Mineral and Energy Resources

Introduction to Mineral and Energy Resources

1. Definition: Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic substances with a definite chemical composition and physical properties.
2. Minerals are classified as metallic, non-metallic, and energy minerals based on their composition and use.
3. India is rich in mineral resources, with deposits of coal, iron ore, bauxite, and manganese being among the largest in the world.
4. The formation of minerals depends on geological processes such as crystallization, sedimentation, and metamorphism.
5. Mineral resources are unevenly distributed across India, with regions like Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan having significant reserves.
6. Mining and extraction of minerals impact the environment, leading to deforestation, pollution, and land degradation.
7. The Indian mining sector is regulated by laws like the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
8. Minerals are essential for industrial development, infrastructure, and economic growth.
9. India is focusing on sustainable mining practices to balance economic development with environmental protection.
10. The government has launched initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and the National Mineral Policy (2019) to boost domestic mineral production.

Types of Minerals and Their Distribution

(a) Metallic Minerals

1. Definition: Metallic minerals contain metallic elements in their composition, such as iron, copper, and gold.
2. Ferrous minerals contain iron (e.g., iron ore, manganese, chromite).
3. Non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron (e.g., bauxite, copper, zinc, lead).
4. Major iron ore belts in India:
   • Odisha-Jharkhand belt (Singhbhum, Mayurbhanj)
   • Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt (Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra)
   • Ballari-Chitradurga-Chikkamagaluru-Tumakuru belt (Karnataka)
   • Goa belt (export-oriented)
5. Bauxite (used in aluminum production) is found in Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.
6. Copper deposits are found in Rajasthan (Khetri), Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
7. Zinc and lead are mined in Rajasthan (Zawar mines).
8. Gold is mined in Karnataka (Kolar, Hutti) and Andhra Pradesh (Ramgiri).
9. Manganese (used in steelmaking) is found in Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
10. Chromite (used in stainless steel) is found in Odisha (Sukinda Valley).

(b) Non-Metallic Minerals

1. Definition: Non-metallic minerals do not contain metals and are used in industry and construction.
2. Examples include limestone, mica, gypsum, dolomite, and graphite.
3. Limestone (used in cement industry) is found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
4. Mica (used in electrical insulation) is found in Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh.
5. Gypsum (used in cement and fertilizers) is found in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
6. Graphite (used in lubricants and batteries) is found in Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand.
7. India has large reserves of salt, mainly in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan.
8. China clay (kaolin), used in ceramics and paper, is found in Kerala, West Bengal, and Rajasthan.
9. Dolomite, used in the iron and steel industry, is found in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
10. India imports high-quality phosphate minerals for fertilizer production.

Energy Resources in India

(a) Conventional Energy Resources

1. Coal:
   • India is the second-largest producer of coal.
   • Major types: Anthracite, Bituminous, Lignite, Peat.
   • Found in Jharkhand (Jharia), Odisha (Talcher), Chhattisgarh (Korba), and West Bengal (Raniganj).
   • Used in thermal power generation, steel, and cement industries.
   • Coal India Limited (CIL) is the largest coal producer in India.
2. Petroleum (Crude Oil):
   • India imports over 80% of its crude oil.
   • Major oil fields: Mumbai High, Gujarat (Ankleshwar), Assam (Digboi, Duliajan), Rajasthan (Barmer).
   • Used in transport, power generation, and petrochemicals.
   • ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) is the leading oil producer in India.
3. Natural Gas:
   • Found in Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Tripura.
   • Used in power generation, fertilizer production, and CNG for transport.
   • Reliance KG-D6 basin and ONGC Krishna-Godavari basin are major sources.
4. Electricity Generation:
   • Thermal power (coal-based) accounts for over 60% of India’s electricity.
   • Hydropower projects like Bhakra Nangal (Sutlej) and Tehri Dam (Bhagirathi) provide clean energy.
   • Nuclear power plants are located in Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu), Tarapur (Maharashtra), Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu), and Rawatbhata (Rajasthan).

(b) Non-Conventional Energy Resources

1. Solar Energy:
   • India is among the top solar energy producers.
   • Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have large solar parks.
   • International Solar Alliance (ISA) was launched by India to promote global solar energy use.
2. Wind Energy:
   • India ranks among the top wind energy producers.
   • Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have large wind farms.
3. Biomass and Biogas:
   • Used in rural households and industries.
   • National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP) promotes biogas plants.
4. Geothermal and Tidal Energy:
   • Puga Valley (Ladakh) and Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh) have geothermal potential.
   • Tidal energy projects are being explored in Gujarat and West Bengal.

Conservation of Mineral and Energy Resources

1. Minerals are non-renewable and require sustainable management.
2. Conservation strategies:
   • Promoting recycling and reuse of metals.
   • Substituting scarce minerals with more abundant alternatives.
   • Adopting eco-friendly mining practices.
   • Developing energy-efficient technologies.
3. Government policies:
   • National Mineral Policy (2019) promotes scientific mining.
   • Renewable Energy Policy focuses on solar, wind, and hydropower expansion.
   • The Energy Efficiency Mission under NAPCC encourages sustainable energy use.
4. Public awareness and community participation are vital for resource conservation.
5. Afforestation and land reclamation are essential to mitigate mining-related environmental damage.

MCQs

1. Consider the following statements regarding metallic minerals:

1. Ferrous minerals contain iron, while non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron.
2. Bauxite is a non-ferrous mineral used for aluminum production.
3. Iron ore is primarily found in the Western Ghats of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Iron ore is mainly found in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka, not the Western Ghats. Ferrous minerals contain iron (e.g., iron ore, manganese), while non-ferrous minerals do not (e.g., bauxite, copper).

2. Which of the following pairs of minerals and their major locations in India are correctly matched?

1. Copper – Khetri, Rajasthan
2. Manganese – Sukinda Valley, Odisha
3. Gold – Ramgiri, Andhra Pradesh

Select the correct answer using the codes below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Manganese is not found in Sukinda Valley, Odisha; instead, chromite is found there. Copper is mined in Khetri, Rajasthan, and gold is found in Ramgiri, Andhra Pradesh.

3. Consider the following statements regarding coal in India:

1. India is the world’s largest producer of coal.
2. Anthracite is the highest quality coal with the highest carbon content.
3. Raniganj in West Bengal is a major coal-producing region.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: India is the second-largest producer of coal, after China. Anthracite is indeed the highest-quality coal, and Raniganj is a significant coalfield in West Bengal.

4. Which of the following statements regarding India’s nuclear power is/are correct?

1. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is located in Tamil Nadu.
2. Tarapur Nuclear Power Plant is India’s oldest nuclear power station.
3. Kalpakkam Nuclear Power Plant is located in Gujarat.

Select the correct answer using the codes below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Kalpakkam Nuclear Power Plant is in Tamil Nadu, not Gujarat. Kudankulam is also in Tamil Nadu, and Tarapur (Maharashtra) is India’s oldest nuclear power plant.

5. Which of the following are conventional sources of energy?

1. Hydropower
2. Solar power
3. Petroleum
4. Natural Gas

Select the correct answer using the codes below:
(a) 1, 2, and 3 only
(b) 1, 3, and 4 only
(c) 2, 3, and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: (b) 1, 3, and 4 only
Explanation: Solar power is a non-conventional (renewable) source of energy, while hydropower, petroleum, and natural gas are conventional sources.

6. Consider the following statements about wind energy in India:

1. India ranks among the top wind energy producers in the world.
2. Tamil Nadu has the largest installed capacity of wind energy in India.
3. Wind energy is a form of non-conventional energy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation: India is among the leading wind energy producers, with Tamil Nadu having the largest installed capacity. Wind energy is a renewable (non-conventional) source of energy.

7. Which of the following government initiatives is correctly matched with its objective?

1. National Mineral Policy (2019) – Promotes sustainable and scientific mining.
2. National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP) – Encourages biogas plant installations.
3. International Solar Alliance (ISA) – Focuses on promoting coal-based thermal energy.

Select the correct answer using the codes below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) promotes solar energy, not coal-based thermal energy. The other two initiatives are correctly matched.

8. Consider the following statements about conservation of mineral resources:

1. Recycling of metals helps in reducing mineral wastage.
2. Substituting scarce minerals with abundant alternatives is an effective conservation method.
3. Afforestation has no role in mitigating mining-related environmental damage.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Afforestation plays a crucial role in mitigating mining-related environmental damage by restoring vegetation and preventing land degradation.

9. Which of the following statements about petroleum in India is/are correct?

1. India is self-sufficient in crude oil production.
2. Mumbai High is one of India’s largest oil fields.
3. The Krishna-Godavari Basin has significant petroleum reserves.

Select the correct answer using the codes below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: India imports over 80% of its crude oil and is not self-sufficient. Mumbai High and Krishna-Godavari Basin are major petroleum reserves.

10. Which of the following statements regarding natural gas in India is/are correct?

1. It is used for power generation and as a transport fuel (CNG).
2. The Krishna-Godavari Basin has significant natural gas reserves.
3. Natural gas is entirely imported, as India lacks domestic production.

Select the correct answer using the codes below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: India does produce natural gas domestically, primarily from the Krishna-Godavari Basin and Assam, though it also imports LNG.