India is rich in mineral resources, with vast reserves of Uranium, Coal, Gold, Iron ore, Lead, Zinc, Magnesium, and many other minerals. Minerals have an orderly atomic structure, a definite chemical composition, and physical properties.

The 'Major Minerals in India' is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Geography in the General Studies Paper-1 and UPSC prelims syllabus. In this article, we shall study the facts related to the minerals in India, the distribution and types of mineral resources, physical characteristics, and more. The UPSC aspirants can also get help from Testbook's UPSC CSE Coaching to boost their UPSC exam preparation! 

What are Minerals?

Minerals are naturally occurring substances that are typically solid, inorganic, and have a crystalline structure. They are taken out of the ground through mining or quarrying after being created from the earth's crust over geological time. The world is formed of mineral elements, independently or in myriad varieties called compounds. A mineral is composed of a single component or compound. By description, a mineral is a naturally emerging inorganic substance with a solid chemical composition and an atomic structure. The features in the earth's crust are infrequently seen only but are usually integrated with other elements to make different substances. These substances are identified as minerals.

• Several economic sectors depend on minerals, including construction, manufacturing, electronics, and energy production.
• They manufacture products like cement, metals, glass, fertilizers, and electronic component parts. Among the minerals admired for their aesthetic attributes are gold, silver, and diamonds, used in jewelry and other ornamental items.
• Minerals are frequently traded internationally because of their scarcity and importance to the economy, and many nations view them as essential resources.
• It has an orderly atomic form, solid chemical formatting, and material properties.
• A mineral is formed of two or more components. But sometimes single-element minerals like copper, sulfur, silver, graphite, gold, etc. are also seen.
• Though the number of components making up the lithosphere is limited, they are merged in many additional ways to make up many types of minerals.
• At least 2,000 minerals have been recognized in the earth's crust. Yet, nearly all the naturally emerging ones are associated with six primary mineral groups known as main rock-forming minerals.
• The primary origin of all minerals is the hot magma in the earth's interior.
• When magma chills, crystals of minerals arise, and a frequent series of minerals are formed successively to harden to create rocks.
• Minerals such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas are from organic sources and are seen in liquid, solid, and gaseous forms.

Minerals show different physical characteristics, including color, luster, hardness, streak, cleavage, fracture, and crystal form, that are used to specify and explain them. These properties usually relate to a mineral's chemical formatting and crystal form. These contain physical and chemical properties such as hardness, cleavage, density and color, crystallography, magnetism, electrical conductivity, radioactivity, and fluorescence. 

• A mineral's hardness determines how resistant it is to scratching or abrasion. It is rated using the Mohs scale, which goes from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest, like a diamond).
• A mineral's color can differ depending on its composition, impurities, and other elements. But some minerals have distinctive colors, like sulfur (yellow), malachite (green), and hematite.
• A mineral's luster describes how it reflects light. The luster of minerals can be metallic (like gold), vitreous (like glass), pearly (like pearl), or drab (like clay).
• When a mineral fractures, it does so over an uneven surface, as opposed to when it cleaves along a flat surface. Minerals can display conchoidal, irregular, or splintery fracture and excellent, good, or bad cleavage.
• Depending on the structure and composition of the mineral, it can change. Pyrite, for instance, is denser than quartz.
• Many minerals form distinct crystal shapes, such as cubes, hexagons, or prisms. The mineral's internal structure determines these shapes and can be used to identify them.

For more info, check out the article on the Physical Characteristics of minerals for UPSC preparation!

List of Major Minerals in India

India is a mineral-rich country home to several major minerals, including coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, gold, zinc, lead, and others. These minerals play a vital role in India's economy and industrial growth. India's noteworthy mineral resources include coal, which is 4th largest reserve in the world; manganese ore, which is 7th largest reserve in the world as of 2013; lithium ore, which is 6th largest reserve in the world as of 2023; iron ore, mica, bauxite which is 5th largest reserve in the world as in 2013, natural gas, chromite, limestone, diamonds, and thorium. India's oil reserves, located in Bombay High off the coast of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and eastern Assam, meet 25% of the country's demand.

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Mineral Belts of India

Distribution Of Minerals In India- India has several mineral belts spread across the country. The major mineral belts in India are the North Eastern Peninsular Belt, the South Western Peninsular Belt, the Central Belt, the North Western Belt, and the Southern Belt. Mineral resources supply the essential basis for the country's industrial growth. In India, minerals are focused in three broad belts. There may be a few isolated irregular happenings in some areas. The most prosperous mineral belt in India is the North-Eastern Peninsular Belt, also known as the Chhota Nagpur Plateau. This region, traversing parts of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, is famous for its extensive reserves of minerals, including iron ore, coal, manganese, bauxite, mica, copper, chromite, and kyanite. India's Economic growth has greatly benefited from this belt, which has supplied the necessary inputs for the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.

North-Eastern Peninsular Belt 

• It is a mineral belt in India that stretches from the Chota Nagpur region in the north to the Godavari- Krishna River Valley in the south. 
• Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, and portions of Andhra Pradesh cover most of this region. The massive mineral riches in this belt, which also contain sizable stocks of bauxite, coal, and iron ore, are well-known,
• It also has some of India's most significant manganese ore resources. Copper, mica, limestone, and graphite are essential minerals in India.
• The region's rich mineral resources have been a significant factor for economic growth in India, as the belt contributes significantly to the country's iron and steel, aluminum, and coal industries. 
• Adding to it, due to the presence of high-grade reserves of mica, the North Eastern Peninsular Belt is one of the world's leading producers of mica-based products.

Southern Belt 

• The Southern Belt of India is a famous mineral belt stretching across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. 
• Iron ore, manganese ore, bauxite, limestone, and graphite are among the mineral formations found in reasonable quantities in this area. Some of the nation's most significant coal and mica resources are found in this area, too.
• For the Indian steel, aluminum, and coal industries, this mineral belt is a great supplier of raw materials. It is one of the biggest manufacturers of mica-based goods worldwide, too.
• The presence of these minerals has allowed for the development of various industries in the region, like cement and glass manufacturing. This belt is an integral part of India's economic growth and development.

South-Western Belt 

• The South-Western Belt of India stretches across the states of Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. 
• This belt is known for having many limestone, bauxite, Iron ore, and manganese ore. A few of the largest deposits of mica, graphite, and copper may be seen in this region.
• Due to the belt's enormous contribution to the nation's iron and steel, Al, and coal sectors, the vast natural resources of the South-Western Belt have been a significant factor in our country's economic progress. 
• Adding to it, due to the presence of high-grade reserves of mica, this region is one of the world's leading producers of mica-based products. The South-Western Belt is an integral part of our country's economic growth and development.

North-Western Belt 

• The North-Western Belt of India is a region rich in minerals, including iron ore, bauxite, zinc, and copper. Located in the western part of the country, this belt extends from the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat to Chhattisgarh. 
• Iron ore, bauxite, coal, dolomite, manganese, and zinc are the principal minerals in this area. The most significant material found in this area is iron ore, which is used to make steel.
• Aluminum is produced using bauxite, and electrical and electronic products need zinc and copper. Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh have the most mining activity in India's North Western Belt.
• The region has several thermal power plants, cement plants, and other industries.

Know about the Rare Earth Minerals for UPSC preparation!

UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions (PYQ)

Q1. Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet the resource crisis in the world. (UPSC Mains 2014)

Minerals have been categorized mainly into two types: primary minerals and secondary minerals. Minerals have been placed in the primary category by igneous methods of the molten material magma. Those created by other forms have been recognized in the secondary category. Primary minerals in the soil's sand particles have not been modified. Other primary minerals had been modified to form the secondary minerals. For instance, the primary mineral mica had been changed to create the secondary mineral illite. Some other primary minerals, such as anorthite, olivine, hornblende, etc., had been fully decomposed; the decomposition products recombined to compose the secondary minerals. Minerals can be classified into types, such as metallic and non-metallic, based on their characteristics and uses.

Metallic Minerals

• Metallic minerals contain metallic elements such as iron, copper, lead, zinc, etc. They are usually found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. They are also extracted through mining and refining processes. 
• Metallic minerals are of two types: Ferrous minerals and Non-ferrous minerals.
• The metallurgical procedure separates metal from minerals, and then the metal is used in other processing processes to make products. 
• Copper ore, gold, silver, lead, and zinc are metallic minerals. Metallic minerals are generally used to generate alloys, which combine 2 or more elements to produce a more potent substance.
• Automobile parts, batteries, and electrical components are all made with metallic minerals.

Ferrous metals

• Ferrous metals contain iron- such as iron ore, steel, and cast iron. These metals are usually found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. They are extracted through mining and refining processes. 
• Ferrous metals are strong & durable, which makes them apt for use in construction, manufacturing, and engineering. The ferrous metal's properties, like wind turbines and solar panels, are also suitable for energy production. 
• Ferrous metals are also used to make tools and weapons, including the production of alloys, which combine 2 or more elements to create a stronger material.

Non-ferrous metals

• Non-ferrous metals are metals or alloys that do not contain iron in reasonable amounts. Generally more costly than ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals are used in several applications ranging from construction to electronics. 
• Lead, copper, zinc, tin, aluminum, and nickel are known as non-ferrous metals. These metals are often used to produce alloys, which combine 2 or more elements to create a stronger material. 
• Non-ferrous metals are used to make tools & weapons and in the production of electrical components, batteries, and automotive parts. These types of metals are also often used to produce coins and jewelry.

Non- Metallic Minerals

• Non-metallic minerals are minerals that do not contain any metal element. They are composed of other elements like carbon, sulfur, and phosphorus and are used in different industries. 
• The non-metallic minerals- limestone, gypsum, and mica are a few examples.
  • Limestone is a standard building material essential in making cement and asphalt. 
  • Plaster, drywall, and other building products are all made with gypsum.
  • Mica is used in different industries: Paint, plastics, and rubber. 
• Non-metallic minerals can also be used in the production of fertilizers and other agricultural products. 
• Non-metallic minerals are mostly mined from the earth, but some can be created through chemical processes. 
• These minerals are essential to the global economy and are used in different industries.

Check out the article on National Mineral Policy for UPSC preparation!

Harmful effects of mining

The environmental impact of mining can occur at local, regional, and global scales through direct and indirect mining practices. Mining can cause erosion, sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, or the contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water by chemicals emitted from mining processes. These processes also affect the atmosphere through carbon emissions, contributing to climate change. Mining operations remain rigorous and intrusive, often resulting in significant environmental impacts on local ecosystems and broader implications for planetary ecological health. Some of the potential negative consequences of mining includes:

• Wildlife's natural habitats and migration patterns may be disturbed by mining, which may result in a decrease in species.
• Dust and other particulates released into the air during mining can lead to respiratory troubles and other health concerns in people and animals.
• Toxic substances that can infect drinking water and destroy aquatic life can be released by mining into rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
• Erosion and soil degradation can be caused by mining, which can also erode topsoil and harm natural habitats. This may affect local communities that depend on agriculture and the land for their livelihoods.
• Mine workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, dust, and other elements, which can cause respiratory troubles, lung conditions, and other health concerns.
• Explosives, drilling, and heavy equipment used in mining can make loud noises that annoy nearby residents and wildlife.
• Local communities may experience economic instability due to mining since demand and price changes may affect the sector.
• The environment, human health, and local communities can all be adversely affected by mining. Thus, it is crucial to examine these effects when making decisions concerning mining activities carefully.

Check out the article on Rat Hole Mining for UPSC exam

Conclusion

India is one of the world's leading mineral producers & exporters, with large reserves of several major minerals. The mining sector is vital for India's developing economy because it creates jobs and boosts its GDP. Coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, gold, zinc, lead, and many other minerals are essential for different industries, including steel, power, construction, & more, and they are found in large quantities in India.

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