Key Concepts: Minerals & Energy Resources

Minerals

Mineral , a naturally occurring, homogeneous substance formed by geological processes. Minerals are usually inorganic, have a definite chemical composition and a crystal structure. A mineral may be an element or a compound and is commonly found in solid form (but may occur in liquid or gaseous states under some conditions).

Types of Minerals 

Metallic and non-metallic.

Metallic Minerals : further sub-divided into ferrous and non-ferrous-
(i) Ferrous (containing iron) are iron ore, manganese ore, chromite, pyrite, nickel and cobalt.
(ii) Non-ferrous (containing metals other than iron) - gold, silver, copper, lead, bauxite, tin and magnesium.
Non-metallic Minerals : They are limestone, nitrate, potash, mica, gypsum, coal, petroleum.

Distribution of Minerals

1. Iron ore

   Iron is a basic industrial mineral and is the backbone of many industries.
   (a) Varieties: limonite (contains about 40%-60% iron), haematite (about 60%-70% iron) - most important industrial ore, magnetite (about 70% iron) - finest quality with magnetic properties, siderite (about 40%-50% iron).
   (b) Distribution: Magnetite and haematite are mainly found in the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Odisha, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

   Well-known iron ore mines: Durg and Bastar districts (Chhattisgarh), West and East Singhbhum districts (Jharkhand), Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts (Odisha), North Goa, Chikmagalur and Bellary districts (Karnataka), Ratnagiri (Maharashtra).

2. Manganese ore
   (a) Use: Manganese is essential in the manufacture of iron and steel and the preparation of ferro-alloys. It is also used in bleaching powder, insecticides, paints and batteries.
   (b) Reserves and distribution: Major reserves occur in Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Goa. Approximately 97% of India's manganese ore is mined in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
3. Copper
   (a) Use: Copper is used for making utensils, electric wires, electrical equipment and various alloys.
   (b) Distribution: About 90% of the copper reserves are concentrated in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
4. Bauxite
   (a) Use: Bauxite is the principal ore of aluminium; aluminium is used in aircraft manufacturing, utensils and many household and industrial applications.
   (b) Distribution: Bauxite deposits occur in Jharkhand, Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Odisha is the largest producer (about 45% of national production). Important deposits include Panchpatmali in Koraput (Odisha) and the Amarkantak-Maikal hill region and Bilaspur-Katni plateau.
5. Mica
   (a) Use: Mica is used in the electrical and electronic industries for its insulating properties and heat resistance.
   (b) Distribution: Major mica belts are found in Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.
6. Limestone
   (a) Composition: Mainly calcium carbonate; may also contain magnesium carbonates.
   (b) Use: Used extensively in the cement industry, in smelting iron and in chemical industries.
   (c) Distribution: Important deposits occur in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh.

Conservation of Minerals

Minerals are non-renewable resources and must be conserved for long-term use. Conservation involves careful planning, efficient use and reduction of waste.

• Reduce wastage during mining and mineral processing by using efficient technologies and better extraction methods.
• Promote recycling and reuse of mineral products to extend the life of mineral reserves.
• Use substitutes and alternative materials where possible to save scarce minerals.
• Plan and regulate mining to avoid excessive and uncontrolled extraction; carry out environmental rehabilitation of mined areas.
• Develop and maintain accurate inventories (mineral maps and surveys) to guide sustainable exploitation.

Energy Resources

Sources of energy include coal, petroleum, natural gas, solar energy, wind energy and hydropower. Energy sources are commonly classified as:

• Conventional energy - coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity from thermal, hydro and nuclear plants.
• Non-conventional (renewable) energy - solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, atomic (nuclear) and biogas.
• Commercial sources - coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydroelectricity and nuclear energy (sold or supplied through markets and networks).
• Non-commercial sources - fuelwood, charcoal, cow-dung cakes and agricultural wastes used directly in households.

Non-commercial sources of energy - fuelwood, charcoal, cow dung and agricultural wastes are widely used in rural and traditional economies for cooking and heating.

1. Coal
   (a) Use: Coal is a primary fuel for power generation, providing a major share of electricity production. It is used in the manufacture of iron and steel and as a raw material in various chemical industries.
   (b) Types of coal: anthracite, bituminous, lignite and peat.
2. Petroleum
   (a) Significance: Petroleum is the second most important commercial energy source and a raw material for many industries (petrochemicals, fertilisers, plastics).
   (b) Distribution: About 63% of crude petroleum production comes from Mumbai High, 18% from Gujarat and 16% from Assam. Small quantities are also produced in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.
   (c) Important offshore oilfields: Mumbai High, Bassein and Alibag.
   (d) Important oilfields in Gujarat: Ankleshwar, Lunej, Kalol.
   (e) Oil refineries: Trombay, Koyali, Lunej and Kalol.
   (f) Important oilfields in Assam: Digboi, Naharkatiya, Moran and other fields; crude from these fields is refined at Digboi, Guwahati and Bongaigaon (Assam) and at Barauni (Bihar).
3. Natural gas
   (a) Use: Natural gas is a relatively clean fuel and an essential raw material for the petrochemical industry.
   (b) Distribution: Gas reserves and production are located in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Assam and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and the Krishna-Godavari Basin. Over three-quarters of production comes from fields associated with Mumbai High; the remainder is from Gujarat, Assam and smaller fields in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Rajasthan.
4. Electricity
   (a) Installed capacity: (as given) 137,500 MW; per capita electricity consumption (as given) 379 kWh.
   (b) Thermal electricity: Generated from coal, petroleum and natural gas.
   (c) Distribution of thermal plants: Assam, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are major thermal electricity producing states. Other significant producers include Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Odisha and Delhi.
   (d) Hydroelectricity: Produced by utilising water released from a high head; important hydel power producing states include Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha and Punjab.
   (e) Nuclear electricity: Generated from uranium and thorium. There are several nuclear power stations in the country; important ones are located at Tarapur (Maharashtra), Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu), Rawatbhata (Rajasthan), Narora (Uttar Pradesh), Kakrapar (Gujarat) and Kaiga (Karnataka).

Non-conventional (renewable) sources of energy

Non-conventional energy sources are renewable and have large future potential. They reduce dependence on fossil fuels and have lower environmental impact.

• Solar energy: Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar energy is used for cooking, water heating, pumping, refrigeration, lighting and small-scale power generation.
• Potential and projects: The Thar Desert has high solar potential. Large solar parks and plants exist in western India; an example mentioned is the plant near Madhapur close to Bhuj.
• Wind energy: India has a considerable wind energy potential estimated at about 20,000 MW. Major wind-power producing states are Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra and the Lakshadweep islands.
• Wind farms: Large wind farm clusters exist in Tamil Nadu (including clusters of about 150 MW) and favourable sites also exist in Gujarat.
• Biogas: Produced from farm wastes, animal dung and other organic wastes; used for domestic cooking and lighting in rural households.
• Improved chulhas: Improved cookstoves reduce smoke and use less fuelwood than traditional chulhas, improving health and saving fuel.
• Other renewable sources: Geothermal, tidal and wave energy are additional non-conventional sources with specific regional potential.

Conservation of energy resources

​Conserving energy reduces demand on limited fossil fuel reserves and lowers environmental impact. Practical measures include:

• Use public transport and car-pooling to reduce fuel consumption.
• Switch off lights, fans and electrical appliances when not required.
• Use energy-efficient appliances and lighting (e.g., LED bulbs, energy-saving motors).
• Maintain and check electrical equipment and systems regularly to avoid losses.
• Promote and adopt non-conventional and renewable energy sources where feasible.