Mineral extraction and the conservation of geotopes; experiences in The Netherlands

For a conservationist of earth-science sites the extraction of minerals poses a significant dichotomy between conserving geological landscapes on one side and creating and preserving new outcrops on the other. In order to maintain or even improve landscape quality a list of these ecological, earth-scientific, culturally and historically important areas is essential for nature and landscape conservation. The general starting point for the national policy on extraction is that mining should be socially acceptable. In a lowland country like the Netherlands in which the number of natural outcrops is very rare the artificial ones made by mining are of great importance. Surface mining creates outcrops in formerly hidden geological formations, which are of interest to geologists for scientific and educational reasons. If the decision to allow mining has been taken, the conservationist has to ensure that geologically important sites in the pits and quarries remain accessible for research and education after extraction ceases.