Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 ||Geography|| Chapter 5 NCERT Notes
Introduction:
Minerals and energy resources are vital to the economy of any country. Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances that have a definite chemical composition, and they play a key role in industrial development. Energy resources, on the other hand, are essential for running industries, agriculture, and transportation systems. This chapter provides a detailed understanding of the types, distribution, and conservation of minerals and energy resources in India.
Minerals
Types of Minerals:
Metallic Minerals:
These minerals contain metals in raw form. They can be further divided into:
- Ferrous Minerals: Contain iron (e.g., iron ore, manganese).
- Non-Ferrous Minerals: Do not contain iron but may contain other metals like gold, silver, copper, etc.
Non-Metallic Minerals:
These minerals do not contain metals. Examples include mica, limestone, and gypsum.
Energy Minerals:
Minerals that provide energy (e.g., coal, petroleum, and natural gas).
Metallic Minerals:
These minerals contain metals in raw form. They can be further divided into:
- Ferrous Minerals: Contain iron (e.g., iron ore, manganese).
- Non-Ferrous Minerals: Do not contain iron but may contain other metals like gold, silver, copper, etc.
Non-Metallic Minerals:
These minerals do not contain metals. Examples include mica, limestone, and gypsum.
Energy Minerals:
Minerals that provide energy (e.g., coal, petroleum, and natural gas).
Mode of Occurrence of Minerals:
Minerals occur in different types of geological environments and are extracted through mining. They are found in:
- Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks: Minerals like tin, copper, zinc, and lead are found in veins and lodes.
- Sedimentary Rocks: Limestone, coal, gypsum, and phosphate are found in these rocks.
- Alluvial Deposits: Minerals like gold, silver, tin, and platinum are found in the river beds.
Distribution of Minerals in India:
Ferrous Minerals:
India has abundant reserves of iron ore. The major iron ore belts are:
- Odisha-Jharkhand Belt: Major mines in this region include Gua, Noamundi, and Badampahar.
- Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt: Found in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
- Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmaglur-Tumkur Belt: Located in Karnataka.
- Maharashtra-Goa Belt: Located in western India.
Manganese:
Manganese is used in the manufacture of steel. Major reserves are found in Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Goa.
Non-Ferrous Minerals:
These include minerals like copper, bauxite (aluminium ore), lead, and zinc. India is deficient in non-ferrous minerals:
- Copper: Found in the Khetri mines in Rajasthan, Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
- Bauxite: Odisha is the largest bauxite-producing state. Other deposits are in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.
Non-Metallic Minerals:
- Limestone: Found in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. It is used in cement and steel industries.
- Mica: India is one of the largest producers of mica. It is found in the Koderma-Gaya-Hazaribagh belt in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Ferrous Minerals:
India has abundant reserves of iron ore. The major iron ore belts are:
- Odisha-Jharkhand Belt: Major mines in this region include Gua, Noamundi, and Badampahar.
- Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt: Found in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
- Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmaglur-Tumkur Belt: Located in Karnataka.
- Maharashtra-Goa Belt: Located in western India.
Manganese:
Manganese is used in the manufacture of steel. Major reserves are found in Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Goa.
Non-Ferrous Minerals:
These include minerals like copper, bauxite (aluminium ore), lead, and zinc. India is deficient in non-ferrous minerals:
- Copper: Found in the Khetri mines in Rajasthan, Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
- Bauxite: Odisha is the largest bauxite-producing state. Other deposits are in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.
Non-Metallic Minerals:
- Limestone: Found in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. It is used in cement and steel industries.
- Mica: India is one of the largest producers of mica. It is found in the Koderma-Gaya-Hazaribagh belt in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Energy Resources
Conventional Sources of Energy:
Coal:
Coal is the most important and abundant fossil fuel in India. It is used for power generation, industry, and transport. There are four types of coal:
- Anthracite: Highest quality, found in limited quantity in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Bituminous: Used extensively in industries; found in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha.
- Lignite: Low-grade coal found in Tamil Nadu (Neyveli).
- Peat: Poor-quality coal with high moisture content.
The major coalfields are located in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh.
Petroleum:
Petroleum is used as fuel and as a raw material in various industries. The main petroleum-producing regions are:
- Mumbai High: Offshore oil field.
- Gujarat: Ankaleshwar, Cambay.
- Assam: Digboi, Naharkatiya, and Moran-Hugrijan fields.
Natural Gas:
Natural gas is used for power generation, as industrial fuel, and as a raw material in the petrochemical industry. Major natural gas reserves are found in Mumbai High, Krishna-Godavari basin, and Assam.
Electricity:
Electricity generation is crucial for running industries, infrastructure, and homes. India generates electricity from thermal, hydro, and nuclear power:
- Thermal Power: Uses coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
- Hydel Power: Generated by harnessing the power of water. Major dams include Bhakra Nangal, Hirakud, and Damodar Valley dams.
- Nuclear Power: India uses uranium and thorium for generating nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants are located in Kalpakkam, Tarapur, and Rawatbhata.
Coal:
Coal is the most important and abundant fossil fuel in India. It is used for power generation, industry, and transport. There are four types of coal:
- Anthracite: Highest quality, found in limited quantity in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Bituminous: Used extensively in industries; found in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha.
- Lignite: Low-grade coal found in Tamil Nadu (Neyveli).
- Peat: Poor-quality coal with high moisture content.
The major coalfields are located in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh.
Petroleum:
Petroleum is used as fuel and as a raw material in various industries. The main petroleum-producing regions are:
- Mumbai High: Offshore oil field.
- Gujarat: Ankaleshwar, Cambay.
- Assam: Digboi, Naharkatiya, and Moran-Hugrijan fields.
Natural Gas:
Natural gas is used for power generation, as industrial fuel, and as a raw material in the petrochemical industry. Major natural gas reserves are found in Mumbai High, Krishna-Godavari basin, and Assam.
Electricity:
Electricity generation is crucial for running industries, infrastructure, and homes. India generates electricity from thermal, hydro, and nuclear power:
- Thermal Power: Uses coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
- Hydel Power: Generated by harnessing the power of water. Major dams include Bhakra Nangal, Hirakud, and Damodar Valley dams.
- Nuclear Power: India uses uranium and thorium for generating nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants are located in Kalpakkam, Tarapur, and Rawatbhata.
Non-Conventional Sources of Energy:
Solar Energy:
India receives ample sunlight, making solar energy a viable option. Solar panels are used to harness this energy, and it is growing rapidly in use in homes, industries, and agriculture.
Wind Energy:
Wind energy is generated using wind turbines. The largest wind energy farm in India is located in Tamil Nadu (Muppandal). Other major wind energy states include Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
Biogas:
Biogas is produced from organic waste such as animal dung, agricultural waste, and kitchen waste. It is a popular source of rural energy for cooking and lighting.
Tidal Energy:
Energy is generated by harnessing the power of tides. This is still in its experimental stage in India.
Geothermal Energy:
This energy is derived from the heat stored in the earth. Experimental projects are underway in places like Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh and Puga Valley in Ladakh.
Solar Energy:
India receives ample sunlight, making solar energy a viable option. Solar panels are used to harness this energy, and it is growing rapidly in use in homes, industries, and agriculture.
Wind Energy:
Wind energy is generated using wind turbines. The largest wind energy farm in India is located in Tamil Nadu (Muppandal). Other major wind energy states include Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
Biogas:
Biogas is produced from organic waste such as animal dung, agricultural waste, and kitchen waste. It is a popular source of rural energy for cooking and lighting.
Tidal Energy:
Energy is generated by harnessing the power of tides. This is still in its experimental stage in India.
Geothermal Energy:
This energy is derived from the heat stored in the earth. Experimental projects are underway in places like Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh and Puga Valley in Ladakh.
Conservation of Minerals and Energy Resources:
Need for Conservation:
Minerals are finite and non-renewable resources. Once exhausted, they cannot be replenished. Similarly, fossil fuels like coal and petroleum are non-renewable and cause environmental pollution when used.
Ways to Conserve:
- Efficient use of resources and minimization of wastage.
- Recycling of metals like aluminum and copper.
- Using renewable energy resources like solar, wind, and biogas.
- Encouraging energy-efficient practices in industries and homes.
Need for Conservation:
Minerals are finite and non-renewable resources. Once exhausted, they cannot be replenished. Similarly, fossil fuels like coal and petroleum are non-renewable and cause environmental pollution when used.
Ways to Conserve:
- Efficient use of resources and minimization of wastage.
- Recycling of metals like aluminum and copper.
- Using renewable energy resources like solar, wind, and biogas.
- Encouraging energy-efficient practices in industries and homes.
Conclusion:
Minerals and energy resources play a pivotal role in the development of a country. While India is rich in certain minerals like iron ore and coal, it is deficient in others such as petroleum and non-ferrous metals. It is crucial to conserve these resources for sustainable development by adopting efficient usage, recycling, and shifting towards renewable energy sources.