Minerals and Energy Resources — Class 10 Social Science
Geography — Contemporary India-II · Chapter 5
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Chapter summary
Key ideas & terms
- Mineral
- A naturally occurring substance with a definite chemical composition.
- Ore
- A rock or mineral from which a metal can be profitably extracted.
- Ferrous minerals
- Minerals that contain iron, such as iron ore and manganese.
- Non-ferrous minerals
- Metallic minerals without iron, such as copper, bauxite and gold.
- Conventional energy
- Traditional energy sources such as coal, petroleum and firewood.
- Non-conventional energy
- Renewable energy from sources like the sun, wind, tides and geothermal heat.
- Placer deposits
- Minerals found as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors.
- Conservation of minerals
- Planned, efficient use and recycling so that minerals last longer.
Extra questions & answers
How do minerals occur in nature?
In rocks as ores — in veins and lodes in igneous and metamorphic rocks, in beds and layers in sedimentary rocks, and as alluvial or placer deposits in sands.
Why is it important to conserve minerals?
Because minerals are exhaustible and take millions of years to form, so unchecked use will rapidly deplete this finite resource.
Distinguish between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy.
Conventional sources include coal, petroleum and firewood, while non-conventional sources are renewable, such as solar, wind, tidal and geothermal energy.
Why should India develop non-conventional sources of energy?
To reduce pollution and dependence on exhaustible fossil fuels and to ensure clean, sustainable energy for the growing economy.
Distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals.
Ferrous minerals contain iron, such as iron ore and manganese, while non-ferrous minerals do not, such as copper, bauxite and gold.
How do minerals occur in nature?
As ores in rocks — in veins and lodes in igneous and metamorphic rocks, in beds and layers in sedimentary rocks, and as alluvial (placer) deposits in sands.
Distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals.
Ferrous minerals contain iron, such as iron ore and manganese, while non-ferrous minerals do not, such as copper, bauxite and gold.
Why is it important to conserve minerals?
Because minerals are exhaustible and take millions of years to form, so unplanned use will quickly deplete this finite resource.
Distinguish between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy.
Conventional sources like coal, petroleum and firewood are traditional and often exhaustible, while non-conventional sources like solar, wind and tidal energy are renewable.
Why should India develop non-conventional sources of energy?
To reduce pollution and dependence on exhaustible fossil fuels and to ensure clean, sustainable energy for the growing economy.
Dig a little deeper:
Dig a little deeper and find out how many minerals are used to make a light bulb?
A light bulb uses several minerals and mineral-derived materials. These commonly include silica for glass; tungsten for the filament; copper and aluminium for conducting electricity; iron, nickel and other metals in the base and supports; and minerals used to produce insulating materials.
Dig a little deeper
Dig a little deeper and collect “Nutritional Facts” printed on food labels.
A typical food label lists energy, protein, carbohydrates, total sugars, added sugars, dietary fibre, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat and sodium. Some labels also give minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium and zinc, along with the percentage of the recommended daily intake.
Dig a little deeper:
What is the difference between an open pit mine, a quarry and an underground mine with shafts?
An open-pit mine is a large surface excavation used to extract minerals lying relatively near the surface. A quarry is generally a shallower surface excavation from which building stone, limestone, sand or similar materials are removed. An underground mine uses vertical or inclined shafts and tunnels to reach deposits located deep below the surface.
Dig a little deeper:
Superimpose the maps showing distribution of iron ore, manganese, coal and iron and steel industry. Do you see any correlation. Why?
Yes. Many iron and steel centres are located close to the major belts of iron ore, manganese and coal, especially in and around the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Steel production requires large quantities of these bulky raw materials, so locating plants near their sources reduces transport costs and ensures a regular supply.
Dig a little deeper:
Locate the mines of Bauxite on the physical map of India.
The major bauxite-mining areas shown in the chapter include the Amarkantak Plateau, the Maikal Hills, the Bilaspur–Katni plateau region and Panchpatmali in Koraput district of Odisha. Other important areas are found in Jharkhand, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Dig a little deeper:
Study the maps to explain why Chota Nagpur is a storehouse of minerals.
The Chota Nagpur Plateau contains ancient crystalline rocks and has rich deposits of coal, iron ore, manganese, bauxite, mica and limestone. Major mineral belts and coalfields occur close together in this region, making it one of India’s most important mineral-producing areas.
Dig a little deeper:
Make a list of items where substitutes are being used instead of minerals. Where are these substitutes obtained from?
Examples include plastic pipes replacing metal pipes, fibre-optic cables replacing some copper cables, plastic or wooden furniture replacing metal furniture, and synthetic materials replacing certain natural mineral-based products. Plastics and synthetic fibres are mainly obtained from petroleum and natural gas, while wood comes from forests and plant-based materials come from agricultural resources.
Activity
Collect information about cross country natural gas pipelines laid by GAIL (India) under “One Nation One Grid”.
GAIL constructed the first major cross-country gas pipeline, the approximately
Activity
Name some river valley projects and write the names of the dams built on these rivers.
Examples include the Bhakra–Nangal Project on the Sutlej River, with the Bhakra and Nangal dams; the Damodar Valley Project on the Damodar River system, with dams such as Maithon and Panchet; and the Kopili Hydel Project on the Kopili River.
Activity
Collect information about newly established solar power plants in India.
The chapter explains that large solar power plants are being established in different parts of India because the country receives abundant sunlight. These plants use photovoltaic technology to convert sunlight directly into electricity. They help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, firewood and dung cakes, particularly in rural and remote areas. The chapter does not provide the names of individual newly established plants.
EXERCISES
1. Multiple choice questions.
(i) Which one of the following minerals is formed by decomposition of rocks, leaving a residual mass of weathered material?
(a) coal (b) bauxite (c) gold (d) zinc
(b) bauxite
(ii) Koderma, in Jharkhand is the leading producer of which one of the following minerals?
(a) bauxite (b) mica (c) iron ore (d) copper
(b) mica
(iii) Minerals are deposited and accumulated in the stratas of which of the following rocks?
(a) sedimentary rocks (c) igneous rocks
(b) metamorphic rocks (d) none of the above
(a) sedimentary rocks
(iv) Which one of the following minerals is contained in the Monazite sand?
(a) oil (b) uranium (c) thorium (d) coal
(c) thorium
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) Distinguish between the following in not more than 30 words.
(a) ferrous and non-ferrous minerals
Ferrous minerals contain iron, such as iron ore and manganese. Non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron; examples include copper, bauxite, lead, zinc and gold.
(b) conventional and non-conventional sources of energy
Conventional sources, such as coal, petroleum and firewood, have long been commonly used. Non-conventional sources, such as solar, wind, tidal and geothermal energy, are newer and mostly renewable.
(ii) What is a mineral?
A mineral is a homogeneous, naturally occurring substance with a definite internal structure and characteristic physical and chemical properties.
(iii) How are minerals formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
Minerals in liquid, molten or gaseous forms are forced into cracks, faults, crevices and joints. They cool and solidify there, forming smaller veins and larger lodes.
(iv) Why do we need to conserve mineral resources ?
Minerals are finite and non-renewable because they take millions of years to form. Rapid extraction depletes high-quality deposits and makes future mining deeper, costlier and more difficult.
3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Describe the distribution of coal in India.
Coal in India occurs mainly in two geological formations: Gondwana deposits, which are a little over
(ii) Why do you think that solar energy has a bright future in India?
Solar energy has a bright future in India because the country lies in the tropical region and receives abundant sunlight for much of the year. Photovoltaic technology can convert this sunlight directly into electricity. Solar power is especially useful in rural, remote and sparsely populated areas where extending conventional electricity networks may be difficult or expensive. Its use can reduce dependence on coal, petroleum, firewood and dung cakes. This helps conserve limited fossil fuels, reduces air pollution and prevents the loss of forests and valuable manure. Solar energy is renewable and can support a sustainable path of development. The establishment of large solar plants and the growing use of solar equipment can therefore improve energy security while protecting the environment.
ACTIVITY
Fill the name of the correct mineral in the crossword below:
The completed crossword uses the answers given in the ACROSS and DOWN clues.
ACROSS
1. A ferrous mineral (9)
Manganese
ACROSS
2. Raw material for cement industry (9)
Limestone
ACROSS
3. Finest iron ore with magnetic properties (9)
Magnetite
ACROSS
4. Highest quality hard coal (10)
Anthracite
ACROSS
5. Aluminium is obtained from this ore (7)
Bauxite
ACROSS
6. Khetri mines are famous for this mineral (6)
Copper
ACROSS
7. Formed due to evaporation (6)
Gypsum
DOWN
1. Found in placer deposit (4)
Gold
DOWN
2. Iron ore mined in Bailadila (8)
Hematite
DOWN
3. Indispensable for electrical industry (4)
Mica
DOWN
4. Geological Age of coal found in north east India (8)
Tertiary
DOWN
5. Formed in veins and lodes (3)
Tin