World- Minerals and Mineral Fuels | Oxford Student ATLAS: Maps & Tests - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


World- Minerals and Mineral Fuels 
 
 
  
World Resources & Their Distribution 
Introduction 
Natural resources play a vital role in human life, providing essential materials such 
as timber, minerals, and fossil fuels that are crucial for our existence and have 
economic value. These resources are distributed across the globe, but their 
availability varies from region to region. In this article, we will explore the 
distribution of various world resources, including mineral resources and energy 
resources, shedding light on the key countries and regions responsible for their 
production. 
I. Mineral Resources and their Distribution 
A. Iron Ore: Iron ore is produced in numerous countries worldwide. China, 
Brazil, Australia, India, Russia, Ukraine, USA, South Africa, Canada, and 
Sweden are among the major producers. China stands as the largest 
producer, followed by Brazil and Australia. Iron ore-producing regions 
include Manchuria and Sinkiang in China, Ruhr and South Wales in Europe, 
Transvaal in Africa, Great Lakes in North America, Carajas in South 
America, and Pilbara in Australia. 
Page 2


World- Minerals and Mineral Fuels 
 
 
  
World Resources & Their Distribution 
Introduction 
Natural resources play a vital role in human life, providing essential materials such 
as timber, minerals, and fossil fuels that are crucial for our existence and have 
economic value. These resources are distributed across the globe, but their 
availability varies from region to region. In this article, we will explore the 
distribution of various world resources, including mineral resources and energy 
resources, shedding light on the key countries and regions responsible for their 
production. 
I. Mineral Resources and their Distribution 
A. Iron Ore: Iron ore is produced in numerous countries worldwide. China, 
Brazil, Australia, India, Russia, Ukraine, USA, South Africa, Canada, and 
Sweden are among the major producers. China stands as the largest 
producer, followed by Brazil and Australia. Iron ore-producing regions 
include Manchuria and Sinkiang in China, Ruhr and South Wales in Europe, 
Transvaal in Africa, Great Lakes in North America, Carajas in South 
America, and Pilbara in Australia. 
World- Minerals and Mineral Fuels 
 
 
B. Manganese: South Africa, Australia, China, Gabon, Kazakhstan, Brazil, 
India, Ghana, Ukraine, Georgia, and Mexico are the main producers of 
manganese. Key manganese-producing areas include Kiangsi and Hunan in 
China, Cape Province in South Africa, Moanda in Gabon, Amapa region in 
Brazil, Leonara and Victoria in Australia, and Odisha and Maharashtra in 
India. 
C. Copper: Copper reserves are distributed worldwide, with Chile holding the 
largest share, followed by Australia, Peru, Mexico, USA, China, and Russia. 
Major copper-producing regions include Mt. Chuquicamata and El 
Teniente in Chile, Cerro de Pasco in Peru, Arizona and Utah in the USA, and 
Ontario in Canada. 
D. Aluminium (Bauxite Ore): Bauxite reserves, estimated at 28 billion tonnes, 
are mainly found in Guinea, Australia, Brazil, Vietnam, Jamaica, Indonesia, 
Guyana, China, and Greece. Prominent bauxite-producing areas include 
Cape York Peninsula in Australia, Hunan and Guichou in China, and Amapa 
region in Brazil. 
E. Gold: South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Ghana, Chile, China, USA, 
and Russia are countries with significant gold deposits. Gold-producing 
regions encompass Johannesburg in South Africa, Mount Morgan and 
Kalgoorlie in Australia, Salt Lake region in the USA, and several gold mines 
in Russia. 
F. Silver: Mexico leads the world in silver production. Other major silver-
producing countries include Peru, China, Russia, Chile, Canada, USA, 
Australia, Bolivia, and South Africa. Notable silver-producing regions 
include Chihuahua in Mexico, Ontaria in Canada, and Mt No in Australia. 
G. Tin: China and Malaysia account for about 75% of the total tin output. Tin-
producing areas include Selangor and Penang Island in Malaysia, northern 
coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, Yunnan and Hunan in China, and San 
Antonio de Palo in Peru. 
H. Lead (Galena): Major lead-producing countries are China, Australia, Peru, 
United States, and Russia. Lead deposits can be found in Broken Hill and 
Page 3


World- Minerals and Mineral Fuels 
 
 
  
World Resources & Their Distribution 
Introduction 
Natural resources play a vital role in human life, providing essential materials such 
as timber, minerals, and fossil fuels that are crucial for our existence and have 
economic value. These resources are distributed across the globe, but their 
availability varies from region to region. In this article, we will explore the 
distribution of various world resources, including mineral resources and energy 
resources, shedding light on the key countries and regions responsible for their 
production. 
I. Mineral Resources and their Distribution 
A. Iron Ore: Iron ore is produced in numerous countries worldwide. China, 
Brazil, Australia, India, Russia, Ukraine, USA, South Africa, Canada, and 
Sweden are among the major producers. China stands as the largest 
producer, followed by Brazil and Australia. Iron ore-producing regions 
include Manchuria and Sinkiang in China, Ruhr and South Wales in Europe, 
Transvaal in Africa, Great Lakes in North America, Carajas in South 
America, and Pilbara in Australia. 
World- Minerals and Mineral Fuels 
 
 
B. Manganese: South Africa, Australia, China, Gabon, Kazakhstan, Brazil, 
India, Ghana, Ukraine, Georgia, and Mexico are the main producers of 
manganese. Key manganese-producing areas include Kiangsi and Hunan in 
China, Cape Province in South Africa, Moanda in Gabon, Amapa region in 
Brazil, Leonara and Victoria in Australia, and Odisha and Maharashtra in 
India. 
C. Copper: Copper reserves are distributed worldwide, with Chile holding the 
largest share, followed by Australia, Peru, Mexico, USA, China, and Russia. 
Major copper-producing regions include Mt. Chuquicamata and El 
Teniente in Chile, Cerro de Pasco in Peru, Arizona and Utah in the USA, and 
Ontario in Canada. 
D. Aluminium (Bauxite Ore): Bauxite reserves, estimated at 28 billion tonnes, 
are mainly found in Guinea, Australia, Brazil, Vietnam, Jamaica, Indonesia, 
Guyana, China, and Greece. Prominent bauxite-producing areas include 
Cape York Peninsula in Australia, Hunan and Guichou in China, and Amapa 
region in Brazil. 
E. Gold: South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Ghana, Chile, China, USA, 
and Russia are countries with significant gold deposits. Gold-producing 
regions encompass Johannesburg in South Africa, Mount Morgan and 
Kalgoorlie in Australia, Salt Lake region in the USA, and several gold mines 
in Russia. 
F. Silver: Mexico leads the world in silver production. Other major silver-
producing countries include Peru, China, Russia, Chile, Canada, USA, 
Australia, Bolivia, and South Africa. Notable silver-producing regions 
include Chihuahua in Mexico, Ontaria in Canada, and Mt No in Australia. 
G. Tin: China and Malaysia account for about 75% of the total tin output. Tin-
producing areas include Selangor and Penang Island in Malaysia, northern 
coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, Yunnan and Hunan in China, and San 
Antonio de Palo in Peru. 
H. Lead (Galena): Major lead-producing countries are China, Australia, Peru, 
United States, and Russia. Lead deposits can be found in Broken Hill and 
World- Minerals and Mineral Fuels 
 
 
Mt. Isa in Australia, Sudbury in Canada, Cerro-de-Pasco in Peru, and other 
regions. 
I. Zinc: Zinc production is closely linked to lead production. China, Peru, 
Australia, USA, Canada, India, Kazakhstan, Ireland, and Mexico are the 
main zinc producers. Key zinc-producing areas include Yunan Province in 
China, Cerro de Pasco in Peru, and Broken Hill in Australia. 
J. Diamond: Russia, Botswana, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the 
Democratic Republic of Congo are leading producers of diamonds. Major 
diamond-producing regions include Yakutia in Russia, Orapa in Botswana, 
Northwest Territories in Canada, Kimberly in South Africa, and Eastern 
Democratic Republic of Congo. 
II. Energy Resources and their Distribution 
A. Crude Oil: Crude oil reserves are spread across various regions globally. The 
largest oil-producing countries include the United States, Saudi Arabia, 
Russia, Canada, Iraq, Iran, China, Brazil, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates. 
Key oil-producing areas include the Permian Basin in the United States, 
Ghawar Field in Saudi Arabia, Samotlor Field in Russia, Athabasca Oil Sands 
in Canada, and the Lula Field in Brazil. 
B. Natural Gas: Natural gas reserves are found in numerous countries 
worldwide. The leading natural gas producers are the United States, Russia, 
Iran, Qatar, Canada, China, Norway, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the United 
Arab Emirates. Notable natural gas-producing regions include the Permian 
Basin and Appalachian Basin in the United States, Yamal Peninsula in 
Russia, South Pars/North Dome Field in Qatar, and Groningen Field in the 
Netherlands. 
C. Coal: Coal reserves are distributed across several countries. The largest coal 
producers include China, India, the United States, Australia, Indonesia, 
Russia, South Africa, Germany, Poland, and Kazakhstan. Key coal-producing 
regions include Shanxi and Inner Mongolia in China, Jharkhand and Odisha 
in India, Wyoming and West Virginia in the United States, Queensland and 
New South Wales in Australia, and Kuzbass region in Russia. 
Page 4


World- Minerals and Mineral Fuels 
 
 
  
World Resources & Their Distribution 
Introduction 
Natural resources play a vital role in human life, providing essential materials such 
as timber, minerals, and fossil fuels that are crucial for our existence and have 
economic value. These resources are distributed across the globe, but their 
availability varies from region to region. In this article, we will explore the 
distribution of various world resources, including mineral resources and energy 
resources, shedding light on the key countries and regions responsible for their 
production. 
I. Mineral Resources and their Distribution 
A. Iron Ore: Iron ore is produced in numerous countries worldwide. China, 
Brazil, Australia, India, Russia, Ukraine, USA, South Africa, Canada, and 
Sweden are among the major producers. China stands as the largest 
producer, followed by Brazil and Australia. Iron ore-producing regions 
include Manchuria and Sinkiang in China, Ruhr and South Wales in Europe, 
Transvaal in Africa, Great Lakes in North America, Carajas in South 
America, and Pilbara in Australia. 
World- Minerals and Mineral Fuels 
 
 
B. Manganese: South Africa, Australia, China, Gabon, Kazakhstan, Brazil, 
India, Ghana, Ukraine, Georgia, and Mexico are the main producers of 
manganese. Key manganese-producing areas include Kiangsi and Hunan in 
China, Cape Province in South Africa, Moanda in Gabon, Amapa region in 
Brazil, Leonara and Victoria in Australia, and Odisha and Maharashtra in 
India. 
C. Copper: Copper reserves are distributed worldwide, with Chile holding the 
largest share, followed by Australia, Peru, Mexico, USA, China, and Russia. 
Major copper-producing regions include Mt. Chuquicamata and El 
Teniente in Chile, Cerro de Pasco in Peru, Arizona and Utah in the USA, and 
Ontario in Canada. 
D. Aluminium (Bauxite Ore): Bauxite reserves, estimated at 28 billion tonnes, 
are mainly found in Guinea, Australia, Brazil, Vietnam, Jamaica, Indonesia, 
Guyana, China, and Greece. Prominent bauxite-producing areas include 
Cape York Peninsula in Australia, Hunan and Guichou in China, and Amapa 
region in Brazil. 
E. Gold: South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Ghana, Chile, China, USA, 
and Russia are countries with significant gold deposits. Gold-producing 
regions encompass Johannesburg in South Africa, Mount Morgan and 
Kalgoorlie in Australia, Salt Lake region in the USA, and several gold mines 
in Russia. 
F. Silver: Mexico leads the world in silver production. Other major silver-
producing countries include Peru, China, Russia, Chile, Canada, USA, 
Australia, Bolivia, and South Africa. Notable silver-producing regions 
include Chihuahua in Mexico, Ontaria in Canada, and Mt No in Australia. 
G. Tin: China and Malaysia account for about 75% of the total tin output. Tin-
producing areas include Selangor and Penang Island in Malaysia, northern 
coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, Yunnan and Hunan in China, and San 
Antonio de Palo in Peru. 
H. Lead (Galena): Major lead-producing countries are China, Australia, Peru, 
United States, and Russia. Lead deposits can be found in Broken Hill and 
World- Minerals and Mineral Fuels 
 
 
Mt. Isa in Australia, Sudbury in Canada, Cerro-de-Pasco in Peru, and other 
regions. 
I. Zinc: Zinc production is closely linked to lead production. China, Peru, 
Australia, USA, Canada, India, Kazakhstan, Ireland, and Mexico are the 
main zinc producers. Key zinc-producing areas include Yunan Province in 
China, Cerro de Pasco in Peru, and Broken Hill in Australia. 
J. Diamond: Russia, Botswana, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the 
Democratic Republic of Congo are leading producers of diamonds. Major 
diamond-producing regions include Yakutia in Russia, Orapa in Botswana, 
Northwest Territories in Canada, Kimberly in South Africa, and Eastern 
Democratic Republic of Congo. 
II. Energy Resources and their Distribution 
A. Crude Oil: Crude oil reserves are spread across various regions globally. The 
largest oil-producing countries include the United States, Saudi Arabia, 
Russia, Canada, Iraq, Iran, China, Brazil, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates. 
Key oil-producing areas include the Permian Basin in the United States, 
Ghawar Field in Saudi Arabia, Samotlor Field in Russia, Athabasca Oil Sands 
in Canada, and the Lula Field in Brazil. 
B. Natural Gas: Natural gas reserves are found in numerous countries 
worldwide. The leading natural gas producers are the United States, Russia, 
Iran, Qatar, Canada, China, Norway, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the United 
Arab Emirates. Notable natural gas-producing regions include the Permian 
Basin and Appalachian Basin in the United States, Yamal Peninsula in 
Russia, South Pars/North Dome Field in Qatar, and Groningen Field in the 
Netherlands. 
C. Coal: Coal reserves are distributed across several countries. The largest coal 
producers include China, India, the United States, Australia, Indonesia, 
Russia, South Africa, Germany, Poland, and Kazakhstan. Key coal-producing 
regions include Shanxi and Inner Mongolia in China, Jharkhand and Odisha 
in India, Wyoming and West Virginia in the United States, Queensland and 
New South Wales in Australia, and Kuzbass region in Russia. 
World- Minerals and Mineral Fuels 
 
 
D. Nuclear Power: Nuclear power plants are located in multiple countries 
worldwide. The leading countries in nuclear energy production are the 
United States, France, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Germany, India, 
Canada, and the United Kingdom. Significant nuclear power-producing 
regions include the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in the United 
States, Gravelines Nuclear Power Plant in France, Ling Ao Nuclear Power 
Plant in China, and Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Japan. 
E. Renewable Energy: Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly 
important globally. Solar and wind power have significant installations in 
various countries. Leading countries in solar power installations are China, 
the United States, Japan, Germany, India, Italy, Australia, France, South 
Korea, and Spain. Key countries for wind power installations include China, 
the United States, Germany, India, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, 
Brazil, Canada, and Italy. 
Conclusion 
The distribution of world resources is influenced by geological factors, historical 
developments, and technological advancements. Understanding the distribution 
of resources is crucial for economic planning, resource management, and global 
trade. While this article provides a comprehensive overview, it is important to 
note that resource availability can change over time due to exploration, 
extraction, and environmental factors.