Minerals and Energy Resources

• Introduction to Minerals

  • Definition: Homogeneous, naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure
  • Occurrence
    • In Igneous and metamorphic rocks (in cracks, faults, joints as veins and lodes)
    • In Sedimentary rocks (in beds or layers formed by deposition, evaporation)
    • As Decomposition surface rocks (residual mass of weathered material, e.g., bauxite)
    • As Alluvial deposits / Placers (sands of valley floors, base of hills, e.g., gold, silver, tin)
    • In Ocean waters (vast quantities, e.g., common salt, magnesium, bromine)
  • Classification of Minerals
    • Metallic
      • Ferrous (containing iron, e.g., iron ore, manganese, nickel, cobalt)
      • Non-Ferrous (e.g., copper, lead, tin, bauxite)
      • Precious (e.g., gold, silver, platinum)
    • Non-Metallic
      • Mica, salt, potash, sulphur, granite, limestone, marble, sandstone
    • Energy Minerals
      • Coal, petroleum, natural gas

• Distribution of Key Minerals in India

  • Iron Ore
    • Backbone of industrial development
    • Major belts: Odisha-Jharkhand belt, Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt, Ballari-Chitradurga-Chikkamagaluru-Tumakuru belt, Maharashtra-Goa belt
  • Manganese
    • Chiefly used in manufacturing steel and ferro-manganese alloy
    • Odisha is the largest producer
  • Copper
    • Malleable, ductile, and good conductor
    • Mainly in Khetri mines (Rajasthan), Singhbhum (Jharkhand), and Malanjkhand (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Bauxite
    • Clay-like substance from which aluminium is obtained
    • Deposits in Amarkantak plateau, Maikal hills, and Bilaspur-Katni region (Madhya Pradesh is an important producer)
  • Mica
    • Made of plates/sheets; excellent dielectric strength
    • Deposits along the northern edge of the Chota Nagpur plateau (Koderma Gaya-Hazaribagh belt)

• Conservation of Minerals

  • Why conserve?
    • Finite and non-renewable resources
    • Rapid consumption rates
    • Geological formation takes millions of years
  • Methods
    • Planned and sustainable use
    • Recycling of metals
    • Using alternative renewable substitutes
    • Low-waste technologies

• Energy Resources

  • Conventional Sources
    • Coal
      • Most abundantly available fossil fuel
      • Types: Anthracite, Bituminous, Lignite, Peat
      • Age groups: Gondwana coal and Tertiary coal
    • Petroleum (Mineral Oil)
      • Provides energy for heat and lighting, lubricants, and raw materials for petrochemical industries
      • Major fields: Mumbai High, Ankleshwar (Gujarat), Digboi (Assam)
    • Natural Gas
      • Environment-friendly clean energy source
      • Found with petroleum or in Krishna-Godavari basin
    • Electricity
      • Hydroelectricity (generated by running water)
      • Thermal Electricity (generated by coal, petroleum, and natural gas)
  • Non-Conventional Sources
    • Solar Energy
      • Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity
      • Abundant in tropical countries like India
    • Wind Energy
      • India has a vast wind farm network (Tamil Nadu to Gujarat)
    • Biogas
      • Derived from shrubs, farm waste, animal and human waste
      • Provides energy and improved manure (Gobar Gas plants)
    • Tidal Energy
      • Harnessed by building tidal barrages (Gulf of Khambhat, Gulf of Kutch, Gangetic delta)
    • Geothermal Energy
      • Heat energy harnessed from the interior of the earth (Parvati valley near Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh, Puga valley in Ladakh)

• Conservation of Energy Resources

  • Promotion of energy conservation
  • Increased use of renewable energy sources
  • Public transport over private vehicles
  • Turning off electrical appliances when not in use
  • Use of power-saving devices ("Save Energy, Save Future")