A mineral valuer is a rare thing and, as such, social events can take on a familiar theme. Imagine the scene. I have been invited to dinner to meet some new neighbours. We sit down and the conversation goes something like this:

Hello, I’m Sam. What do you do?

Hi – I’m Alan. I’m a mineral valuer.

Sorry – a mineral what?

A mineral valuer. I value minerals.

Really? Like diamonds?

Well, no.

Gold?

I have valued gold, yes. There are a few mines in Scotland and Ireland but the operations tend to struggle with the nature of the deposit, economies of scale and the fluctuating price of gold.

At this point in the conversation, my fellow guest generally turns to the person sitting on the other side. However, Sam perseveres:

That’s really interesting. What was your name again?

Alan.

Of course. So if you don't value diamonds and there aren't many gold mines in the UK, what do you value?

Well, in the UK it’s mainly construction minerals – sand and gravel for concrete, clay for bricks, that sort of thing, but also more unusual minerals such as silica sand for glass making or china clay to make glossy magazines, well, glossy.

Really? Glossy magazines? This prawn cocktail is nice... Anyway, who do you work for?

I work for Savills.

The people who sell gorgeous houses?

The very same. But Savills is a big multi-disciplinary business these days, specialising in all types of property, including niche areas like minerals. In fact Savills has the biggest minerals property team in the country. We cover the whole of the UK and Ireland and sometimes further afield.

So how exactly do you value a mineral?

It's all about what you can sell into the market and at what price. Basically, the value of the mineral is a proportion of the net profit, that’s sale price less costs, but there are a whole series of other factors that affect the value such as mineral quality and planning permission.

The main course has arrived and Sam is now talking rather animatedly to the person on her other side. I do likewise.

Hi – I’m Alan.

Hello, I’m Emma. What do you do?

I’m a mineral valuer.

Sorry – a mineral what?

A mineral valuer. I value minerals.

Really? Like diamonds?

Further information

Savills Minerals & Waste Management Services