India: Non- Metallic Minerals | Oxford Student ATLAS: Maps & Tests - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


India: Non - Metallic Minerals 
 
 
 
Insights on Non-Metallic Minerals in India 
Introduction 
Non-metallic minerals play a crucial role in various industries, ranging from 
electrical and electronics to construction and ceramics. India, with its abundant 
mineral resources, holds a significant position in the global market. This article 
delves into some of the key non-metallic minerals found in India, highlighting 
their distribution, production, and economic significance. 
 
Page 2


India: Non - Metallic Minerals 
 
 
 
Insights on Non-Metallic Minerals in India 
Introduction 
Non-metallic minerals play a crucial role in various industries, ranging from 
electrical and electronics to construction and ceramics. India, with its abundant 
mineral resources, holds a significant position in the global market. This article 
delves into some of the key non-metallic minerals found in India, highlighting 
their distribution, production, and economic significance. 
 
India: Non - Metallic Minerals 
 
 
1. Mica: A Valuable Mineral with Insulating Properties 
Mica, known for its excellent insulating properties, is highly valued in the 
electrical and electronics industry. It occurs as major mica-bearing ores in several 
states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. 
Among these, Andhra Pradesh leads with a 41% share in the country's mica 
resources, followed by Rajasthan, Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Jharkhand. 
India holds a monopoly in mica production, contributing to approximately 60% of 
the world's total production. Andhra Pradesh emerges as the largest mica-
producing state, followed by Rajasthan and Jharkhand. Remarkably, India is not 
only the largest producer but also the largest exporter of mica worldwide. 
2. Limestone: Versatile Sedimentary Rock 
Limestone, a sedimentary rock predominantly composed of calcium carbonate, 
finds widespread usage in various industries. It occurs in almost all geological 
sequences except in Gondwana. Karnataka takes the lead as the leading 
limestone-producing state with 28% of the total resources, followed by Andhra 
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Meghalaya, and Chhattisgarh. Six states, namely 
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, 
and Karnataka, contribute to over three-fourths of India's total limestone 
production. 
3. Dolomite: Magnesium-Rich Limestone 
Dolomite refers to limestone with a magnesium content exceeding 10%. This 
resource is distributed across states such as Madhya Pradesh (29%), Andhra 
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. 
Notably, Chhattisgarh stands out as the largest dolomite-producing state in India, 
accounting for more than 30% of the total production. Dolomite finds significant 
economic uses in the metallurgical industry as refractories and flux in blast 
furnaces. 
4. Asbestos: Valued for its Fibrous Structure 
Asbestos holds immense commercial value due to its fibrous structure, ability to 
be fragmented into filaments, and high tensile strength. Rajasthan and Andhra 
Page 3


India: Non - Metallic Minerals 
 
 
 
Insights on Non-Metallic Minerals in India 
Introduction 
Non-metallic minerals play a crucial role in various industries, ranging from 
electrical and electronics to construction and ceramics. India, with its abundant 
mineral resources, holds a significant position in the global market. This article 
delves into some of the key non-metallic minerals found in India, highlighting 
their distribution, production, and economic significance. 
 
India: Non - Metallic Minerals 
 
 
1. Mica: A Valuable Mineral with Insulating Properties 
Mica, known for its excellent insulating properties, is highly valued in the 
electrical and electronics industry. It occurs as major mica-bearing ores in several 
states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. 
Among these, Andhra Pradesh leads with a 41% share in the country's mica 
resources, followed by Rajasthan, Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Jharkhand. 
India holds a monopoly in mica production, contributing to approximately 60% of 
the world's total production. Andhra Pradesh emerges as the largest mica-
producing state, followed by Rajasthan and Jharkhand. Remarkably, India is not 
only the largest producer but also the largest exporter of mica worldwide. 
2. Limestone: Versatile Sedimentary Rock 
Limestone, a sedimentary rock predominantly composed of calcium carbonate, 
finds widespread usage in various industries. It occurs in almost all geological 
sequences except in Gondwana. Karnataka takes the lead as the leading 
limestone-producing state with 28% of the total resources, followed by Andhra 
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Meghalaya, and Chhattisgarh. Six states, namely 
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, 
and Karnataka, contribute to over three-fourths of India's total limestone 
production. 
3. Dolomite: Magnesium-Rich Limestone 
Dolomite refers to limestone with a magnesium content exceeding 10%. This 
resource is distributed across states such as Madhya Pradesh (29%), Andhra 
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. 
Notably, Chhattisgarh stands out as the largest dolomite-producing state in India, 
accounting for more than 30% of the total production. Dolomite finds significant 
economic uses in the metallurgical industry as refractories and flux in blast 
furnaces. 
4. Asbestos: Valued for its Fibrous Structure 
Asbestos holds immense commercial value due to its fibrous structure, ability to 
be fragmented into filaments, and high tensile strength. Rajasthan and Andhra 
India: Non - Metallic Minerals 
 
 
Pradesh are the primary asbestos-producing states in India, contributing to the 
majority of the country's asbestos production. Additionally, minor production 
takes place in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, 
Uttarakhand, and Nagaland. 
5. Kyanite: Versatile Industrial Mineral 
Kyanite occurs in metamorphic aluminous rocks and serves various industries, 
including metallurgical, ceramic, refractory, electrical, glass, and cement. India 
boasts the largest deposit of kyanite globally, with Andhra Pradesh alone 
accounting for more than 78% of the resources. Karnataka (13%) and Jharkhand 
(6%) also possess substantial reserves. Other states like Kerala, Maharashtra, 
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal collectively hold 3% of the resources. 
Among the kyanite-producing states, Jharkhand leads in production, followed by 
Maharashtra. 
6. Gypsum: A Versatile Mineral 
Gypsum, a hydrated sulfate of calcium, finds applications in various industries 
such as fertilizers, cement, ceramics, and plaster of Paris. Rajasthan holds a 
dominant position with 81% of the country's gypsum resources, followed by 
Jammu & Kashmir (14%). The remaining 5% of resources are distributed across 
Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, 
and Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan emerges as the largest producer of gypsum in 
India, with Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir following suit. 
7. Diamonds: The Gemstone of Brilliance 
Diamonds, renowned for their ornamental value and surface polishing 
applications, hold a significant place in the mining and gem-cutting industry. The 
major diamond-bearing areas in India include the Panna belt in Madhya Pradesh, 
Anantpur district in Andhra Pradesh, and the recently discovered Raichur-
Gulbarga belt in Karnataka. 
 
 
Page 4


India: Non - Metallic Minerals 
 
 
 
Insights on Non-Metallic Minerals in India 
Introduction 
Non-metallic minerals play a crucial role in various industries, ranging from 
electrical and electronics to construction and ceramics. India, with its abundant 
mineral resources, holds a significant position in the global market. This article 
delves into some of the key non-metallic minerals found in India, highlighting 
their distribution, production, and economic significance. 
 
India: Non - Metallic Minerals 
 
 
1. Mica: A Valuable Mineral with Insulating Properties 
Mica, known for its excellent insulating properties, is highly valued in the 
electrical and electronics industry. It occurs as major mica-bearing ores in several 
states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. 
Among these, Andhra Pradesh leads with a 41% share in the country's mica 
resources, followed by Rajasthan, Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Jharkhand. 
India holds a monopoly in mica production, contributing to approximately 60% of 
the world's total production. Andhra Pradesh emerges as the largest mica-
producing state, followed by Rajasthan and Jharkhand. Remarkably, India is not 
only the largest producer but also the largest exporter of mica worldwide. 
2. Limestone: Versatile Sedimentary Rock 
Limestone, a sedimentary rock predominantly composed of calcium carbonate, 
finds widespread usage in various industries. It occurs in almost all geological 
sequences except in Gondwana. Karnataka takes the lead as the leading 
limestone-producing state with 28% of the total resources, followed by Andhra 
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Meghalaya, and Chhattisgarh. Six states, namely 
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, 
and Karnataka, contribute to over three-fourths of India's total limestone 
production. 
3. Dolomite: Magnesium-Rich Limestone 
Dolomite refers to limestone with a magnesium content exceeding 10%. This 
resource is distributed across states such as Madhya Pradesh (29%), Andhra 
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. 
Notably, Chhattisgarh stands out as the largest dolomite-producing state in India, 
accounting for more than 30% of the total production. Dolomite finds significant 
economic uses in the metallurgical industry as refractories and flux in blast 
furnaces. 
4. Asbestos: Valued for its Fibrous Structure 
Asbestos holds immense commercial value due to its fibrous structure, ability to 
be fragmented into filaments, and high tensile strength. Rajasthan and Andhra 
India: Non - Metallic Minerals 
 
 
Pradesh are the primary asbestos-producing states in India, contributing to the 
majority of the country's asbestos production. Additionally, minor production 
takes place in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, 
Uttarakhand, and Nagaland. 
5. Kyanite: Versatile Industrial Mineral 
Kyanite occurs in metamorphic aluminous rocks and serves various industries, 
including metallurgical, ceramic, refractory, electrical, glass, and cement. India 
boasts the largest deposit of kyanite globally, with Andhra Pradesh alone 
accounting for more than 78% of the resources. Karnataka (13%) and Jharkhand 
(6%) also possess substantial reserves. Other states like Kerala, Maharashtra, 
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal collectively hold 3% of the resources. 
Among the kyanite-producing states, Jharkhand leads in production, followed by 
Maharashtra. 
6. Gypsum: A Versatile Mineral 
Gypsum, a hydrated sulfate of calcium, finds applications in various industries 
such as fertilizers, cement, ceramics, and plaster of Paris. Rajasthan holds a 
dominant position with 81% of the country's gypsum resources, followed by 
Jammu & Kashmir (14%). The remaining 5% of resources are distributed across 
Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, 
and Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan emerges as the largest producer of gypsum in 
India, with Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir following suit. 
7. Diamonds: The Gemstone of Brilliance 
Diamonds, renowned for their ornamental value and surface polishing 
applications, hold a significant place in the mining and gem-cutting industry. The 
major diamond-bearing areas in India include the Panna belt in Madhya Pradesh, 
Anantpur district in Andhra Pradesh, and the recently discovered Raichur-
Gulbarga belt in Karnataka. 
 
 
India: Non - Metallic Minerals 
 
 
8. Atomic Minerals: Essential for the Nuclear Industry 
India possesses significant deposits of uranium and thorium, essential for the 
nuclear industry. The Atomic Mineral Directorate (AMD), operating under the 
Department of Atomic Energy, is responsible for geological exploration of these 
deposits. Uranium deposits are found in states such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, 
Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Meghalaya. Notably, recent studies have 
discovered exceptionally high uranium concentrations in magnetic rocks from the 
Nubra-Shyok valley in Ladakh. Monazite sands, containing uranium deposits, are 
found on the east and west coasts and in certain areas of Bihar. Thorium 
production in India is mainly concentrated in states like Kerala, Jharkhand, Bihar, 
Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan. 
9. Salt: A Precious Resource 
Salt, obtained from sources like seawater, brine springs, wells, salt pans, and 
rocks, serves various purposes. In Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district and Gujarat, 
rock salt extraction takes place, while Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu rely 
on sea brine for salt production. Gujarat's coast accounts for nearly half of India's 
salt production. 
Conclusion 
India's abundant non-metallic mineral resources contribute significantly to various 
industries, driving economic growth. With its monopoly in mica production and 
substantial reserves of limestone, dolomite, asbestos, kyanite, gypsum, diamonds, 
atomic minerals, and salt, India remains a prominent player in the global market. 
Efficient utilization of these resources and sustainable mining practices are crucial 
for India's continued growth and development in the non-metallic mineral sector.