MINERAL AND ENERGY RESOURCES

 MINERAL AND ENERGY RESOURCES 

PART A: MINERAL RESOURCES

1. Meaning of Minerals

• Naturally occurring, inorganic, homogeneous substances with a definite chemical composition.

• Found in the earth’s crust; unevenly distributed.

• Mineral deposits are called ores when they contain minerals in a form that can be profitably mined.

2. Classification of Minerals

A. Metallic Minerals

1. Ferrous (contain iron):

   • Iron ore (Hematite, Magnetite), Manganese, Chromite.

2. Non-ferrous (do not contain iron):

   • Copper, Bauxite (aluminium), Zinc, Lead, Tin, Gold, Silver.

B. Non-Metallic Minerals

• Mica, Limestone, Gypsum, Potash, Salt, Granite, Marble.

C. Power (Energy) Minerals

• Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas, Uranium, Thorium.

3. Mode of Occurrence of Minerals

Minerals are found in four main forms:

1. Veins and Lodes

   • Deposits in cracks/fissures of rocks.

   • Example: Quartz, Gold, Silver.

2. Bedded or Layered Form

   • Deposited through sedimentation.

   • Example: Coal, Limestone, Iron ore.

3. Alluvial Deposits (Placer deposits)

   • Found in sands of valley floors and river beds.

   • Example: Gold, Platinum, Tin.

4. Evaporite Deposits

   • Formed by evaporation in arid climates.

   • Example: Gypsum, Potash, Salt.

4. Major Minerals of India

A. IRON ORE

Types:

• Hematite (high quality),

• Magnetite (highest iron content).

Distribution:

• Odisha (largest: Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj)

• Jharkhand (Singhbhum)

• Chhattisgarh (Bailadila)

• Karnataka (Bellary)

Uses:

• Steel industry, engineering goods, construction.

B. MANGANESE

Distribution:

• Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra.

Uses:

• Steel industry, dry batteries, dyes, fertilizers.

C. BAUXITE

(ore of aluminium)

Distribution:

• Odisha (Koraput), Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra.

Uses:

• Aircraft, utensils, cables, automobiles.

D. COPPER

Distribution:

• Rajasthan (Khetri), Jharkhand (Singhbhum), Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat).

Uses:

• Electric cables, electronics, alloys (bronze, brass).

E. MICA

India is the world’s leading producer.

Distribution:

• Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh.

Uses:

• Electrical goods, paint, cosmetics.

F. LIMESTONE

Distribution:

• Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat.

Uses:

• Cement industry, iron & steel, chemicals.

PART B: ENERGY RESOURCES

Energy resources are essential for industry, agriculture, transport, and households.

They are classified into Conventional and Non-Conventional sources.

1. CONVENTIONAL ENERGY RESOURCES

A. COAL

India’s most abundant fossil fuel.

Types:

• Anthracite (best), Bituminous, Lignite, Peat.

Distribution:

• Jharkhand (Jharia, Bokaro)

• Odisha (Talcher)

• Chhattisgarh (Korba)

• West Bengal (Raniganj)

• MP (Singrauli)

Uses:

• Power generation, steel industry, trains (earlier), cement.

B. PETROLEUM (Crude Oil)

Distribution:

• Assam (Digboi, Naharkatiya)

• Mumbai High

• Gujarat (Ankleshwar)

• KG Basin (offshore Andhra)

Uses:

• Fuel (petrol, diesel, LPG), chemicals, fertilizers, plastics.

C. NATURAL GAS

Environment-friendly fossil fuel.

Distribution:

• Bombay High, Krishna–Godavari Basin, Assam, Gujarat.

Uses:

• Power generation, fertilizers (urea), petrochemicals, domestic use (CNG).

D. ELECTRICITY

Hydel Power

Water flow → turbines → electricity.
Major states: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, J&K.

Thermal Power

Coal / gas → steam → turbines.
Major thermal plants: Singrauli, Korba, Ennore, Mundra.

2. NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY RESOURCES

Environment-friendly & renewable.

A. SOLAR ENERGY

• Solar panels, solar cookers, solar heaters.

• Best areas: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra, Maharashtra.

B. WIND ENERGY

• Wind farms: Tamil Nadu (largest), Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka.

C. BIOMASS ENERGY

• Gobar gas, agricultural waste.

D. TIDAL & WAVE ENERGY

• Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Cambay.

E. GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

• Manikaran (Himachal), Puga Valley (Ladakh).

F. NUCLEAR ENERGY

• Uses Uranium, Thorium.

• Plants: Tarapur, Kalpakkam, Narora, Rawatbhata, Kaiga.

PART C: DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS IN INDIA

Mineral	Major States
Iron ore	Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka
Coal	Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal
Mica	Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh
Bauxite	Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand
Petroleum	Assam, Mumbai High, Gujarat
Natural Gas	KG Basin, Assam, Gujarat
Copper	Rajasthan, Jharkhand, MP

PART D: CONSERVATION OF MINERAL & ENERGY RESOURCES

Why need conservation?

• Minerals are non-renewable and take millions of years to form.

• Uneven distribution leads to regional imbalances.

• Overuse leads to environmental degradation.

Methods:

• Use alternative resources (solar, wind, hydel).

• Recycling metals (aluminium, copper, iron).

• Improved mining techniques.

• Reducing wastage during extraction.

• Promoting energy-efficient devices.

• Public awareness and government policies.

PART E: MCQs

1. Major iron ore producing state — Odisha

2. “Black gold” refers to — Petroleum

3. Largest producer of wind energy — Tamil Nadu

4. Khetri mines are famous for — Copper

5. Coal of highest quality — Anthracite

VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. What is a mineral?

Ans: A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic substance with a definite chemical composition and physical properties.

Q2. Name two ferrous minerals.

Ans: Iron ore, Manganese.

Q3. Which is the finest quality of iron ore?

Ans: Magnetite.

Q4. Which state is the largest producer of bauxite in India?

Ans: Odisha.

Q5. Name one offshore oilfield of India.

Ans: Mumbai High.

Q6. Which is the cleanest fossil fuel?

Ans: Natural gas.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS 

Q7. Distinguish between metallic and non-metallic minerals.

Metallic	Non-Metallic
Contain metals	No metals
Lustrous	Non-lustrous
Eg: Iron, copper	Eg: limestone, mica

Q8. Describe the distribution of iron ore in India.

Ans:

• Odisha: Largest producer (Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj).

• Chhattisgarh: Bailadila mines.

• Jharkhand: Singhbhum region.

• Karnataka: Bellary, Chitradurga.

Q9. What are the four modes of occurrence of minerals?

Ans:

1. Veins and lodes – in cracks/fissures (gold, silver).

2. Bedded/Layered deposits – sedimentary layers (coal, iron).

3. Placer deposits – river sands (gold, tin).

4. Evaporites – evaporation in arid regions (salt, gypsum).

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Q10. Write three importance of energy resources.

Ans:

1. Essential for industries and economic development.

2. Required for transport and communication.

3. Needed for domestic uses like cooking, heating, lighting.

Q11. What is non-conventional energy? Give examples.

Ans:
Energy sources that are renewable and eco-friendly.
Examples: solar, wind, biomass, tidal, geothermal energy.

Q12. Why is conservation of minerals necessary?

Ans:

• Minerals are non-renewable.

• Over-extraction leads to environmental degradation.

• To avoid future scarcity and maintain sustainable development.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q13. Describe the distribution, uses, and types of coal in India.

Types:

• Anthracite (best), Bituminous, Lignite, Peat.

Distribution:

• Jharkhand: Jharia, Bokaro.

• Odisha: Talcher.

• Chhattisgarh: Korba.

• West Bengal: Raniganj.

• Madhya Pradesh: Singrauli.

Uses:

• Thermal power generation.

• Iron and steel industry.

• Cement, chemicals.

Q14. Explain the major non-conventional sources of energy in India.

1. Solar Energy:
Ideal in Rajasthan, Gujarat; used in panels, cookers.

2. Wind Energy:
Tamil Nadu, Gujarat; used in wind farms.

3. Biomass Energy:
Gobar gas plants, agricultural waste.

4. Tidal Energy:
Potential in Gulf of Kutch, Cambay.

5. Geothermal Energy:
Manikaran (HP), Puga Valley (Ladakh).

Advantages: Renewable, pollution-free, sustainable.

Q15. Explain the distribution and uses of petroleum in India.

Distribution:

• Assam: Digboi, Naharkatiya, Moran.

• Mumbai High: Largest offshore field.

• Gujarat: Ankleshwar, Cambay Basin.

• Andhra Pradesh: Krishna-Godavari Basin.

Uses:

• Fuels: petrol, diesel, LPG.

• Petrochemicals, plastics, fertilizers.

• Transport and industrial power.

Q16. What are the environmental impacts of mining? Suggest measures to reduce them.

Impacts:

• Land degradation.

• Deforestation.

• Water pollution from mine waste.

• Air pollution from dust.

• Soil erosion.

Measures:

• Reclamation of mined land.

• Afforestation.

• Improved technology to reduce waste.

• Strict environmental laws.

• Recycling of metals.

Q17. Write an account of the different types of iron ore used in India.

1. Magnetite:

• Best quality, 70% iron.

• Magnetic properties.

2. Hematite:

• Most important industrial ore.

• 50–60% iron.

• Found in Odisha, Jharkhand.

3. Limonite & Siderite:

• Low-grade ores, limited use.

HOTS / APPLICATION-BASED QUESTIONS

Q18. Why is natural gas considered an ideal fuel?

Ans:

• Burns without smoke; least pollution.

• High calorific value.

• Easy to transport via pipelines.

• Used as CNG in vehicles → reduces air pollution.

Q19. Why is wind energy more developed in coastal areas?

Ans:
Because coastal regions have consistent and strong winds due to land–sea temperature differences and open landscapes suitable for wind turbines.

Q20. Why does India need to develop non-conventional sources of energy?

Ans:

• Growing population increases energy demand.

• Fossil fuels are limited and polluting.

• Renewable sources ensure sustainable development.

• Reduces dependence on imports.

MAP-BASED QUESTIONS

Q21. Mark major iron ore producing areas on the map.

Ans:

• Bailadila (Chhattisgarh)

• Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj (Odisha)

• Bellary (Karnataka)

• Singhbhum (Jharkhand)

Q22. Mark important coal fields.

• Jharia

• Raniganj

• Korba

• Bokaro

• Talcher

Q23. Mark petroleum producing areas.

• Mumbai High

• Digboi

• Ankleshwar

• KG Basin