MINERALS AND ENERGY RESOURCE

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What is a Mineral?

• Minerals are naturally occurring substances with a unique internal structure.
• They come in a wide range, from super hard minerals like diamonds to very soft ones like talcum powder.
• Think of minerals as the basic building blocks of rocks, just like ingredients are the building blocks of a cake.
• Rocks are made by combining different minerals, creating a mix of these natural ingredients.

Occurrence of Minerals

• Ores and Minerals: Minerals are often found within ores, which are accumulations of minerals mixed with other elements.
• Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks: In these types of rocks, minerals are commonly found in cracks, crevices, faults, or joints. It’s like they’re tucked away in the rock’s nooks and crannies.
• Sedimentary Rocks: Minerals can be present in sedimentary rocks, often in layers or beds. Imagine these layers as nature’s history book, with each layer telling a different story.
• Decomposition and Removal: Some minerals form through the decomposition of surface rocks and the removal of soluble components. It’s like nature recycling and creating something new.   Alluvial Deposits: Minerals can be found in the sands of valley floors and at the base of hills, like hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.      Ocean Waters: Don’t forget, even the vast oceans contain a wealth of minerals, which can be extracted for various uses.

Metallic Minerals

• What Are Metallic Minerals?: Metallic minerals are minerals that contain metals in their chemical composition.
• Common Types:
  • Ferrous Minerals: These contain iron, such as iron ore used for making steel.
  • Non-Ferrous Minerals: They lack iron and include metals like copper, aluminum, and lead.
  • Precious Metals: These are valuable metals like gold, silver, and platinum often used in jewelry and currency.
• Industrial Uses: Metallic minerals are vital for industries, from construction to electronics and transportation.
• Extraction: They are typically extracted through mining and refining processes.

Non-Metallic Minerals

• Nature of Non-Metallic Minerals: Non-metallic minerals do not contain metal elements in their chemical composition.     
•  Variety: They are diverse and include minerals like quartz, limestone, gypsum, and salt.         
•  Common Uses: Non-metallic minerals have a wide range of uses, including construction (limestone for buildings), agriculture (fertilizers), and industry (salt for chemical processes).      
• Extraction: They are typically extracted through methods like quarrying and solution mining.   
• Economic Importance: Non-metallic minerals are essential for various sectors, contributing to construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Energy Minerals

• Definition: Energy minerals are natural resources used to generate energy, including electricity and heat.
• Common Types:
  • Coal: Used for power generation and heating.
  • Oil and Natural Gas: these are Used for transportation, electricity, and heating.
  • Uranium: Used for nuclear power generation.
  • Economic Uses: These minerals are vital for various industries and energy production, driving economies by powering homes, industries, and transportation.

Iron Ore

• Abundant Resources: India is blessed with significant iron ore resources, making it a prominent player in the global iron and steel industry. 
• Types of Iron Ore:
  • Magnetite: Known for its exceptional iron content, often reaching up to 70%. It also possesses strong magnetic properties, making it valuable for various applications.
  • Hematite: This type is a key industrial iron ore with iron content ranging from 50 to 60%. It’s widely used in steel production.

Iron Ore Belts

• Odisha-Jharkhand Belt: This belt, located in eastern India, is a major hub for iron ore production. This belt yields both hematite and magnetite iron ore. Hematite is the predominant type found in this region.
• Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt: Situated in central India, it’s another significant iron ore-producing region. The Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt primarily produces hematite iron ore.
• Ballari-Chitradurga-Chikkamagaluru-Tumakuru Belt: This belt is located in the southern part of India and contributes to the nation’s iron ore production. Hematite iron ore is the primary type extracted from this southern belt.
• Maharashtra-Goa Belt: Found along India’s western coast, this belt is known for its iron ore deposits. The iron ore in this region is mainly hematite.

Manganese and It’s Uses

• Industrial Significance: Manganese is a crucial industrial metal used in steel production and other applications.   
•  Steel Enhancement: It plays a vital role in steelmaking as a deoxidizer and desulfurizer, with approximately 10 kilograms needed to produce 1 tonne of steel.             
• Diverse Applications: Manganese is not limited to steel; it’s used in making bleaching powder, insecticides, and paints. 
• Electrolytic Manganese: A high-purity form of manganese is used in dry cell batteries, showcasing its versatility in different industries.

Manganese

• Key Industrial Usage: Manganese is a vital industrial metal with primary applications in the production of steel and ferro-manganese alloy.
• Steel Enhancement: Approximately 10 kilograms of manganese are necessary to manufacture one tonne of steel, where it acts as a deoxidizer and desulfurizer, improving steel quality.
• Diverse Industrial Applications: Beyond steel, manganese plays roles in the manufacturing of bleaching powder, insecticides, and paints, contributing to various industries.
• Indian Reserves: India boasts significant manganese reserves, primarily found in states like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra, making it a valuable resource for domestic and international industries.

Non-Ferrous Minerals

• Types: Non-ferrous minerals include various metals, including copper, bauxite, lead, zinc, and gold, each with its distinct properties and uses.
• Industrial Significance: These minerals are essential for metallurgical, engineering, and electrical industries, where they contribute to a wide range of applications.

Copper

• Unique Properties: Copper is a malleable and ductile metal with excellent heat and electricity conduction properties, making it a versatile material.
• Industrial Uses: Copper is primarily used in electrical cables, electronics, and chemical industries, where its conductivity is invaluable.
• Leading Producers in India:
  • Balaghat Mines, Madhya Pradesh: Known for their copper production, these mines are situated in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Khetri Mines, Rajasthan: These mines in Rajasthan also play a significant role in copper mining.
  • Singhbhum District, Jharkhand: The Singhbhum district of Jharkhand is another prominent copper-producing region in India.

Bauxite

• Origin of Bauxite Deposits: Bauxite deposits are a result of the decomposition of a wide range of rocks containing aluminum silicates. This natural process over time gives rise to bauxite.
• Aluminium Production: Bauxite is the primary source of aluminum, a metal known for its excellent conductivity and remarkable malleability, making it versatile for various applications.
• Locations in India:
  • Amarkantak Plateau: Bauxite deposits can be found in the Amarkantak plateau, which is situated in the central part of India.
  • Maikal Hills: The Maikal hills region is another area where significant bauxite deposits are present.
  • Bilaspur-Katni Plateau: The plateau region of Bilaspur-Katni is also known for hosting bauxite deposits.

Mica

• Mica is a mineral composed of thin, flat plates or leaves. It possesses the exceptional property of splitting easily into incredibly thin sheets.
• Versatile Color Range: Mica can display a variety of colors, including clear, black, green, red, yellow, and brown, adding to its aesthetic versatility.
• Electrical and Electronic Industry: Mica is highly valued in the electric and electronic industries due to its outstanding dielectric strength, low power loss factor, insulating properties, and resistance to high voltage. It’s considered indispensable for various applications in these sectors.

Mica:Distribution

• Chota Nagpur Plateau: Mica deposits are primarily found in the northern edge of the Chota Nagpur plateau, a significant mica-producing region.
• Leading Producer: The Koderma-Gaya-Hazaribagh belt in Jharkhand is the leading producer of mica in India.
• Rajasthan: In Rajasthan, mica is also produced in substantial quantities, particularly in areas around Ajmer.
• Andhra Pradesh: The Nellore mica belt in Andhra Pradesh is another important contributor to mica production in the country.

Limestone

• Geological Association: Limestone is typically found in association with rocks composed of calcium carbonates or a mixture of calcium and magnesium carbonates. It’s a common occurrence in sedimentary rocks within various geological formations.
• Cement Industry Backbone: Limestone serves as the fundamental raw material for the cement industry. It is a crucial ingredient in the production of cement, a building material widely used in construction.
• Importance in Iron Smelting: Limestone plays an essential role in the smelting of iron ore in blast furnaces. It is used as a flux to remove impurities and facilitate the separation of iron from its ores during the smelting process.

Mining Hazards

• Mining is undoubtedly essential for our modern lifestyles, providing the raw materials we rely on. However, it’s crucial to recognize the significant hazards it poses. Miners work tirelessly to extract these resources, often facing health risks from inhaling dust and noxious fumes, making them susceptible to pulmonary diseases. Furthermore, the constant threat of mine roof collapses, inundation, and fires in coal mines puts their lives at risk daily. Mining can also have severe environmental consequences, as it leads to the contamination of water sources and the degradation of land and soil due to the dumping of waste and slurry, increasing stream and river pollution. Balancing the benefits of mining with the need for safety and environmental responsibility is a critical challenge in this industry.

Conservation of Minerals

• Significance of Minerals: Industries and agriculture heavily rely on minerals and the products derived from them, showcasing their vital role in modern society.
• Limited Availability: Only about one percent of the Earth’s crust contains workable mineral deposits, making these resources scarce in the grand scheme of our planet.
• Finite and Non-Renewable: Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable; they were formed over millions of years and can’t be replenished at the same rate they are consumed. 
• Depletion and Increasing Costs: The continued extraction of ores from greater depths and lower-quality deposits leads to increased costs, making the industry less economically viable.
• Sustainable Practices: It is imperative to manage and utilize mineral resources sustainably, considering the finite nature of these valuable possessions.
• Technological Advancements: Developing and adopting improved technologies is essential to efficiently use lower-grade ores and reduce costs in mineral extraction.
• Recycling and Substitutes: The conservation of mineral resources for the future involves recycling metals, utilizing scrap metals, and exploring substitutes to reduce reliance on virgin resources.

Energy Resources

• Energy resources encompass various options, including fossil fuels and renewables.
• Nuclear energy presents low-carbon power but has safety and waste challenges.
• Sustainable practices involve resource conservation and emission reduction.
• Fossil fuels are the traditional sources but raise environmental concerns.
• The global shift is towards cleaner, sustainable energy sources.
• Renewables like wind, solar, and hydro are gaining importance for sustainability.
• Ongoing research and technology advancements enhance energy efficiency.

Types of Energy Resources

• Conventional Sources:
  • Conventional sources of energy are those that have been traditionally used for a long time. 
• Non-Conventional Sources:
  • Non-conventional sources of energy are emerging, sustainable options that are gaining importance

Coal

• Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in India, playing a crucial role in meeting the nation’s energy needs.
• It is used for power generation, supplying energy to industries, and fulfilling domestic energy requirements.
• India heavily relies on coal to meet its commercial energy demands.
• Coal occurs in various forms, with properties depending on the depth, time of burial, and degree of compression.
• Major coal resources are found in Gondwana and tertiary deposits, with significant metallurgical coal reserves in the Damodar Valley, Jharia, Raniganj, and Bokaro coalfields.

Types of Coal

• Peat: Peat is an early stage of coal formation and is found in swamps. It has low carbon content, high moisture, and limited heating capacity.
• Lignite: Lignite is a low-grade brown coal with soft texture and high moisture content. It’s used for electricity generation in some regions.
• Bituminous Coal: Bituminous coal results from deeper burial and higher temperatures. It’s the most commonly used coal in various commercial applications.
• Metallurgical Coal: This is high-grade bituminous coal with special value for smelting iron in blast furnaces, used in the steelmaking process.
• Anthracite: Anthracite is the highest quality hard coal with high carbon content and superior heating capacity.

Petroleum

• Petroleum is a significant energy source in India, serving as a fuel for heat, lighting, lubricants, and raw materials for various industries.
• Petroleum refineries play a crucial role in supporting synthetic textile, fertilizer, and chemical industries.
• Most petroleum occurrences in India are associated with anticlines and fault traps in tertiary rock formations.
• These oil deposits are often found in porous limestone or sandstone layers, trapped by intervening non-porous layers.
• Major petroleum production areas in India include Mumbai High, Gujarat, and Assam, with notable oil fields like Ankleshwar, Digboi, Naharkatiya, and Moran-Hugrijan.

Natural Gas

• Natural gas is often found alongside petroleum deposits and is released when crude oil is extracted. It serves as a versatile energy source.
• It has diverse uses, including as a domestic and industrial fuel, for electricity generation, industrial heating, and as a raw material in chemical, petrochemical, and fertilizer industries.
• Natural gas is also used for transportation and cooking, with the expansion of city gas distribution networks introducing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for households.
• Major gas reserves in India are found in locations like Mumbai High, the Cambay basin, and the Krishna-Godavari basin.
• India’s gas infrastructure has significantly expanded, with a vast network of cross-country pipelines, fostering the development of the Indian gas market.

Major Gas Pipelines of India

• Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur (HVJ) Pipeline: This 1,700 km long cross-country gas pipeline, constructed by GAIL (India), links the Mumbai High and Bassein gas fields with various fertilizer, power, and industrial complexes in western and northern India. It has been a significant contributor to the development of the Indian gas market.
• Dabhol-Bangalore Pipeline (DBPL): This pipeline, also operated by GAIL (India), spans approximately 1,000 kilometers. It connects the Dabhol LNG terminal in Maharashtra to Bangalore in Karnataka, supplying natural gas to various industries and power plants in the region.
• Krishnapatnam-Ongole Pipeline: This pipeline, operated by GAIL, connects Krishnapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh to Ongole, facilitating the transportation of natural gas for industrial and commercial use.
• Dahej-Uran Pipeline: This pipeline links the Dahej LNG terminal in Gujarat to Uran in Maharashtra, serving as a crucial component of the gas distribution network in western India.
• Kochi-Koottanad-Bengaluru-Mangaluru Pipeline: This pipeline connects the Kochi LNG terminal to various locations, including Koottanad, Bengaluru, and Mangaluru, enabling the distribution of natural gas in southern India.
• East-West Gas Pipeline (EWPL): Planned as a major cross-country gas pipeline, EWPL aims to connect the eastern and western parts of India, enhancing gas availability in the region.

Electricity

• Electricity is a vital measure of a country’s development, with per capita consumption often used as an indicator.
• In India, electricity is primarily generated through two methods: hydroelectric power, using fast-flowing water, and thermal power, produced by burning non-renewable fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
• Hydroelectric power utilizes renewable resources and is harnessed through projects like Bhakra Nangal, Damodar Valley Corporation, and Kopili Hydel Project.
• Thermal power stations rely on non-renewable fossil fuels to generate electricity, making them a non-sustainable energy source.
• Regardless of the method, once generated, electricity is the same and serves a wide range of applications in modern society.

Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear or atomic energy is harnessed by altering the structure of atoms, resulting in the release of significant heat energy, which is utilized for generating electricity.
• Uranium and Thorium are the primary elements used for generating atomic or nuclear power in India, with deposits found in Jharkhand and the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan.
• Thorium, which is available in the Monazite sands of Kerala, is also a valuable resource for nuclear energy production.
• Nuclear power plants play a crucial role in India’s energy mix, providing a stable and low-carbon source of electricity.
• The controlled release of energy from atomic reactions has the potential to meet increasing energy demands and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making it an important component of India’s energy future.

Solar Energy

• India, as a tropical country, has significant potential for harnessing solar energy, given its abundant sunlight.
• Photovoltaic technology is employed to directly convert sunlight into electricity, making solar energy an increasingly popular and clean energy source.
• Solar power is being adopted rapidly in rural and remote areas of India, providing access to electricity where traditional power sources are limited.
• Large-scale solar power plants are being established across the country, reducing the reliance of rural households on traditional fuels like firewood and dung cakes.
• This shift to solar energy not only enhances environmental conservation but also ensures a more consistent supply of organic manure for agriculture, contributing to sustainable farming practices.

Wind Energy

• India has substantial wind power potential due to its geographical location and wind patterns.
• The largest cluster of wind farms in India is located in Tamil Nadu, spanning from Nagercoil to Madurai.
• Other states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Lakshadweep also host significant wind farms.
• Wind power, particularly in regions like Nagercoil and Jaisalmer, plays a vital role in India’s renewable energy landscape.

Biogas

• Biogas is produced from organic matter, including shrubs, farm waste, and animal and human waste. It is an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuels.
• Biogas plants are set up at various levels, including individual and cooperative, and those using cattle dung are known as ‘Gobar gas plants.’ They benefit farmers by providing energy and improving manure quality.
• India has geothermal energy potential, with regions experiencing high temperatures at shallow depths. This heat is harnessed to generate electricity, with experimental projects in the Parvati valley (Himachal Pradesh) and Puga Valley (Ladakh).
• Energy conservation and the use of renewable energy sources are essential for India’s sustainable energy development, given the increasing energy demand and the need to improve energy efficiency.

Tidal Energy

• Tidal energy is generated by utilizing oceanic tides to produce electricity. Floodgate dams are constructed across inlets to capture the incoming high tide waters.
• When the tide rises, water enters the inlet and is trapped when the gate is closed. After the tide recedes, the stored water flows back to the sea through a power-generating turbine via a pipe.
• In India, ideal conditions for harnessing tidal energy are found in specific regions, including the Gulf of Khambhat, the Gulf of Kachchh in Gujarat on the western coast, and the Gangetic delta in the Sunderban regions of West Bengal.
• These regions provide opportunities to tap into the renewable energy potential of tidal power, contributing to India’s sustainable energy mix.

Geothermal Energy

• Geothermal energy is derived from the heat within the Earth’s interior. The Earth’s temperature increases with depth, creating a geothermal gradient. In areas with a high geothermal gradient, high temperatures are found at shallow depths.
• Groundwater in regions with a high geothermal gradient absorbs heat from the rocks, becoming hot. When this hot water rises to the Earth’s surface, it turns into steam.
• This steam is effectively utilized to drive turbines, generating electricity. India possesses several hundred hot springs, offering the potential to harness geothermal energy for power production.
• India has initiated two experimental projects to tap into geothermal energy. One project is situated in the Parvati valley near Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh, and the other is located in the Puga Valley in Ladakh.

Conservation of Energy Resources

• Energy is a fundamental necessity for economic development, required across all sectors of the national economy, including agriculture, industry, transportation, commerce, and households.
• Over the years, energy consumption in India has steadily increased due to the implementation of economic development plans. As a result, there is a growing demand for various forms of energy throughout the country.
• To ensure sustainable energy development, there is an urgent need for a balanced approach that promotes energy conservation and emphasizes the use of renewable energy sources.
• India faces challenges in energy efficiency and is currently one of the least energy-efficient countries globally, highlighting the importance of improving energy utilization.
• Individuals can contribute to energy conservation by using public transportation instead of private vehicles, practicing responsible electricity usage, adopting power-saving devices, and utilizing non-conventional energy sources.
• A key principle is that saving energy is equivalent to generating energy, emphasizing the importance of judicious energy use.