Chapter – 5

Mineral and Energy Resources

In this post we have given the detailed notes of class 12 Geography Book 2 Chapter 5 (Mineral and Energy Resources) in English. These notes are useful for the students who are going to appear in class 12 board exams.

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Chapter 5: Mineral and Energy Resources

Introduction

India possesses a diverse range of mineral resources due to its varied geological structure. Most valuable minerals are found in peninsular India’s metamorphic and igneous rocks and are products of the pre-Paleozoic era. The vast alluvial plains of north India lack significant mineral deposits. These mineral resources are crucial for India’s industrial development.  

What is a Mineral?

A mineral is a naturally occurring substance, either organic or inorganic, with distinct chemical and physical properties.  

Types of Mineral Resources

Minerals are broadly classified into two categories: metallic and non-metallic.  

• Metallic Minerals: These are further divided into ferrous (containing iron) and non-ferrous (not containing iron) minerals.  
  • Examples of ferrous minerals: Iron ore, manganese  
  • Examples of non-ferrous minerals: Copper, bauxite  
• Non-Metallic Minerals: These can be either organic (derived from ancient plant and animal life) or inorganic (not derived from living organisms).  
  • Examples of organic non-metallic minerals: Coal, petroleum, natural gas  
  • Examples of inorganic non-metallic minerals: Mica, limestone, graphite  

Characteristics of Minerals

• Uneven Distribution: Minerals are not evenly distributed across the earth’s surface.  
• Inverse Relationship between Quality and Quantity: High-quality mineral deposits are generally smaller in quantity compared to lower-quality deposits.  
• Exhaustibility: Minerals are a finite resource and are exhaustible over time. They take a long time to form geologically and cannot be quickly replenished.  

Distribution of Minerals in India

Most metallic minerals in India are found in the peninsular plateau region’s old crystalline rocks. Coal reserves are primarily located in the Damodar, Sone, Mahanadi, and Godavari valleys. Petroleum reserves are found in the sedimentary basins of Assam, Gujarat, and off the Mumbai coast in the Arabian Sea (Mumbai High). New reserves have been discovered in the Krishna-Godavari and Kaveri basins.  

Mineral Belts in India

There are three main mineral belts in India:  

• The North-Eastern Plateau Region: This belt covers Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and parts of Chhattisgarh. It contains a variety of minerals, including iron ore, coal, manganese, bauxite, and mica. This region is a major center for iron and steel industries due to the abundance of these resources.  
• The South-Western Plateau Region: This belt extends over Karnataka, Goa, and parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is rich in ferrous metals and bauxite, but lacks significant coal deposits. It also has high-grade iron ore, manganese, and limestone. Kerala has deposits of monazite, thorium, and bauxite clay, while Goa has iron ore deposits.  
• The North-Western Region: This belt runs along the Aravali Range in Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat. The main minerals found here are copper and zinc. Rajasthan is rich in building stones like sandstone, granite, and marble, as well as gypsum and fuller’s earth. Dolomite and limestone are also found, supporting the cement industry. Gujarat is known for its petroleum deposits. Both Gujarat and Rajasthan have significant salt reserves.  
• The Himalayan Belt: This belt contains deposits of copper, lead, zinc, cobalt, and tungsten. The Assam Valley also has mineral oil deposits.  

Important Minerals and their Distribution

Ferrous Minerals:

• Iron Ore: India has abundant iron ore reserves, the largest in Asia. The main types are hematite and magnetite. About 95% of the total reserves are located in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Goa, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.  
• Manganese: Used in smelting iron ore and manufacturing ferroalloys. Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are the leading producers.  

Non-Ferrous Minerals:

• Bauxite: The ore used to manufacture aluminum. Odisha is the largest producer, followed by Jharkhand, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.  
• Copper: Essential for the electrical industry. Major deposits are found in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.  

Non-Metallic Minerals:

• Mica: Primarily used in the electrical and electronics industries. It can be split into thin, tough, and flexible sheets. Major producers are Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan.  

Energy Resources

Conventional Sources:

• Coal: Primarily used for thermal power generation and iron ore smelting. 80% of India’s coal is of non-coking, bituminous type. Major coal fields are located in the Damodar Valley (Jharkhand-Bengal coal belt).  
• Petroleum: A vital source of energy for various industries and transportation. Its by-products are used in petrochemical industries. Major oilfields are in Assam, Gujarat, and Mumbai High.  
• Natural Gas: Found alongside petroleum deposits. Used as a domestic and industrial fuel, and in power generation. Major reserves are in the Mumbai High, Cambay basin, and Krishna-Godavari basin.  

Non-Conventional Sources:

• Nuclear Energy: Uranium and thorium are the key minerals used. India has significant thorium reserves. Major nuclear power projects are located in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat.  
• Solar Energy: Conversion of sunlight into energy using photovoltaic cells or solar thermal technology. Western India, particularly Gujarat and Rajasthan, has high potential.  
• Wind Energy: Clean and inexhaustible energy source. Kinetic energy of wind is converted into electrical energy using wind turbines. Favourable conditions exist in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.  
• Tidal and Wave Energy: Energy from ocean currents and tides. India has significant potential along its coasts but remains largely untapped.  
• Geothermal Energy: Heat energy from the earth’s interior. Hot springs and geysers are used for power generation. A geothermal plant is operational in Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh.  
• Bio-energy: Energy derived from biological products like agricultural residues and waste. It can be converted into electricity, heat, or gas.  

Conservation of Mineral Resources

Sustainable development necessitates the integration of economic development with environmental concerns. Conserving mineral resources is crucial for future generations. This can be achieved through:  

• Utilizing alternative energy sources like solar, wind, wave, and geothermal energy.  
• Recycling of metals, especially scarce ones like copper, lead, and zinc.  
• Using substitutes for scarce minerals.  
• Reducing the export of strategic and scarce minerals.  

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