India is one of the richest countries in mineral resources in the world. Minerals are substances of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties. Mineral resources can be derived from natural resources which are in the form of minerals. It includes some metal ores like copper, iron,  lead, platinum, chromium etc. Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic, solid, crystalline substances which contain a specific composition of elements. A mineral that can be extracted and processed at a profit, is known as an ore. Mineral resources are classified into three categories.

Classification of Mineral Resources:

Minerals are classified into three categories:

  • Metallic minerals

Metallic minerals are those which are the sources of metals and are hard in texture. These are further divided into three categories.

1. Ferrous metallic minerals

Ferrous minerals are those metallic minerals that contain the iron content 

Example:- Iron ore, Manganese, Nickel and Cobalt

2. Non-Ferrous metallic minerals

Non-Ferrous minerals are those metallic minerals that do not have iron content.

Example:- Copper, lead and tin

3. Precious metallic minerals

Precious minerals are those metallic minerals that are very precious and expensive.

Example:- God, Silver and Platinum 

  • Non- Metallic minerals

Non-metallic minerals are those which do not contain metal and are soft in texture.

Example:- Mica, salt, potash, sulphur, granite etc.

  • Energy Minerals

Energy minerals are the sources of energy and provide us energy.

Example:- Coal, petroleum and natural gas.

Mineral Resources of India:

  • There are around a hundred minerals which are produced by India are an important source for earning foreign exchange as well as satisfying domestic needs
  • Coal, iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, copper etc, are found in the north Eastern peninsular belt located in Chotanagpur Plateau and the Orisa Plateau covering the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa. These reasons are called the mineral heartland of India.
  • Some minerals such as gems, manganese, coal, mica, graphite, marble etc are in large quantities in the central belt located in Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The second-largest belt of minerals in the country is the central belt.

Location of some Mineral Resources of India:

  • Coal:

It is found in West Bengal(Raniganj, Burdwan, Bankura, Purulia, Darjeeling), Jharkhand(Jharia, Giridih, Bokaro, Karnapura, Rampur), Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh(Rewa, Pench valley, Korba, Sohagpur, Kanha Valley, Betul).

  • Manganese:

It is found in Orrisa, Maharashtra(Nagpur, Bhandara, Ratnagiri), Madhya Pradesh(Balaghat, Chhindawara), Karnataka(Bonai, Kalahandi), Andhra Pradesh(Kadur, Garibaldi).

  • Copper:

It is found in Madhya Pradesh(Balaghat), Rajasthan(Khetri), Jharkhand(Singhbhum, Surda), Karnataka(Chitradurga, Hassan).

  • Mica: 

It is found in Jharkhand(Hazaribagh, Kodarma), Bihar(Gaya, Bhagalpur), Andhra Pradesh(Guntur, Vizag, Kurnool), Rajasthan(Udaipur, Jaipur).

  • Petroleum:

It is found in Assam(Badarpur, Masinpur, Pallharia), Gujrat(Kalol, Khambat), Mumbai high, Bassein( south of Mumbai High). Recently oil has been discovered in the Cauvery basin, Krishna and Godavari basin, Khambat basic etc

  • Gold:

It is found in Karnatka(Hutti, Raichur), Andhra Pradesh(Ramgiri and Yeppamanna goldfields in Chittor and Anantapur districts).

  • Silver, Zinc & Lead:

It is found in Rajasthan(Zawar mines near Udaipur), Andhra Pradesh(Mysore, Chitradurg), Karnataka(Gulbarga).

  • Uranium:

It is found in Jharkhand(Jaduguda), Rajasthan(Ajmer), Andhra Pradesh(Nellore, Nalgonda), Karnataka(Gulbarga).

  • Thorium:

Kerala Coast(From monazite sand), rocks of Aravallis in Rajasthan.

Uses and Exploitation of Minerals:

  • FE, AL & CU – Used for development of industrial plants and machinery.
  • FE, AL & NI – Used for construction work
  • COAL, LIGNITE, URANIUM – Used for generation of energy.
  • AL- Used for designing defence equipment like weapons and ornaments.
  • ZN, MN – Used for agricultural purposes in fertilizers and fungicides
  • AU, AG & PT- Used for making jewellery
  • Zn – Boost body immunity and heal wounds
  • I – Produces thyroid hormones
  • CA – Used for the formation of bones and teeth
  • K – Regulate heartbeat and membrane potential
  • MG – Cofactors for metabolic enzymes
  • Fe – Transportation of oxygen
  • P – Synthesis of DNA and bones
  • NA- Regulates body fluids and maintains the pH balance
  • SE- Helps in the functioning of antioxidant enzymes
  • Cl- Produce hydrochloric acid in the stomach

Conservation of Mineral Resources:

Mineral resources are very essential for the growth and development of a country. But there is a lag in the process of mineral formation due to which the rates of replenishment are very small in comparison to the present rates of consumption.

A sincere effort has to be made in order to use the mineral resources in a planned and sustainable manner.

The following steps are very useful for the conservation of mineral resources.

  • Encourage the use of improved technologies so as to reduce waste generation.
  • Encourage recycling of metals.
  • Regulate the use of mineral resources.
  • Reduce the purchase of unwanted products made from mineral resources.
  • Encourage research for providing Suitable eco-friendly alternatives for fossil fuels, metals, etc.

These are known as the four Rs of the sustainable use of mineral resources. 

Conclusion:

Minerals are substances of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties. We have studied about three different categories of minerals, their importance and usage. Minerals resources play a vital role in many fields so it is important to conserve them. As minerals are non-renewable resources, we have to use them wisely and in a way that they are not overused. We should conserve the minerals for our future generation. Follow the steps discussed in the article for the conservation of mineral resources and make the country rich in minerals.