- Minerals in India are classified into metallic and non-metallic minerals based on their chemical and physical properties.
- Metallic minerals contain metals and are of two types—ferrous (with iron, e.g. iron ore, manganese) and non-ferrous (without iron, e.g. copper, bauxite).
- Non-metallic minerals do not contain metals and may be organic (coal, petroleum) or inorganic (limestone, mica, graphite).
- Minerals are unevenly distributed and exhaustible; good-quality minerals are scarce and take millions of years to form, so conservation is necessary.
- Minerals are vital for economic development, as they support industries, technology and agriculture; India is rich in minerals like iron ore, coal, mica, manganese, bauxite and limestone.
Key Points
Key Points: Minerals
- Rocks are made of minerals; some rocks, like limestone, have one mineral, but most contain many minerals in different proportions.
- Though over 2000 minerals are identified, only a few are common and form most rocks.
- The properties of minerals (colour, hardness, crystal form, lustre, density) depend on the physical and chemical conditions of their formation.
- Geographers study minerals for their distribution and economic use, while geologists study their formation, age, and composition.
- Minerals are classified as metallic and non-metallic; ores are minerals from which metals are extracted (e.g., bauxite → aluminium).
Key Points: Types of Minerals in India
Key Points: Major Minerals of India > Iron Ore
- Iron ore is the backbone of modern industry and is the most important metallic (ferrous) mineral used mainly for making steel.
- Major varieties of iron ore in India are:
Magnetite (best quality, >70% iron), Haematite (60–70% iron), Limonite (35–50% iron), Siderite (poor quality, <35% iron). - About 90% of iron ore is used in steel production, which is essential for construction, transport, machinery and infrastructure.
- India is one of the largest producers of iron ore in the world, and most deposits are found near coal and limestone, helping steel industries.
- Major iron-ore producing states are Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Jharkhand, with important export ports at Mormugao and Visakhapatnam.
Key Points: Major Minerals of India > Manganese
- Manganese is a hard, black, metallic mineral and an important raw material used in the iron and steel industry.
- Its main use is in making steel tough and rust-resistant, and in the manufacture of ferro-alloys.
- Manganese is also used in dry cell batteries, bleaching powder, glass, chemicals, enamel and fertilizers.
- It is essential in small amounts for plants, humans and animals, as it helps enzyme activity, bone growth and metabolism, but excess is harmful.
- Major manganese-producing states in India are Odisha (largest producer), Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Key Points: Major Minerals of India > Copper
- Nature of Copper: Copper is an important non-ferrous metal and was the earliest metal used by humans. It occurs naturally as sulphides, oxides and carbonates.
- Properties: Copper is highly ductile, malleable and a very good conductor of electricity and heat, which makes it useful for wires and electrical equipment.
- Uses: Copper is widely used in electrical wires, cables, utensils, automobiles, shipbuilding and defence industries. It is also used for roofing and plumbing.
- Alloys of Copper: Copper forms important alloys—Brass (Copper + Zinc), Bronze (Copper + Tin) and Stainless steel (Copper + Iron + Nickel).
- Distribution in India: India is deficient in copper. Major deposits are found in Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat), Rajasthan (Khetri belt), Jharkhand (Singhbhum) and Maharashtra (Bhandara, Chandrapur).
Key Points: Major Minerals of India > Bauxite (Aluminium)
- Nature of Bauxite: Bauxite is an oxide of aluminium and is the chief ore of aluminium. It is mainly associated with laterite rocks.
- Occurrence: It is found mostly in tertiary deposits on the plateaus and hill ranges of Peninsular India and also in some coastal regions.
- Properties of Aluminium: Aluminium obtained from bauxite is lightweight, strong, durable, rust-resistant and a good conductor of heat and electricity.
- Uses: Aluminium is widely used in aircrafts, automobiles, rail wagons, ships, electrical cables, household appliances, mirrors, headlight reflectors and telescopes.
- Distribution in India: Major bauxite deposits are found in Odisha (largest producer), Gujarat, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Karnataka. The largest integrated aluminium plant is at Renukoot (Uttar Pradesh).
