CHAPTER- MINERAL AND ENERGY RESOURCES

MINERALS -DEFINITION/MEANING
∙ Mineral is a homogenous naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure.
∙ They are found in varied forms in nature, ranging from the hardest diamond to the softest talc.
∙ over 2000 minerals have been identified, only a few are abundantly found in most of the rocks.
ORES
The term ore is described as accumulation of any mineral mixed with other elements, it should
have sufficient concentration to make its extraction viable.
Q “Minerals are indispensable part of our life” Explain

∙ Almost everything we use, from a tiny pin to a towering building or a big ship, all are made from
minerals.
∙ The railway lines and the tarmac (paving) of the roads, our implements and machinery too are made
from minerals.
∙ Cars, buses, trains, aeroplanes are manufactured from minerals and run on power resources
derived from the earth.
∙ Even the food that we eat contains minerals.
∙ In all stages of development, human beings have used minerals for their livelihood, decoration,
festivities, religious and ceremonial rites.
Q How is the study of minerals by geographers different from that of geologists?

⮚ By Geographers
∙ Geographers study minerals as part of the earth’s crust for a better
understanding of landforms.
∙ The distribution of mineral resources and associated economic activities are of interest to
geographers.
⮚ By Geologists
∙ A geologist, however, is interested in the formation of minerals, their age and physical and
chemical composition.

MODE OF OCCURRENCE OF MINERALS (i) In Igneous and

metamorphic rocks
∙ Occur in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints.
∙ The smaller occurrences are called vein and the larger are called lodes. ∙ They are formed
when minerals in liquid / molten & gaseous forms are forced upwards through cavities
towards earth’s surface.
∙ They cool and solidify as they rise.
∙ They include tin, copper, Zinc, lead etc.
(ii) In Sedimentary Rocks:

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∙ Minerals occur in beds and layers as a result of deposition, accumulation and concentration. of
horizontal strata Eg Coal and some forms of iron ore have been concentrated as a result of
long periods under great heat and pressure.
∙ Another group of sedimentary minerals include gypsum, potash salt, sodium salt. are formed as a
result of evaporation in arid region.
 (iii) Decomposition of Surface Rocks:

∙ Involves the removal of soluble constituents, leaving a residual mass of weathered material
containing ores eg. Bauxite.
(iv) Alluvial Deposits:
∙ Occur in sands of valley floors and the base of hills.
∙ These are called ‘Placer deposits ‘and are not corroded by water eg gold, silver, tin platinum.

(v) Ocean waters -contain vast quantities of minerals but most of these are too widely diffused to be
of economic significance, however common salt, magnesium & bromine are largely derived.

Q “India is fortunate to have fairly rich and varied mineral resources. But these are unevenly
distributed. Why? Explain with examples
Reasons
These variations exist largely because of the differences in the

∙ geological structure,
∙ processes and
∙ time involved in the formation of minerals.
Examples
∙ Peninsular rocks contain most of the reserves of coal, metallic minerals, mica and many other
non-metallic minerals.
∙ Sedimentary rocks on the western and eastern flanks of the peninsula, in Gujarat and Assam have
most of the petroleum deposits.
∙ Rajasthan with the rock systems of the peninsula, has reserves of many non-ferrous minerals.
∙ The vast alluvial plains of north India are almost devoid of economic minerals. TABLE

SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF FERROUS AND NON-FERROUS

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MINERALS IN INDIA
S.NO NAME REGIONS FOUND USES/IMP OF OTHER
MINERAL MINERAL IMPORTANT
FEATURES
1. Iron ∙ Odisha-Jharkhand belt-In -Backbone of - fairly abundant
Ore Odisha high grade Industrial resources of iron ore
hematite ore is found in Development.
(Ferrous) -India is rich in good
quality
Badampahar mines in the -Valuable in
Mayurbhanj and iron ores
Kendujhar districts. In the --Magnetite is the
Electrical
adjoining Singbhum
district of Jharkhand Industry. Finest
haematite iron ore is Iron Ore (70% Iron). It
mined in Gua and has excellent magnetic
Noamundi. qualities, especially
valuable in the electrical
∙ Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur
industry
Belt-lies in
Chhattisgarh -Hematite Ore is most
and Maharashtra. High Important Industrial
grade hematites found in Iron ore in terms of
Bailadila Range in bastar quantity used
district of Chattisgarh. (50-60-% Iron)
has the best physical
properties needed for steel
making. Iron ore from
these mines is exported to
Japan and South Korea via
Vishakhapatnam port
∙ Bellary-Chitradurga
Chikmaglur-Tumkur Belt-
. The Kudremukh mines
It
located in the Western
Ghats of Karnataka are a
100 per cent export unit.
Kudremukh deposits are
known to be one of the
largest in the world. The or
is transported as slurry
through a pipeline to a
port near Mangaluru
∙ Maharashtra-Goa Belt-
Goa And Ratnagiri
District of Maharashtra.
The ores are not of very
high quality, yet they are
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efficiently exploited. Iron
ore is exported through
Marmagao port.

2. ∙ Orissa is the largest -Manufacturing

Manganes producer of manganese Of Stee and ferro
e ores in India,Madhya
(Ferrous) manganese
alloy,
Pradesh,Karnataka
Bleaching
Powder,
insecticides, Paints.

3. Copper Leading producers -Making -It is Malleable, Ductile

Electrical and Good Conductor of
(Non ∙ Balaghat Mines in M.P,
Cables,
Ferrous) ∙ The Singbhum district of Electronics And Electricity.
Jharkhand, Chemical
∙ Khetri Mines in
Rajasthan. Industries. -India is Deficient in the
Reserve and Production
of Copper.
4. ∙ Amarkantak -Aluminium Bauxite deposits are
Bauxite(or Plateau,Maikal Combines the formed by the
e Strength of decomposition of a
of Hills,Plateau Region Of Metals Like Iron wide variety of rocks rich
aluminium) with in
Bilaspur-Katni ∙ Orissa is Extreme aluminium silicates
(Non
Lightness.
Ferrous) the largest
bauxite producing state in -Good
Conductivity
India----Panchpatmali and Great
important deposits in Malleability.
Koraput District.

5. Mica Leading Producers: -Used in electric -Has Di-Electric

and electronic Strength, Low Power
(Non ∙ Northern edge of Chota
industries. Factor,
Metallic) Nagpur Plateau,
Insulating Properties and
∙ Koderma-Gaya Resistance to High
Hazaribagh belt of Voltage.
Jharkhand,
Mica Can Be Black,
Important producers Green, Brown in Colour.
∙ Ajmer in Rajasthan and,
∙ Nellore of Andhra
Pradesh-

6. Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh, -Used in The found in association with

Limeston Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Cement Industry rocks composed of
e calcium
Nadu
(Rock Also Important for carbonates or calcium
Mineral) Smelting Iron Ore and magnesium
in Blast Furnace carbonates.

It is found in
sedimentary
rocks of most
geological
formations.
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Q Why do we need to conserve minerals? What are the methods of conserving minerals?
NEED

∙ Strong dependence of industry and agriculture upon mineral deposits and the substance
manufactured from them.
∙ The total volume of mineral deposits is less i.e one per cent of the earth’s crust. ∙ The geological
processes of mineral formation are so slow that the rates of replenishment are infinitely small in
comparison to the present rates of consumption. ∙ Mineral resources are therefore, finite and
non-renewable.
∙ Continued costs as mineral extraction comes from greater depths along with decrease in quality.

WAYS TO CONSERVE MINERALS

∙ Use mineral resources in planned and sustainable manner.

 ∙ Improved technologies to allow use of low-grade ores at low costs. ∙ Recycling
of metals, using scrap metals and other substitutes
∙ Scientific mining to prevent wastage
∙ Use of renewable energy resource

HAZARDS OF MINING: Killer Industry

Q. What are the impacts of mining on the health of the miners and the
environment?The impacts of mining on the health of the miners and the environment

∙ The dust and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases.
∙ The risk of collapsing mine roofs, inundation and fires in coalmines are a constant threat to
miners.
∙ The water sources in the region get contaminated due to mining. Dumping of waste and slurry
leads to degradation of land, soil, and increase in stream and river pollution.

Q How can we prevent mining from becoming a “Killer industry”?

∙ Stricter safety regulations

∙ implementation of environmental laws are essential to prevent mining from becoming a “killer
industry”

TYPES OF ENERGY RESOURCES

Difference between Conventional and Non-Conventional sources of energy

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5. Example: Firewood, cattle 5.Example:
CONVENTIONAL ENERGY dung cake, coal, petroleum, Tidal energy
natural gas etc.

1. Used since the early times.

2. Non –renewable sources of 2. ReCONVENTIONAL SOURCE OF

energy and found in limited in abuENERGY
quantities.
COAL- Most abundantly available fossil fuel
3. Cause air and water 3. Ec
pollution as their burning any pUSES-
emits smoke ∙ It provides a substantial part of the nation’s
and leave residue. energy needs.
4. These sources of energy 4. Th
require huge capital stage o
Investment. expen
but ru
 ∙ It is used for power generation, to supply energy to industry as well as for domestic needs.
∙ India is highly dependent on coal for meeting its commercial energy requirements.
FORMATION- formed due the compression of plant material over millions of years. It is found in a
variety of forms depending on the degrees of compression and the depth and time of burial.
TYPES-

∙ Decaying plants in swamps produce peat. It has a low carbon and high moisture contents and
low heating capacity.
∙ Lignite is a low-grade brown coal, which is soft with high moisture content. The lignite
reserves are in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu and are used for generation of electricity.
∙ Bituminous -it is the most popular coal in commercial use. Metallurgical coal is high grade
bituminous coal which has a special value for smelting iron in blast furnaces. ∙ Anthracite is the
highest quality hard coal.
DISTRIBUTION: REGIONS/AREAS-
∙ Gondwana deposits (over 200 million years in age): Damodar valley (West Bengal
Jharkhand). Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro are important coalfields. The Godavari, Mahanadi,
Son and Wardha valleys also contain coal deposits.

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∙ Tertiary deposits (about 55 million years old)- North eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam,
Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
PETROLEUM- Second most important source of energy after coal. USES:

∙ fuel for heat and lighting,

∙ lubricants for machinery and raw materials for a number of manufacturing industries. ∙ Petroleum
refineries act as a “nodal industry” for synthetic textile, fertiliser and numerous chemical industries.
FORMATION
∙ Found in anticlines and fault traps in the rock formations of the tertiary age. ∙
found in fault traps between porous and non-porous rocks
DISTRIBUTION/REGIONS
∙ About 63 per cent of India’s petroleum production is from Mumbai High, ∙ 18 per cent from Gujarat
-Ankeleshwar is the most important field of Gujarat, ∙ 16 per cent from Assam [oldest oil producing
state of India]- Digboi, Naharkatiya and Moran-Hugrijan are the important oil fields in the state.

NATURAL GAS
OCCURRENCE/FORMATION-Natural Gas is found with petroleum deposits and is released when
crude oil is brought to the surface
USE-

∙ It can be used as a domestic and industrial fuel. It is used as fuel in power sector to generate
electricity, for heating purpose in industries, as transport fuel and as cooking fuel.
∙ Used as a raw material in chemical, petrochemical and fertilizer industries,
∙ With the expansion of gas infrastructure and local city gas distribution (COD) networks,
natural gas is also emerging as a preferred transport fuel (CNG) and cooking fuel (PNG)
at homes.
ADVANTAGES- Natural gas is considered an environment friendly fuel because of low carbon
dioxide emissions and is, therefore, the fuel for the present century.
DISTRIBUTION/AREAS-

∙ India’s major gas reserves are found in the Mumbai High and allied fields along the west coast
which are supplemented by finds in the Cambay basin.
∙ Along the East Coast, new reserves of natural gas have been discovered in the
Krishna-Godavari basin.
∙ The first 1,700 KM long Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur (HVJ) cross country gas pipeline,
constructed by GAIL (India), linked Mumbai High and Bassein gas fields

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with various fertilizer, power and industrial complexes in western and northern India. This artery
provided impetus to Indian gas market development
TOTAL PRODUCTION

∙ Overall, India’s gas infrastructure has expanded over ten times from 1,700 KM to 18,500 KM of
cross-country pipelines and is expected to soon reach over 34, 000 KM as Gas Grid by linking all
gas sources and consuming markets across the country including North Eastern states.

ELECTRICITY
Electricity has such a wide range of applications in today’s world that, its percapita consumption is
considered as an index of development. Electricity is generated mainly in two ways:

∙ Hydroelectricity- By running water which drives hydro turbines to generate hydroelectricity.

It is a renewable resource. India has a number of multi-purpose projects like the Bhakra
Nangal, Damodar Valley corporation, the Kopili Hydel
Project etc. producing hydroelectric power.
∙ Thermal electricity- is generated by burning fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas to
drive turbines to produce thermal power. The thermal power stations use non-renewable fossil
 fuels for generating electricity.

NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY RESOURCES

S. ENERG REGIONS/ARE USES/ADVANTAGES OTHER
NO Y AS OF RESOURCE IMPORTANT
SOURC FEATURES
E

5. Solar Country-India -photovoltaic tech.

energy Converts sunlight into
More scope in
electricity - India is a
Rajasthan - use of solar energy will be
tropical
able to minimize the
dependence of rural country-bright
households on firewood and future
dung cakes, Popular in rural
and
- will contribute to remote areas.
environmental conservation
and adequate supply of
manure in agriculture.

6. Wind Tamil Nadu -generating electricity -India ranks as

power from a
Nagarcoil to wind super power
Madurai, Andhra in world
Pradesh, Kerala,
-largest wind
Karnataka,
farm cluster is in
Gujarat, Tamil Nadu
Maharashtra and from
Lakshadweep Nagarcoil to
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USES: used to generate electric power

FORMATION/SOURCE:
7. Bio gas Biogas plants are -improves
∙ is obtained by altering the structure of atoms.
set up at
municipal,
-prevents
cooperative and
individual levels. manures

8. Tidal Gulf of khambat -oceanic

energy && gulf of kuchch to
in generate
Gujarat on the

western coast

9. Geotherm Experimental -used to d

al energy projects-Parvati and
valley in
Himachal generate
Pradesh and
Puga

valley in Ladakh

NUCLEAR OR ATOMIC ENERGY

 ∙ Uranium and thorium, which are available in Jharkhand and the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan are
used for generating atomic or nuclear power.
∙ The Monazite sands of Kerala is also rich in thorium.
AREAS: Kaiga (Karnataka), Kalpakkam (Chennai), Kakrapara (Gujarat),
Tarapur(Maharashtra), Rawatbhata (Rajasthan), Naraura(UP)

CONSERVATION OF ENERGY RESOURCES “There is an urgent need to develop a

sustainable path of energy development”. WhyOR

“Consumption of energy in all forms has been steadily rising all over the country”. Explain

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∙ Energy is a basic requirement for economic development.
∙ Every sector of the national economy – agriculture, industry, transport, commercial and domestic
– needs inputs of energy.
∙ The economic development plans implemented since Independence necessarily required
increasing amounts of energy to remain operational
∙ As a result, consumption of energy in all forms has been steadily rising all over the country
MEASURES TO CONSERVE ENERGY RESOURCES OR

“Energy saved is energy produced”. Support the statement with suitable examples

∙ We have to adopt a cautious approach for the judicious use of our limited energy resources.
∙ Using public transport instead of individual.
∙ Switching of electricity when not in use.
∙ Using power saving devices.
∙ Using non-conventional sources of power.
∙ After all, “energy saved is energy produced

EXTRA QUESTIONS
Q What are the factors affecting the economic viability of a reserve?

∙ concentration of mineral in the ore,

∙ the ease of extraction and
∙ closeness to the market
∙ Thus, to meet the demand, a choice has to be made between a number of possible options. When
this is done a mineral ‘deposit’ or ‘reserve’ turns into a mine
Q. Why do you think Solar energy has a bright future in India?
∙ India is a tropical country and has possibilities of tapping solar energy. ∙
Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight into electricity.
∙ Solar energy is fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas. ∙ Some big solar power plants are
being established in different parts of India which will minimise the dependence of rural households
on firewood and dung cakes, ∙ This will contribute to environmental conservation and adequate
supply of manure in agriculture
Q. What is rat hole mining?
∙ In most of the tribal areas of the north-east India, minerals are owned by individuals or
communities.
∙ In Meghalaya, there are large deposits of coal, iron ore, limestone and dolomite etc. ∙ Coal
mining in Jowai and Cherapunjee is done by family member in the form of a long narrow tunnel,
known as ‘Rat hole’ mining. The National Green Tribunal has declared such activities illegal and
recommended that these should be stopped.

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Q. What are the twin benefits of biogas to the farmers? OR

Q. What are the advantages of using Biogas?

Twin benefits of biogas to the farmer are-

∙ Form of energy
∙ Provide improved quality of manure-Biogas is by far the most efficient use of cattle dung. It
improves the quality of manure and also prevents the loss of trees and manure due to burning of
fuel wood and cow dung cakes

Q. What are the twin planks of sustainable energy?

∙ Promotion of energy conservation
∙ increased use of renewable energy sources are the twin planks of sustainable energy.

Q. Firewood and cattle dung cake are most common in rural India. Continuation use of these is
increasingly becoming difficult. Why?

∙ due to decreasing forest area.

∙ using dung cake too is being discouraged because it consumes most valuable manure which could
be used in agriculture

Q. There is a pressing need to use renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind, tide,
biomass and energy from waste material. Why?

∙ The growing consumption of energy has resulted in the country becoming increasingly
dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
∙ Rising prices of oil and gas and their potential shortages have raised uncertainties about the
security of energy supply in future, which in turn has serious repercussions on the growth of the
national economy.
∙ Moreover, increasing use of fossil fuels also causes serious environmental problems
Q What is the importance of HVJ cross country gas pipeline?

∙ The first 1,700 KM long Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur (HVJ) cross country gas pipeline,
constructed by GAIL (India), linked Mumbai High and Bassein gas fields with various
fertilizer, power and industrial complexes in western and northen India.
∙ This artery has provided an impetus to India’s gas production and development
Indiangas market

Q Why natural gas is considered as environment friendly?

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∙ Natural gas is considered an environment friendly fuel because of low carbon
dioxideemissions and is, therefore, the fuel for the present century
Q What are the two ways of generating electricity?
Electricity is generated mainly in two ways:

∙ By running water which drives hydro turbines to generate hydroelectricity. ∙ By burning other
fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas to drive turbines to produce thermal power.
Q Distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals
FERROUS NON-FERROUS

Contain iron Do not contain iron

Ferrous minerals show high Nonferrous minerals do not show

magnetic properties. magnetic properties.

Ferrous minerals are less resistant Nonferrous minerals are more resistant
to corrosion. to corrosion.

Eg Iron ore, manganese Eg. Copper, buaxite

Q Why government has decided to relocate the entire township-Jharia?

∙ Because of the uncontrollable spread of underground fires that have been burning for years in the
coal belt?
COAL FIRE CATASTROPHE(DISASTER)-WHY?
 Q
Which minerals are used in our toothpaste?

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NOTE: [READ THE CHAPTER THOROUGHLY INCLUDING ALL THE
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SOLVE QUESTIONS FROMM ASSIGNMENT BOOKLET MAP WORK AS PER THE
CBSE LIST/REF CURRICULUM 2022-23

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