Minerals and Energy Resources

Class 10 Geography � Chapter 05

1. Mode of Occurrence of Minerals

Minerals are usually found in 'Ores'. (Ore = Accumulation of any mineral mixed with other elements).

Igneous/Metamorphic rocks: In cracks, crevices, faults (Veins and Lodes). E.g., Tin, Copper, Zinc, Lead.
Sedimentary rocks: In beds or layers. (Deposition/Accumulation). E.g., Coal, Iron ore, Gypsum, Potash salt.
Decomposition of surface rocks: Removal of soluble constituents leaving residual mass. E.g., Bauxite.
Alluvial Deposits (Placer deposits): Sands of valley floors. Not corroded by water. E.g., Gold, Silver, Platinum.
Ocean waters: Common salt, Magnesium, Bromine. (Manganese nodules in ocean bed).

Rat-Hole Mining: In Jowai and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya), mining is done by family members in form of a long narrow tunnel. (Declared illegal by NGT).

2. Classification of Minerals

A. Ferrous Minerals (Contain Iron)

Iron Ore: Backbone of industrial development.
- Magnetite (70% Fe): Finest quality. Magnetic.
- Hematite (50-60% Fe): Most important industrial ore.
- Belts: Odisha-Jharkhand, Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur (Chhattisgarh), Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmagalur-Tumkur (Karnataka - Kudremukh), Maharashtra-Goa.
Manganese: Used in manufacturing steel (10kg for 1 tonne steel) and ferro-manganese alloy. Also for bleaching powder, insecticides, paints. (Odisha is largest producer).

B. Non-Ferrous Minerals

Copper: Malleable, Ductile, Good conductor. Used in electrical cables, electronics. (Balaghat MP, Khetri Rajasthan, Singhbhum Jharkhand).
Bauxite: Ore of Aluminium. Light, conductive, great malleability. (Odisha is largest producer - Panchpatmali deposits).

C. Non-Metallic Minerals

Mica: Excellent di-electric strength, low power loss factor. Indispensable for electric/electronic industries. (Koderma-Gaya-Hazaribagh belt of Jharkhand, Ajmer Rajasthan, Nellore AP).
Limestone: Calcium Carbonate. Basic raw material for Cement industry. Smelting iron ore.

3. Energy Resources

Conventional Sources

Coal: Most abundantly available fossil fuel.
- Anthracite: Highest quality hard coal.
- Bituminous: Most popular commercial coal. High heat.
- Lignite: Low grade brown coal. High moisture. (Neyveli, TN).
- Peat: Low carbon, high moisture.
Petroleum: Found in anticlines/fault traps. Mumbai High (63%), Gujarat (18%), Assam (Digboi - oldest).
Natural Gas: Clean energy (Low CO2). Found in KG basin, Mumbai High, Cambay. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) used in vehicles.
Electricity: Thermal (Coal/Gas/Oil) and Hydro (Water).

Non-Conventional Sources (Renewable)

Nuclear/Atomic Energy: Altering structure of atoms (Uranium/Thorium). Monazite sands of Kerala richness in Thorium.
Solar Energy: Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight to electricity. Huge potential in Rajasthan.
Wind Power: Largest wind farm cluster in Tamil Nadu (Nagercoil to Madurai). Also Jaisalmer.
Biogas: Shrubs/Farm waste/Animal waste (Gobar gas plants). High thermal efficiency.
Tidal Energy: Oceanic tides. Gulf of Khambhat/Kutch/Sundarbans.
Geothermal Energy: Heat from interior of earth. Parvati Valley (Manikaran HP), Puga Valley (Ladakh).

CONSERVATION OF ENERGY "Energy saved is energy produced." 1. Use public transport. 2. Switch off lights when not in use. 3. Use power saving devices (LEDs). 4. Use non-conventional sources.

[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: MINERAL MAPS]

Two Maps of India: 1. Minerals: Iron Ore mines (Mayurbhanj, Durg, Bailadila, Bellary, Kudremukh), Coal mines (Raniganj, Bokaro, Talcher, Neyveli), Oil Fields (Digboi, Naharkatiya, Mumbai High, Kalol). 2. Power Plants: Thermal (Namrup, Singrauli, Ramagundam), Nuclear (Narora, Kakrapara, Tarapur, Kalpakkam).