland, Vestfold and Finnmark.
Ground-source heat and groundwater
Also you can harvest energy from your own garden. Energy is stored below the lawn and driveway besides your house. Ground-source heat is an environment-friendly energy alternative where the energy stored in soil, bedrock or groundwater is exploited.
NGU is the national authority for knowledge and data on groundwater. Groundwater is an important resource for high-quality water, and exploitation of groundwater is steadily increasing. About 14 % of all freshwater on Earth is found below the surface in sediments and bedrock.
Published: 22. January 2008