Chapter – 5
Minerals and Energy Resources
MineralsThese are homogeneous naturally occurring substances normally found in solid, liquid and gaseous state.
Types of Minerals
Metallic and non-metallic.
Metallic Minerals
Further sub-divided into ferrous and non-ferrous.
Ferrous (containing iron) are iron ore, manganese ore, chromite, pyrite, nickel and cobalt.
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
Iron Ore
Basic mineral, backbone of industrial development. There are different varieties of
Magnetite (contains 70% iron) — Finest quality, with magnetic properties.
Hematite (contains 60% to 70% iron) – Most important industrial iron are.
Magnetite and Hematite
Use
These are found in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Orissa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Well-known iron ore mines
Durg and Bastar districts of Chhattisgarh, Paschimi and Purbi Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts of Orissa, North Goa, Chikmagalur and Bellary districts of Karnataka, Ratnagiri of Maharashtra
Manganese Ore
Use
Manganese ore is used for making iron and steel and preparing alloys. It is used to manufacture bleaching powder, insecticides, paints and batteries.
Reserves
The main reserves of manganese ore are found in Karnataka, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Goa. 97% of India’s manganese ore is mined in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Copper
Use
Copper is used for making utensils, electric wires and alloys
Distribution
90% of the copper reserves are concentrated in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
Bauxite
It is an ore from which aluminium is obtained. Aluminium is used in manufacturing of aeroplanes, utensils and other household goods
Distribution
Jharkhand, Orissa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Orissa is the largest producer (45%) Panchpatmali deposits in Koraput, Orissa and Amarkantak, Maikal hills, Bilaspur-Katni plateau regions are important
Mica
Use
It is used in electrical and electronic industries.
Distribution
Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan
Limestone is composed of calcium carbonate or calcium and magnesium carbonates
Use
Limestone is used in the cement industry, smelting of iron and in chemical industries. Distribution
Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh
Conservation of Minerals
They are non-renewable — should be conserved
Wastage in the process of mining and processing has to be reduced to the minimum. Export of minerals should be minimized. Substitutes should be used in order to save minerals
Energy Resources
The sources of energy are — Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Hydel Energy
Conventional Energy
Coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity.
Non-Conventional Energy
Solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, atomic energy and biogas
Commercial Sources of Energy
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydroelectricity and nuclear energy
Non-Commercial Sources of Energy
Firewood, charcoal, cowdung and agricultural wastes
Coal
Use
Coal is the main source of power generation in India. 67% of the country’s requirements of power is met by coal. It is used in the manufacture of iron and steel. It is also used as a raw material for the chemical industry
Four Types of Coal
Anthracite, bituminous, lignite and peat based on the quality.
Bituminous
It is found in Jharia, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh
Lignite
It is found in Tamil Nadu, Neyveli
Coalfields
These are found in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa. Famous coal mines : Jharia in Jharkhand, Raniganj in West Bengal, Talcher in Orissa
Petroleum
Second most important energy source, raw materials for a number of industries. Distribution
63% of crude petroleum is produced from Mumbai High, 18% from Gujarat and 16% from Assam
Important oilfields in Gujarat
Ankleshwar
Important oilfields in Assam
Digboi, Naharkatiya, Moran, Hygrijan. Oil from these fields is refined at Digboi, Guwahati, Bongaigaon in Assam and Barauni in Bihar
Natural Gas
Environment friendly fuel, raw material in petrochemical industry. Distribution — Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Assam and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Krishna-Godavari Basin
Over 3/4th of the production comes from Mumbai High, 10% form Gujarat, 7% from Assam and the rest from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Rajasthan
Electricity
Installed Capacity of India
137500 MW. Per capita consumption of electricity — 379 kwh
Thermal Electricity
It is obtained by using coal, petroleum and natural gas.
Distribution
Assam, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal
Other Significant Producers
Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Orissa and Delhi. Hydroelectricity — It is produced from water released at a great force from a high head. Distribution — Important hydel power-producing states are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, and Punjab
Nuclear Electricity
It is produced from uranium and thorium. There are seven nuclear power stations in the country
They are located at
Tarapur (Maharashtra), Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu), Rawatbhata (Rajasthan), Narora (Uttar Pradesh), Kakrapara (Gujarat), Kaiga (Karnataka)
Non-Conventional Sources of Energy
The potential of non-conventional sources of energy is large. They use renewable resources for energy generation
Solar Energy
Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity
Use
Solar energy is used for cooking, pumping, heating of water, refrigerator and street lighting
Biggest Solar Power House of India
Thar desert.
Largest Solar Plant of India
Madhapur near Bhuj
Wind Energy
India has a wind power potential of 20,000 MW
Distribution
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep
Largest Wind Farm Cluster
It is of 150 MW and located in Tamil Nadu. Gujarat is very favourable for wind farm
Biogas
Shrubs, farm wastes, animal and human wastes are used to produce biogas for domestic consumption in the rural areas
Improved Chulhas
The chulhas used in the rural areas use wood and cow dung which emits smoke. The improved chulhas do not emit smoke and use less wood
Other Non-Conventional Sources
Include geo-thermal energy, tidal energy and wave energy
Conservation of Energy Resources
In order to conserve energy, we must
Use the public transport system more frequently.
Switch off electricity whenever not required
Use power-saving devices
Check the power equipment regularly
Use non-conventional sources of energy more frequently
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