Resources – Minerals

Minerals are naturally occurring substances with specific physical properties and chemical compositions. They are fundamental to the economic development of any country. India is richly endowed with various minerals, which are concentrated in specific regions across the nation.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand mineral distribution and mineral belts in India.
2. Grasp the details of the National Mineral Policy 2019.
3. Identify different types of minerals and their key extraction regions.
4. Comprehend energy resources and their categorization.
5. Evaluate land and water resource management in India.

Mineral Belts of India

Mineral and energy resources are critical raw materials for various uses. India is divided into several mineral belts based on the distribution and types of minerals found:

Mineral Belts and Locations:

1. North-Eastern Peninsular Belt:

• Location: Chota Nagpur plateau, Odisha plateau (Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha).
• Minerals: Coal, iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, copper, chromite, kyanite, beryl.
• Significance: Known as India’s mineral heartland, contributing 100% of kyanite, 93% of iron ore, 84% of coal, and substantial percentages of other minerals.

1. Central Belt:

• Location: Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra.
• Minerals: Manganese, bauxite, uranium, limestone, marble, coal, mica, gems.
• Note: The second-largest mineral belt.

1. Southern Belt:

• Location: Karnataka plateau, Tamil Nadu.
• Minerals: Ferrous minerals, bauxite, gold, chromite, lead, zinc, ilmenite.

1. South-Western Belt:

• Location: Karnataka, Kerala, Goa.
• Minerals: Iron ore, garnet, monazite sand, clay, soapstone.

1. North-Western Belt:

• Location: Rajasthan, Gujarat (Aravalli range).
• Minerals: Non-ferrous minerals, uranium, mica, aquamarine, petroleum, gypsum.

Important Note: Over 90% of India’s mineral wealth is concentrated in the Chota Nagpur plateau region.

National Mineral Policy 2019

The policy aims to boost the mining sector by introducing reforms and enhancing private sector participation:

1. Right of First Refusal: Granted to Reconnaissance Permit (RP) / Prospecting License (PL) holders.
2. Private Sector Encouragement: Promotion of exploration and mining activities.
3. Merger and Acquisition: Facilitation of mergers and acquisitions within mining entities.
4. Dedicated Mineral Corridors: Established to boost private sector mining.
5. Industry Status: Recognizing mining activity as an industry to enhance financing.
6. Rationalization of Reserved Areas: Unused Public Sector Unit (PSU) areas to be auctioned for private participation.
7. Harmonization of Taxes: Efforts to align taxes, levies, and royalties with global benchmarks.

Distribution of Minerals

Iron:

1. Reserves: About 80% is haematite; India is the fourth-largest iron ore producer globally.
2. Key Regions: Odisha (Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh), Jharkhand (Singhbhum), Chhattisgarh (Bailadila), Karnataka (Bellary, Chikmagalur).

Manganese:

1. Occurrence: Found mainly in the Dharwar rock system.
2. Regions: Odisha (Keonjhar, Koraput), Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat, Chhindwara), Maharashtra (Nagpur, Bhandara), Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam), Rajasthan (Udaipur, Banswara).

Copper:

1. Key Regions: Jharkhand (Singhbhum), Rajasthan (Jhunjhunu, Bhilwara, Udaipur), Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat), Andhra Pradesh (Guntur, Nellore).

Bauxite:

1. Extraction: Primary ore for aluminum.
2. Major Regions: Jharkhand (Ranchi, Palamau), Chhattisgarh (Surguja, Bastar), Maharashtra (Kolaba, Thane), Karnataka (Belgaum).

Chromite:

1. Largest Producer: Odisha (90% production).
2. Regions: Karnataka (Chitradurga, Hassan), Maharashtra (Ratnagiri), Jharkhand (Singhbhum).

Diamond:

1. Key State: Madhya Pradesh (Panna, Satna).
2. Other Regions: Karnataka (Raichur), Andhra Pradesh (Anantapur).

Mica:

1. Insulating Mineral: Major producer globally.
2. Key States: Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan.

Gypsum:

1. Usage: Fertilizers, cement.
2. Largest Producer: Rajasthan (Hanumangarh).

Uranium:

1. Major Source: Jaduguda, Jharkhand.
2. Other Regions: Andhra Pradesh (Nellore), Rajasthan (Jaipur).

Important Note: India has the world’s largest thorium reserves, potentially offering a long-term solution for power needs.

Energy Resources

India’s energy resources are classified into conventional and non-conventional sources. Emphasis on renewable energy is increasing.

Conventional Resources:

1. Coal:

• Types: Gondwana (98% reserves), Tertiary.
• Key Fields: Jharkhand (Jhariya, Bokaro), Odisha (Talcher), West Bengal (Raniganj).

1. Petroleum:

• Regions: Assam (Digboi, Naharkatiya), Gujarat (Ankleshwar, Gulf of Khambhat), Mumbai High (offshore extraction).
• Refineries: 22 in total (17 public, 3 private, 2 joint ventures).

1. Natural Gas:

• Producers: ONGC, OIL, various JVs.
• Reserves: Bombay High, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh coast (Krishna-Godavari).

Non-Conventional Resources:

1. Wind Energy:

• Capacity: 36,625 MW.
• Largest Farms: Muppandal (Tamil Nadu), Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).

1. Solar Energy:

• Potential: 5000 trillion kWh/year.
• Key Areas: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Ladakh.
• Projects: Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, Asia’s largest solar park (Charanka, Gujarat).

1. Biomass:

• Sources: Animal dung, agricultural residues, city waste.
• Significance: Provides clean energy, enhances rural sanitation.

1. Ocean Energy:

• Sites: Gulf of Cambay, Gulf of Kachchh.
• Challenges: High costs in construction and energy output fluctuations.

1. Geothermal Energy:

• Potential: 600 MW (equivalent to 5130 million tonnes of coal).
• Hot Springs: Puga valley (Jammu & Kashmir), Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh).

Land Resources in India

India has varied land resources, including mountains, plains, plateaus, and wastelands. Utilization is categorized as:

1. Forest Land: 23.05%.
2. Cultivable Land: 46.2%.
3. Wasteland: Approximately 15% of the total geographical area.

Important Note: Challenges include conversion of agricultural land to industrial estates, lack of strict land-use planning, and rapid land degradation due to salinization.

Water Resources in India

India’s annual water availability is estimated at 1869 BCM. Key water resources include:

1. Surface Water: 83% of drainage through 14 major river systems.
2. Groundwater: Abundant in northern plains.
3. Rainwater: India receives about 3 trillion cubic meters, though only 10% is utilized.

Important Note: The National Perspective Plan (NPP) includes the Himalayan and Peninsular River Development for water resource management.

Comparative Table: Conventional vs. Non-Conventional Energy Resources

Aspect	Conventional	Non-Conventional
Types	Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas	Solar, Wind, Biomass, Ocean, Geothermal
Renewability	Non-renewable	Renewable
Environmental Impact	Ecologically hazardous	Environment-friendly
Current Capacity	Limited by reserves	Expanding through new technologies
Main Regions	Specific belts (e.g., Gondwana for coal)	Solar-rich areas, coastal and windy regions

One Multiple Choice Question

Q: Which mineral belt in India is known as the “mineral heartland” due to its high concentration of minerals?
a) Southern Belt
b) Central Belt

c) North-Eastern Peninsular Belt
d) North-Western Belt
Answer: c) North-Eastern Peninsular Belt.