What are Minerals?
Nature provides us with many resources, some on the Earth's surface and others buried deep underground. Underground resources, known as minerals, need to be extracted and refined for various uses.
Various Minerals
Minerals are naturally occurring substances found in the Earth's crust that have specific chemical compositions and physical properties.
Types of Minerals
- Metallic Minerals: These include iron, aluminium, gold, and copper. They are used to make tools, utensils, electrical wires, and even jewellery.
Metallic Minerals
- Non-Metallic Minerals: These include limestone, precious stones, salt, coal, and petroleum. Coal and petroleum are important as they are used as fuel (like for cooking or running vehicles).
Non-Metallic Minerals
Question for Chapter Notes: Mineral Resources
Try yourself:
Which type of minerals are used to make tools, utensils, electrical wires, and jewellery?Explanation
- Metallic minerals such as iron, aluminium, gold, and copper are used to make tools, utensils, electrical wires, and even jewellery.
- These minerals have specific chemical compositions and physical properties that make them suitable for these purposes.
- Iron is commonly used in construction and manufacturing, while aluminium is used in various industries due to its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties.
- Gold and copper are highly valued for their conductivity and are used in electrical and electronic devices.
- Therefore, metallic minerals play a crucial role in the production of various essential items.
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Mining & Refining
Mining: Mining is the process of extracting minerals from the Earth's crust. It involves locating mineral deposits, excavating them from the ground, and transporting them to processing facilities. Mining methods vary depending on the type of mineral and its location. Common mining techniques include surface mining (open-pit mining, quarrying) and underground mining (shaft mining, drift mining).
Mining
Refining: Refining is the process of purifying and processing raw minerals or ores to obtain usable products. For metallic minerals like iron, copper, and gold, refining involves smelting, where the ore is heated to high temperatures to extract the metal. Non-metallic minerals like salt, coal, and petroleum undergo refining processes such as purification, distillation, and chemical treatments to remove impurities and obtain usable forms.
- Iron: Iron is a vital metal used to make things like buildings, bridges, vehicles, and tools. It's strong and can be shaped into different forms, making it essential for construction and manufacturing.
Iron
- Copper: Copper is another important metal used in wiring, plumbing, electronics, and machinery. It conducts electricity well, making it valuable for various technological and industrial applications.
Copper
- Aluminium: Aluminium is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for making airplanes, cars, cans, and household items. It's also used in construction for windows, doors, and building materials.
Aluminium
- Coal: Coal is a fossil fuel used for generating electricity, heating homes, and powering industries. It's obtained from underground mines and is a crucial energy resource globally.
Coal
- Petroleum: Petroleum, also known as crude oil, is another fossil fuel used for making gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and plastics. It's extracted from beneath the Earth's surface and is essential for transportation, energy production, and manufacturing.
Petrol
These metals and minerals play essential roles in modern life, from infrastructure and technology to energy production and everyday products.
Question for Chapter Notes: Mineral Resources
Try yourself:
Which mining method involves excavating mineral deposits from the ground?Explanation
- Quarrying is a mining method that involves excavating mineral deposits from the ground.
- It is commonly used to extract building materials such as limestone, marble, and granite.
- Quarrying involves removing the top layer of soil and rock to access the mineral deposits.
- Large machinery, such as bulldozers and excavators, are used to extract the minerals.
- The extracted materials are then transported to processing facilities for refining and further use.
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Steel Plants and Major Mining Areas
- Iron Ore Mining Areas: India has large quantities of iron ore, especially in states like Odisha, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. Iron ore is a raw material used to make steel.
- Steel Plants in India: Steel plants are set up in strategic locations close to iron ore mining areas. Some prominent steel plants in India are located in Jamshedpur (Tatanagar), Bhilai, Rourkela, and Durgapur.
These steel plants use iron ore as a primary raw material to produce steel through a process called smelting and refining.
Steel Production Process
- Iron ore is first extracted from mines and transported to steel plants.
- At the steel plants, iron ore is smelted in blast furnaces to extract molten iron.
- The molten iron is then refined and processed to remove impurities and alloyed with other metals to produce different types of steel with varying properties.
Molten iron
Question for Chapter Notes: Mineral Resources
Try yourself:
Which states in India have large quantities of iron ore?Explanation
- Iron ore is found in large quantities in states like Odisha, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh in India.
- These states have significant iron ore mining areas where the raw material is extracted for steel production.
- The proximity of steel plants to these mining areas ensures a steady supply of iron ore for the steel industry.
- Other states mentioned in the options may have some iron ore deposits, but they are not known for large quantities like Odisha, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.
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Other Minerals in India
- Manganese: Manganese is found in India and is used in steelmaking to improve the strength and hardness of steel alloys.
- Mica: India is a major producer of mica, which is used in electrical insulation, electronic devices, paints, and cosmetics.
- Gold: Gold mining occurs in places like Kolar, Karnataka, where gold deposits are extracted and processed for various purposes, including jewelry making and investment.
Coal and Petroleum Usage
- Coal Usage: Coal is a primary source of energy in India and is used in various sectors, including steel plants, thermal power stations for electricity generation, and as a domestic fuel for cooking and heating.
Coal & petrol Usage
- Petroleum Usage: Petroleum is a fossil fuel refined to produce various products like kerosene oil (for lamps and stoves), petrol (for vehicles), diesel oil (for vehicles and generators), grease (for lubrication), and paraffin wax (for candles and cosmetics).
Mineral Conservation
Mineral conservation refers to the responsible and sustainable use of mineral resources to ensure their availability for future generations. It involves strategies such as efficient utilization, recycling, reducing wastage, and adopting environmentally friendly mining practices.
Question for Chapter Notes: Mineral Resources
Try yourself:
What is the primary use of manganese in India?Explanation
- Manganese is found in India and is primarily used in steelmaking.
- It helps improve the strength and hardness of steel alloys.
- This makes the steel more durable and suitable for various applications.
- Manganese plays a crucial role in the steel industry, contributing to the production of high-quality steel products.
- It is not used for electrical insulation, fuel for cooking and heating, or producing kerosene oil for lamps and stoves.
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Importance of Using Minerals Carefully
- Mineral reserves on Earth are limited and can't last forever once used up.
- We need to use minerals carefully and wisely to ensure they last longer for future generations.
Alternative Energy Sources
Wind & Solar energy
- Wind power and solar energy are renewable alternatives to fossil fuels, but they are currently expensive to convert into electricity.
- Scientists are working to make these alternatives more affordable by improving technology and reducing costs.
Key Points
Definition of Minerals: Minerals are naturally occurring substances found in the Earth's crust with specific chemical compositions and physical properties.
Types of Minerals: Minerals are categorized into metallic (e.g., iron, copper, gold) and non-metallic (e.g., coal, petroleum, salt).
Mining: Mining is the process of extracting minerals from the Earth, using various methods depending on the type and location of the mineral.
Refining: Refining involves purifying raw minerals or ores to obtain usable products, such as smelting for metals or distillation for petroleum.
Importance of Metals: Key metals like iron, copper, and aluminium are crucial for construction, technology, and manufacturing.
Energy Resources: Coal and petroleum are vital energy resources used for electricity generation, transportation, and industry.
Mineral Conservation: It's important to use minerals responsibly to ensure their availability for future generations, involving strategies like recycling and reducing waste.
Renewable Alternatives: Wind and solar energy are renewable alternatives to fossil fuels, and ongoing research aims to make them more cost-effective and widely usable.