⛏️ Introduction to Mineral Resources
Minerals are naturally occurring substances with definite chemical composition and physical properties.
Mineral: A naturally occurring inorganic substance having an orderly atomic structure and definite chemical composition.
The mining sector contributes about 2.5% to India's GDP and employs about 0.3% of the total workforce. Minerals are essential raw materials for industries and form the basis for economic development.
🏔️ Classification of Minerals
1. Metallic Minerals
- Ferrous Minerals: Contain iron (Iron ore, manganese, chromite, nickel)
- Non-ferrous Minerals: Do not contain iron (Bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, gold)
2. Non-Metallic Minerals
- Mica, limestone, dolomite, gypsum, phosphate
- Used in cement, fertilizer, chemical industries
3. Energy Minerals
- Coal, petroleum, natural gas, uranium
- Provide energy for industrial and domestic use
🗺️ Distribution of Major Minerals in India
a) The North-Eastern Plateau Region b) The North-Western Region c) The South-Western Plateau Region d) The Himalayan belt| Mineral | Major Producing States | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Ore | Odisha (33%), Chhattisgarh (20%), Karnataka (18%), Jharkhand (14%) | Steel production, manufacturing |
| Manganese | Odisha (37%), Madhya Pradesh (22%), Maharashtra (15%) | Steel production, dry batteries |
| Bauxite | Odisha (51%), Gujarat (16%), Jharkhand (9%) | Aluminum production |
| Copper | Madhya Pradesh (53%), Rajasthan (43%) | Electrical equipment, alloys |
| Mica | Andhra Pradesh (42%), Rajasthan (28%), Odisha (21%) | Electrical and electronic industries |
Important Mines in India:
- Iron Ore: Bailadila (Chhattisgarh), Noamundi (Jharkhand), Kudremukh (Karnataka)
- Coal: Jharia, Raniganj (West Bengal), Singrauli (MP)
- Bauxite: Panchpatmali (Odisha), Amarkantak (MP)
⚡ Energy Resources in India
1. Conventional Energy Sources
Coal
- India has the 4th largest coal reserves in the world
- Types: Anthracite (best quality), Bituminous, Lignite, Peat
- Major coalfields: Damodar Valley (Jharkhand, WB), Godavari Valley (Telangana)
Petroleum and Natural Gas
- Major oil fields: Mumbai High (63% of production), Assam (Digboi, Naharkatiya)
- Natural gas reserves: Krishna-Godavari basin, Assam, Gulf of Cambay
- Refineries: Jamnagar (largest), Mathura, Barauni
2. Non-Conventional Energy Sources
| Source | Potential | Major Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Energy | 5,000 trillion kWh/year | Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh |
| Wind Energy | 302 GW potential | Tamil Nadu (Muppandal), Gujarat, Maharashtra |
| Biomass | 18 GW installed capacity | Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra |
| Nuclear Energy | 6.78 GW capacity | Tarapur (Maharashtra), Kudankulam (TN), Kaiga (Karnataka) | Tidal and Wave Energy, (energy from the tidal waves and ocean current) | -- | , India has great potential for the development of tidal energy along the coasts | Geothermal Energy,(heat from interior of earth is converted to electrical energy) | - | In India, a geothermal energy plant has been commissioned at Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh | Bio-energy (energy derived from biological products also waste and garbage) | - | One such project converting municipal waste into energy is Okhla in Delhi. |
🌱 Conservation of Mineral and Energy Resources
Need for Conservation
- Minerals are non-renewable and exhaustible
- Increasing demand due to industrialization and population growth
- To reduce environmental degradation caused by mining
Methods of Conservation
- Recycling: Metals like aluminum, copper, lead can be recycled
- Substitution: Using abundant materials instead of scarce ones
- Efficient Technologies: Adopting energy-efficient processes
- Legal Measures: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act
- Public Awareness: Promoting sustainable consumption
Government Initiatives:
- National Mineral Policy 2019
- Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY)
- National Solar Mission
- Ujjwala Yojana for LPG distribution
📊 Important Statistics
Mineral Production (2021-22)
- Coal: 777 million tonnes
- Iron ore: 246 million tonnes
- Bauxite: 22 million tonnes
- Manganese: 3 million tonnes
Energy Capacity (2023)
- Total installed capacity: 416 GW
- Renewable energy share: ~40%
- Coal-based: 50% of total
- Hydro: 11% of total
📝 Important Questions
1. Describe the distribution of iron ore in India.
(5 marks - Expected length: 150 words)
2. Differentiate between conventional and non-conventional energy sources with examples.
(3 marks - Expected length: 80 words)
3. Explain any three methods of conserving mineral resources in India.
(3 marks - Expected length: 80 words)
4. Why is there a need to develop non-conventional energy resources in India? Give reasons.
(5 marks - Expected length: 150 words)