Chapter - 5 - Minerals and Energy Resources
Minerals and energy resources are essential for the economic and industrial development of a country.
1. Minerals :- Minerals are naturally occurring substances with a definite chemical composition and physical properties.
Types of Minerals
Metallic Minerals – Contain metals in raw form.
Ferrous Minerals (Contain Iron) → Iron ore, Manganese, Chromite
Non-Ferrous Minerals (Do not contain Iron) → Copper, Bauxite, Lead, Zinc
Non-Metallic Minerals – Do not contain metals.
Examples: Limestone, Mica, Gypsum, Coal, Petroleum
Energy Minerals – Provide energy.
Examples: Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas
Modes of Occurrence of Minerals
- In Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks – Found in cracks, crevices (e.g., tin, copper). The smaller occurrence are called veins and larger are called lodes.
- In Sedimentary Rocks – Found in beds or layers. They have been formed as a result of deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata. (e.g., coal, limestone, gypsum). These are formed as a result of evaporation especially in arid regions.
- As Alluvial Deposits – Found in river beds (e.g., gold, platinum).
- As Residual Masses – Formed due to weathering of rocks (e.g., bauxite).
- In Ocean Waters – Some minerals are dissolved in sea water (e.g., magnesium).
What is Rat-Hole Mining?
Rat-hole mining is an unscientific and hazardous method of coal mining practiced in parts of India, especially in Meghalaya. It involves digging narrow tunnels, just big enough for a single person to crawl in and extract coal.
Banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014 due to environmental and safety concerns.
What is a Mine?
A mine is a place where minerals, metals, or other valuable resources are extracted from the Earth. Mining is the process of digging into the ground to obtain these resources for industrial and economic use.
Ferrous Minerals :- Ferrous minerals are minerals that contain iron (Fe) in significant amounts. They are essential for the production of iron and steel, which are used in construction, transportation, and various industries.
Iron Ore :-
- Used in making steel.
- Major iron ore types: Hematite, Magnetite, Limonite, Siderite.
- Hematite ore is the most important industrial iron ore in terms of the quantity used.
- Found in :- Odisha, (Bailadila range of hills in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh), Gua and Noamundi in Jharkhand), (Kudermukh mines are located in Karnataka).
Manganese :-
- Used in steel-making and battery production.
- Found in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha.
Non-Ferrous Minerals :- Non-ferrous minerals are minerals that do not contain iron (Fe). These minerals are essential for industries like electrical, construction, and aerospace due to their lightweight, high conductivity, and corrosion resistance.
Bauxite :-
- Use: Primary ore for aluminum production.
- Found in: Amarkantak plateau, Maikal hills and the plateau region of Bilaspur-Katni. Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand.
- During 2016-2017 Odisha was the largest bauxite producing state in India.
Copper
- Use: Electrical wiring, coins, and alloys (brass, bronze).
- Found in: Khetri mines in Rajasthan, Singhbhum district of Jharkhand are leading producers of copper, Balghat mines in Madhya Pradesh.
Non-Metallic Minerals :- Non-metallic minerals are minerals that do not contain metals and are used in various industries like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. They are usually lightweight, non-conductive, and non-magnetic.
Mica :- It can be clear, black, green, red yellow or brown.
- Use: Electrical industry (good insulator), cosmetics, paints.
- Found in: Hazaribagh belt of Jharkhand, Chota Nagpur and Koderma Gaya,, in Rajasthan major mica producing area is Ajmer. in Andhra Pradesh, Nellore mica belt.
Limestone
- Use: Cement industry, steel-making, construction.
- Found in: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh.
Hazards of Mining – Mining is an essential activity for extracting minerals and fuels, but it poses serious hazards to workers, the environment, and nearby communities.
1. Environmental Hazards
- Deforestation – Large areas of forests are cleared for mining.
- Soil Erosion & Land Degradation – Mining disturbs the natural landscape, making land unfit for agriculture.
- Water Pollution – Waste from mines contaminates rivers and groundwater (e.g., acid mine drainage).
- Air Pollution – Dust and harmful gases (e.g., methane from coal mines) pollute the air.
- Loss of Biodiversity – Mining destroys natural habitats, endangering wildlife.
2. Health Hazards for Workers
- Respiratory Diseases – Inhaling coal or silica dust can cause lung diseases (e.g., silicosis, pneumoconiosis).
- Hearing Loss – Continuous exposure to loud machinery can damage hearing.
- Injuries & Fatal Accidents – Mine collapses, explosions, and machinery failures can be deadly.
- Toxic Gas Exposure – Gases like carbon monoxide and methane in underground mines can cause suffocation.
3. Social and Economic Hazards
- Displacement of Local Communities – People are forced to leave their homes due to mining projects.
- Child and Exploitative Labor – In unregulated mines, child labor and poor working conditions are common.
- Dependency on Mining – Once minerals are exhausted, mining towns face economic decline.
Conservation of Minerals
- Use alternative materials (e.g., synthetic fibers, plastics).
- Recycling of metals.
- Improved mining technology to reduce waste.
- Regulate body ensure that resources are mined responsibility.
- Wastage should be minimized.
- Used in planned and sustainable manner
Energy Resources :- Energy resources are crucial for industries, transport, and domestic uses.
Types of Energy Resources
A. Conventional Energy Sources :- Used for a long time, mostly non-renewable
- Coal – Found in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh.
- Types of Coal :-
- Peat :- Coal is found in a variety of forms depending on the degree of compression and the depthe and time of burial. Decaying plants in swamps produce peat.
- Lignite :- It is a low grade brown coal which is soft with higher moisture content. Lignite reserves are in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu.
- Bituminous :- Coal that has been buried deep and subjected to increased temperatures.
- Anthracite :- It is the highest quality hard coal.
Petroleum – Act as a nodal industry.
- Found in :- Three major petroleum production area in India are Mumbai High, Assam, and Ankeleshwar in the Gujarat. Digboi, Naharkatiya and Moran - Hugrijan are the important oil fields in Assam.
Natural Gas – Natural gas is found with petroleum deposits and is released when crude oil is brought to the surface.
- Found in Krishna-Godavari Basin, Mumbai High, Assam.
- First 1,700 km Hazira - Vijaipur - Jagdishpur (HVJ) Gas pipeline constructed by GAIL (INDIA). It linked Mumbai High and Bassein gas fields.
Electricity :- Electricity is generated mainly in two ways:
- Thermal Electricity – Uses coal, oil, or gas.
- Hydroelectricity – Uses moving water (dams).
B. Non-Conventional Energy Sources :- (Alternative and renewable)
- Nuclear or Atomic Energy :- It is obtained by altering the structure of atoms.Uranium and Thorium available in Jharkhand and Aravali range of Rajasthan are used for generating atomic or nuclear power.
- Monazite sands of Kerala is also rich in Thorium
Solar Energy – Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu.
Wind Energy – Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra.
Tidal Energy – Gulf of Kutch, West Bengal.
Geothermal Energy – Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh), Puga Valley (Ladakh).
Biogas – Used in rural areas.
Need for Energy Conservation
- Fossil fuels are depleting.
- Renewable sources are eco-friendly.
- Energy efficiency reduces pollution.
No comments:
Post a Comment