MINERAL AND ENERGY RESOURCES
India boasts a diverse array of mineral resources owing to its varied geological structure. These resources serve as the foundation for industrial development, with the majority stemming from pre-palaeozoic age formations associated with metamorphic and igneous rocks.
Types of Mineral Resources Minerals are categorized based on their chemical and physical properties into metallic and non-metallic minerals. Metallic minerals yield metals like iron, copper, and gold, while non-metallic minerals encompass fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum, as well as inorganic minerals like mica, limestone, and graphite.
Characteristics of Minerals Minerals exhibit certain key characteristics:
- Uneven distribution across space.
- An inverse relationship between quality and quantity.
- Exhaustibility over time due to slow geological development.
Distribution of Minerals in India India's mineral wealth is primarily concentrated in three broad belts:
- The North-Eastern Plateau Region: Encompassing Chhotanagpur, Odisha, West Bengal, and parts of Chhattisgarh, it is rich in iron ore, coal, manganese, and bauxite.
- The South-Western Plateau Region: Covering Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, it is abundant in ferrous metals, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, and limestone.
- The North-Western Region: Spanning Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Maharashtra, it hosts minerals like copper, zinc, gypsum, and limestone.
- Copper, lead, zinc, cobalt, and tungsten are found in the Himalayan belt, along with mineral oil reserves in Assam and off-shore areas near Mumbai.
- Ferrous Minerals including iron ore and manganese, form the backbone of metallurgical industries. Notable locations include Odisha, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa.
- India possesses vast reserves of iron ore, primarily of haematite and magnetite types, concentrated in states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Goa, and Tamil Nadu.
- Manganese deposits are prevalent in Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana, serving as a crucial raw material for ferroalloys production.
- India's non-ferrous metallic mineral resources are limited, with bauxite being a notable exception.
- Bauxite crucial for aluminium manufacturing, is found extensively in states like Odisha, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
- Copper vital for electrical industries, is primarily located in Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), and Rajasthan.
- India's non-metallic minerals, like mica, limestone, dolomite, and phosphate, are significant for various industrial applications.
- Mica prized in the electrical and electronic sectors, is sourced from states like Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
1. Energy Resources in India
Energy resources are crucial for various sectors like agriculture, industry, transportation, and more. India relies on a mix of conventional and non-conventional sources to meet its energy needs.
Conventional Energy Sources
- Coal Coal plays a vital role in thermal power generation and iron ore smelting. India's coal reserves are mainly of bituminous type and are primarily found in Gondwana and tertiary deposits.
- Petroleum Crude petroleum is a versatile energy source used in internal combustion engines, petrochemical industries, and numerous by-products like fertilizers, rubber, and cosmetics. It is primarily sourced from sedimentary rocks of the tertiary period.
- Natural Gas Natural gas, often found in petroleum deposits, serves as a domestic, industrial, and transport fuel. India's major gas reserves are concentrated in the Mumbai High fields and the Krishna-Godavari basin.
Non-Conventional Energy Sources
- Solar Energy Solar energy, harnessed through photovoltaic cells and solar thermal technology, is clean, renewable, and cost-competitive. It has vast potential, particularly in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- Wind Energy Wind energy, converted into electricity through turbines, is pollution-free and abundant. States like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have favourable conditions for wind energy generation.
- Tidal and Wave Energy India's coasts have immense potential for tidal and wave energy, yet these sources remain largely untapped despite their infinite nature.
- Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy, derived from magma heat and hot springs, is a viable alternate source. India has a geothermal energy plant in Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh.
- Bio-Energy Bio-energy, derived from biological products like agricultural residues and municipal waste, offers sustainable energy conversion options. Projects like waste-to-energy plants, such as Okhla in Delhi, contribute to waste management and energy production.
- Nuclear Energy Resources Nuclear energy, utilizing minerals like uranium and thorium, is a significant energy source. India's nuclear power projects include Tarapur, Rawatbhata, Kalpakkam, Narora, Kaiga, and Kakarapara.
2. Conservation of Mineral Resources
The challenge of sustainable development necessitates the harmonization of economic progress with environmental preservation. Conventional resource extraction methods often lead to significant waste generation and environmental degradation, highlighting the critical need for resource conservation to ensure the well-being of future generations.
- The pursuit of sustainable development underscores the importance of protecting resources and minimizing environmental impact. This involves adopting alternative energy sources such as solar power, wind energy, wave energy, and geothermal energy, which are renewable and sustainable in the long run.
- Encouraging the development and adoption of renewable energy sources is crucial to reduce reliance on exhaustible resources like fossil fuels. By transitioning to renewable energy, countries can mitigate environmental damage and ensure energy security for the future.
- In the case of metallic minerals, promoting the use of scrap metals enables efficient recycling processes. This approach is particularly significant for metals like copper, lead, and zinc, where India's reserves are limited. Recycling helps conserve natural resources and reduces the environmental impact of mining activities.
- Exploring and utilizing substitutes for scarce metals can also contribute to resource conservation. By reducing the consumption of scarce metals through substitution, countries can extend the lifespan of existing reserves and minimize dependency on imports.
- Limiting the export of strategic and scarce minerals is essential to preserve domestic reserves for longer-term national needs. This strategy ensures that critical minerals are available domestically, reducing dependency on global markets and safeguarding against supply disruptions.
