Class 10th Geography Easy Notes Ch 5 MINERALS AND ENERGY RESOURCES

Importance Of Minerals

Everything, that we use in our daily lives, are made from minerals. 

Even the food that we eat contains minerals.

Toothpaste contains silica, limestone, aluminum oxide, and various phosphate minerals do the cleaning. 

Fluoride - that reduce cavities, comes from a fluorite. 

Toothpaste are made white, with titanium oxide, comes from rutile, ilmenite and anatase. 

Sparkling toothpastes contains mica. 

The toothbrush and tube are made of plastics, from petroleum. 

Minerals are the backbone of our economy.

They are also needed by our body – ( 0.3% minerals ) without them we would not be able to utilize the other 99.7 per cent of foodstuffs.

What are minerals ?

“Homogenous, natural substance with a definable internal structure”, is named mineral.

Minerals are found in varied forms in nature, starting from the toughest diamond to the softest talc.

Rocks : these are the combination of minerals.

Some rocks, contains one mineral only, but majority of the rock contains several minerals in varying proportions. 

Minerals are usually found in “ores”. The term ore is used to explain an accumulation of any mineral mixed with other elements or minerals.

An ore is an naturally occurring having one or more minerals in sufficient concentration mixed with other elements.

When do we extract minerals ?

Factors that play an important role in affecting the economic viability of a reserve :

The concentration of mineral in the ore.

The ease of extraction.

Closeness to the market. 

A choice has to be made between the number of possible alternative. When this is often done a mineral ‘deposit’ or ‘reserve’ turns into a mine.

What is “Rat hole” mining ?

The minerals in India are nationalized and their extraction is feasible only after obtaining due permission from the govt.

In most of the tribal areas of the north-east India, minerals are owned by communities or individuals.

In Meghalaya, there are large deposits of iron ore, coal, limestone and dolomite etc. 

Coal mining in Jowai and Cherrapunjee is done by family member in the form of a long narrow tunnel, known as ‘Rat hole’ mining.

Large number of communities are engaged in Rat hole mining though it is illegal.

Minerals are generally occurring in these forms :

1. Beds and layers
2. Decomposition of surface rocks 
3. Alluvial deposits
4. Ocean waters
5. Veins and loads 

Beds and layers

In sedimentary rocks variety of minerals occur in beds or layers. 

They formed as a result of deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal layers of the rocks. 

Coal and a few sorts of ore are concentrated as a results of long periods under great heat and pressure. 

Sedimentary minerals include potash salt, gypsum and sodium salt. 

These are formed as a result of evaporation especially in arid regions.

Decomposition of surface rocks 

Decomposition of surface rocks is another way of formation of minerals, therefore the removal of soluble constituents, leaving a residual mass of weathered material containing ores. Bauxite is formed this way.

Alluvial deposits

Certain minerals may occur as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors and therefore the base of hills. 

These are called ‘placer deposits’ and generally contain minerals, which are not corroded by water. 

Gold, silver, tin and platinum are most significant among such minerals. 

Ocean waters

The ocean waters contain vast quantities of minerals, but most of those are too widely diffused to be of economic significance. 

Common salt, magnesium and bromine are such minerals that are largely derived from ocean waters. 

The ocean beds too, are rich in manganese nodules in some areas.

Veins and lodes 

In igneous and metamorphic rocks minerals occur in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints. 

The smaller occurrences are called veins and the larger are lodes. 

They are formed when minerals are in liquid, molten and gaseous forms. 

They cool and solidify as they rise. 

Minerals like tin, copper, zinc and lead etc. are obtained from veins and lodes. 

Ferrous Minerals

Ferrous minerals account for about ¾th of the total value of the production of metallic minerals.

They provide a powerful base for the development of metallurgical industries. 

India exports substantial quantities of ferrous minerals after meeting their internal demands.

Iron Ore

Iron ore is considered as the backbone of commercial development.

India is rich in good quality iron ores.

Magnetite is the finest iron ore with up to 70% of iron.

This has excellent magnetic qualities, especially valuable in the electrical industry.

Hematite ore  have a slightly lower iron content as compared to magnetite,but it is the most significant industrial ore.

Odisha-Jharkhand Belt :  Mayurbhanj districts and Badampahar mines in the Kendujhar, Odisha, where high grade hematite ore is found.

Within the adjoining Singbhum district of Jharkhand hematite ore is mined in Gua and Noamundi.

Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt : It lies in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Very high grade hematite are found in the famous Bailadila range of hills in the Bastar district, Chhattisgarh.

It has the simplest physical properties needed for steel making. ores from these mines is exported to Japan and South Korea via Vishakhapatnam port, Andhra Pradesh.

Ballari-Chitradurga-ChikkamagaluruTumakuru Belt : In Karnataka this belt has large reserves of iron ore. Kudremukh deposits are known to be one among the most important in the world. 

This ore is transported as slurry through a pipeline to a port near Mangalore.

Maharashtra-Goa Belt : This includes the state of Goa and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.
Though, the ores aren't of very top quality , yet they're efficiently exploited. 

Iron ore is exported through Marmagao port.

Manganese

Manganese is especially utilized in the manufacturing of steel and Ferro-manganese alloy.

Nearly 10 kg of manganese is needed to manufacture one tone of steel.

It is also utilized in manufacturing bleaching powder, insecticides and paints.

Odisha is the largest producer of manganese ores. It accounted for 1/3rd of the country’s total production in 2000-01.

Non-Ferrous minerals

India’s reserves and production of non- ferrous minerals isn't very satisfactory.

However, these minerals, which include copper, bauxite, lead, zinc and gold play an important role in a very number of metallurgical, engineering and electrical industries.

Copper

India is desperately deficient in the reserve and production of copper.

Being malleable, ductile and a good conductor, copper is especially utilized in electrical cables, electronics and chemical industries.

The Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh, Khetri mines in Rajasthan and Singhbhum district of Jharkhand are the areas that are leading producers of copper.

Bauxite

Several ores contain aluminum, it's from bauxite, a clay-like substance that alumina and later aluminum is obtained.

Bauxite deposits are formed by the decomposition of a wide sort of rocks rich in aluminum silicates.

Aluminum is a key metal that is used to combines the strength of metals like iron, with extreme lightness and also with good conductivity and great malleability.

India’s bauxite deposits are mainly found in the plateau region of Bilaspur-Katni, Maikal hills and the Amarkantak plateau.

Non-Metallic Minerals

Mica

Mica is a mineral made from a series of plates or leaves.

It splits easily into thin sheets.

Mica are often clear, black, green, red yellow or brown.

Mica is one among the most indispensable minerals utilized in electric and electronic industries. Due to  low power loss factor, excellent di-electric strength, insulating properties and resistance to high voltage.

Mica deposits are found in the northern fringe of the Chota Nagpur plateau. Koderma Gaya – Hazaribagh belt in Jharkhand is the leading producer of mica.

In Rajasthan, the main mica producing area is around Ajmer. Nellore mica belt of Andhra Pradesh is additionally a crucial producer in the country.

Rock Minerals

Limestone

Limestone is found in association with rocks that are composed of calcium carbonates or calcium and magnesium carbonates.

It is found in sedimentary rocks of most geological formations.

Limestone is the basic staple for the cement industry and essential for smelting iron ore in the furnace.

Hazards Of Mining

What are the impacts of mining on the environment and the health of the miners ? 

The dust, ashes and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases. 

The risk of collapsing mine roofs, inundation and fires in coalmines are a continuing threat to miners. 

The water sources within the region get contaminated because of mining. 

Dumping of waste and slurry results in degradation of land, soil, and increase pollution in streams and rivers. 

Safety regulations and implementation of environmental laws are essential to stop mining from becoming a “killer industry”.

Why do we need to conserve minerals ?

The total volume of workable mineral deposits is just 1% of the earth’s crust.

It required millions of years to be created and concentrated.

The rate of formation of mineral is slower than the rate of consumption.

Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable.

How can we conserve minerals ?

Mineral resources should be utilized in planned and sustainable manner.

Technologies should be developed to use lower grade minerals at lower cost, to fulfill our needs.

Metals should be recycled and alternative materials should be used in order that minerals can be conserved. 

Energy Resources

Resources that provide energy are called energy resources.

Energy are often generated from fuel minerals like coal, petroleum, gas , uranium and from electricity. 

Conventional sources of energy : firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity (both hydel and thermal). 

Non-conventional sources of energy : include solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas and atomic energy. 

Conventional Sources Of Energy

Coal

In India, coal is the most abundantly available fuel.

It is used for power generation, to provide energy to industry also as for domestic needs.

India is very dependent on coal for meeting its commercial energy requirements.

Coal is made due the compression of material over innumerable years.

Coal is found in a variety of forms depending on the degrees of compression and the depth and time of burial.

Peat – low carbon, high moisture contents and low heating capacity.

Lignite – low grade lignite , soft with high moisture content.

Bituminous – high grade coal that is ideal for metallurgical industries, It is the most popular coal in commercial use.

Anthracite – this is often the highest quality hard coal.

Coal In India

In India coal occurs in the rock series of two main geological ages :

Gondwana Coal : This is Over 200 million yrs in age, which are metallurgical coal, are located in Damodar valley, West Bengal-Jharkhand. Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro are important coalfields in India. The Mahanadi, Godavari Son and Wardha valleys also contain coal deposits.

Tertiary Coal : Over 55 million yrs old, it occur in the north eastern states of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland.

Petroleum

Petroleum or oil is the next major energy source in India after coal.

It provides heat and lighting, lubricants for machinery and raw materials for numerous manufacturing industries.

Petroleum refineries act as a “nodal industry” for synthetic textile, fertilizer and various chemical industries.

Petroleum In India

Most of the petroleum occurrences in India are related to anticlines and fault traps in the rock formations of the tertiary age.

In regions of anticlines or domes, folding, it occurs where oil is trapped in the plume of the up fold.

The oil bearing layer could be a porous limestone or sandstone through which oil may flow.

Petroleum is additionally found in fault traps between porous and non-porous rocks.

Leading producers are Mumbai, Gujarat and Assam.

Ankeleshwar is the most important field of Gujarat.

Assam is the oldest and one of the most important oil producing state of India.

Digboi, Naharkatiya and Moran-Hugrijan are the important oil fields in Mumbai.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is a crucial clean energy resource found in association with or without petroleum.

It is used as a source of energy also as an industrial staple in the petrochemical industry.

Natural gas is considered an environment friendly fuel due to low CO2 emissions.

The power and fertilizer industries are the key users of gas.

Use of Compressed gas (CNG ) for vehicles to exchange liquid fuels is gaining wide popularity in the country.

Natural Gas In India

Large reserves of natural gas are discovered in the Krishna-Godavari basin.

The Mumbai High, Gulf of Cambay, Andaman and Nicobar islands are also important areas having large reserves of natural gas.

Electricity

Electricity is generated mainly in two ways:

Hydro power : By running water which drives hydro turbines to generate electricity.

India features a number of multi-purpose projects just like the Bhakra Nangal, Damodar Valley corporation, the Kopili Hydel Project etc.

Thermal power : By burning other fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas to drive turbines to produce electricity.

Thermal power stations always use non-renewable fossil fuels for generating electricity. There are over 310 thermal power plants in our country India.

Non–Conventional sources of energy

The growing consumption of energy has resulted, country becoming increasingly dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.

Rising prices of oil and gas and their potential shortages have raised uncertainties about the safety of energy supply in future.

Increasing use of fossil fuels also causes serious environmental issues.

There is a pressing need to use renewable energy sources like solar power , wind, tide, biomass and energy from waste.

India is blessed with an abundance of water, sunlight, wind and biomass energies. It has the largest programs for the development of these energy resources.

Nuclear or Atomic Energy

It is obtained by altering the structure of atoms.

When such an alteration is formed, much energy is released in the sort of heat and this is often used to generate electrical power.

Uranium and Thorium, are used for generating atomic or nuclear power, are available in Jharkhand and the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan.

The Monazite sands of Kerala is additionally rich in Thorium.

Solar Energy

India is a tropical country, it has enormous possibilities of tapping solar power.

Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity.

Big solar energy plants are being established in several parts of India.

This will minimize the dependence of rural households on firewood and cow dung cakes.

Wind Energy

India has great potential of wind power.

The largest power station cluster is found in Tamil Nadu from Nagarcoil to Madurai.

Apart from these, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Lakshadweep have important wind farms.

Nagarcoil and Jaisalmer are renowned for effective use of wind energy in the country.

Biogas Energy

Shrubs, farm waste, animal and body waste are used to produce biogas.

Decomposition of organic matter yields natural gas, which has higher thermal efficiency as compared to kerosene, cow dung cakes and charcoal.

Biogas plants are set up by municipal corporations, cooperative and individual levels.

The plants using cattle dung are referred to as ‘Gobar gas plants’ in rural India.

It provide improved quality of manure, and energy for cooking and lighting.

Biogas prevents loss of trees and provide cheap, environmental friendly energy.

Tidal Energy

Oceanic tides can be used to generate electricity.

Floodgate dams are built across inlets.

During the high tide water flows into the inlet and gets trapped when the gate is closed.

The water retained by the floodgate flows back to the ocean via pipe that carries it through power-generating turbine, after the high tide falls on outside the flood gate.

In India the Gulf of Khambhat, and the Gulf of Kuchchh in Gujarat on the western coast and Gangetic delta in Sunderban regions of West Bengal provide ideal conditions for providing tidal energy.

Geothermal Energy

Heat and electricity produced by using the heat from the interior of the earth is thought as Geo thermal energy.

Where the geothermal gradient is high, higher temperatures are found at shallow depths.

Groundwater in such areas absorbs heat and produce steam.

This steam is used to drive turbines and these turbines generate electricity.

Two experimental projects are found out in India to harness geothermal energy.

One is found in the Parvati valley near Manikarn in Himachal Pradesh and the other is found in the Puga Valley, Ladakh.

Conservation of Energy Resources

Energy is a basic requirement for economic development.

Consumption of energy altogether forms has been steadily rising everywhere the country.

India is presently one among the smallest amount energy efficient countries in the world.

Steps should be taken

Using conveyance system instead of individual vehicles.

Switching off electrical devices when not in use.

Using non-conventional sources of energy.

FOR COMPLETE EXPLANATION CLICK HERE :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cshwKe3lidE

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