Mineral Resources

Q.1. Define mineral.

Ans: Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances, which consist of one or more elements.
They include all organic and inorganic materials that are extracted from the Earth by mining. All
rocks are formed/composed of one or more minerals.
Q.2. Define ore.
Ans; A rock which has a large concentration of a particular mineral, is called an ore of that mineral. For
example, iron ore and copper ore.
Though minerals occur widely in rocks, they are extracted only at places, where their
concentration is high.
Q.3. On what basis minerals are identified?
Ans: Minerals can be identified on the basis of colour, density and their chemical properties.
Q.4. What are the two main groups of minerals?
Ans: Minerals are divided into two groups-metallic and non-metallic.
Q.5. What is Metallic minerals? Where does Metallic minerals found? What are the two sub types
of Metallic minerals?
Ans: Minerals that contain metal in raw form is called Metallic minerals. For eg: Iron ore, bauxite and
manganese are metallic minerals.
These are found as ores, in the form of lodes or veins in the cracks of igneous and
metamorphic rock.
The two sub types of Metallic minerals are- Ferrous minerals and Non-ferrous minerals.
Ferrous minerals contain iron-like elements, for eg: manganese and chromites, whereas Non-
ferrous minerals do not contain iron-like elements, but contain some other metals For eg: gold, silver and
copper.
Q.6. What is Non Metallic minerals?
Ans: Minerals that do not contain metal in raw form is called Non Metallic minerals. For eg: mica,
gypsum and limestone.
Q.7. Write two example of 'fossil fuels’ or energy fuels. Where does 'fossil fuels’ or energy fuels
found/occure?
Ans: Coal and petroleum are 'fossil fuels. They are also called energy fuels. They occur in sedimentary
rocks as layers or beds.
Q.8. What is placer deposits?
Ans: Some minerals may occur as alluvial deposits known as placer deposits.
Q.9. What factors decides the extraction of Minerals? On what basis minerals are extracted?
Ans: Extraction of a mineral from an area depends on sufficient concentration of the ore, easy
accessibility of the area, and availability of the required technology.
Q.10 What is mining?
Ans: The extraction of minerals from the Earth is called mining. The method used for extraction depends
on the depth at which the mineral ores are located.
Q.11. Write the different methods of Extraction of Minerals from the Earth.
Ans: Mining can be done by 1. open pit method, 2. quarrying or 3. shaft mining

1. Quarrying= Minerals that lie near/close to the surface are cut up or dug out by the process of
quarrying. For eg: Cutting of surface rocks to put in a stone crusher.
2. Open pit mine= When a mineral ore is located near/close to the Earth's surface, it is taken out by
removing the surface layer. This is called an open pit mine.
3. Shaft mine= When mineral deposits occur deep under the Earth's surface, a deep hole called a
shaft, has to be dug to reach them. Such a deep hole is called a shaft mine.
4. Drilling= Oil and natural gas are deposits deep under the Earth's surface, they are extracted
from deep wells, which are made by drilling into the Earth.
Q.12. Define the process of smelting?
Ans: The process of separating minerals from their ores, by heating beyond melting point, is known as
smelting
Q.13. Write a note on use of Iron and its distribution. What are the main variety of Iron ore?
Ans: Iron is the most abundantly available mineral. Iron can be hammered, rolled, cast, drawn into
wires, welded and combined with other metals to form an alloy. Haematite is the best quality of iron
ore. Iron is combined with carbon and other materials to form different types of steel.
Four main varieties of iron ore can be differentiated on the basis of their iron content-
1. Chhattisgarh (70 per cent-75 per cent), 2. Magnetite (60 per cent-70 per cent),
3. Limonite (50 per cent-60 per cent) and 4. Siderite (Less than 50 per cent)
If the metallic content of an ore is less than 30 per cent, it is not profitable to extract it.
World distribution: Vast quantities of iron ore are found in Russia, USA, Ukraine
Distribution in India: Iron ore is found in Singhbum (Jharkhand). Keonjhar, Bonal and Mayurbhanj
(Odisha), Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Durg and Bastar districts of Madhya Pradesh, parts of Andhra
Pradesh, Salem and Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu). Chikmagalur and Bellari districts of Karnataka and in
Goa as well.
Q.14. Where does Gold found in India?
Ans: Gold is found mainly in Karnataka, Kolar(70 per cent) and Andhra Pradesh, Anantapur (10 per cent)
and Tamil Nadu (Nilgiri mines) in India.
Q.15. Write the uses of copper and its distribution.
Ans: Copper is largely used for making wires in the electrical use industry due to its property of electrical
conductivity(good conductor). Copper is also used for making utensils and alloys like brass, bronze and
German silver.
Distribution in India: Copper reserves are found in Jharkhand, Jhunjhunu and Alwar in Rajasthan,
Khammam district in Andhra Pradesh and in some parts of Karnataka.
Q.16. Write the uses of aluminium and its distribution
Ans: Bauxite is the ore from which aluminium is extracted. Bauxite is the second largest mineral
extracted. Aluminium is used for making aeroplanes, in construction, electrical industry, manufacturing
utensils and paints. Bauxite when processed into aluminium, uses a very large quantity of electric
power. As a result, it is located near power stations.
Distribution in India: Bauxite is found in Jharkhand. Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.
Q.17. Write the uses of Manganese and its distribution
Ans: Manganese is used for making steel and alloys. Manganese is also used to make enamel, dry-cell
batteries, glazed pottery, plastics, chemicals, varnish and glass.
Distribution in India: Manganese is found in Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra.
Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
Q.18. Write the uses of Tin and its distribution.
Ans: Tin is normally used for plating thin sheets of steel, galvanizing (it is a process of applying
protective coating on metal to stop rusting) and soldering(it is a process of joining two or more metal by
melting).
World distribution: Malaysia is the largest producer of tin.
Distribution in India: Only Chhattisgarh produces tin.
Q.19. Write the uses of Mica and its distribution.
Ans: Mica is a bad conductor(insulator) of heat and electricity. Mica is important in electrical goods and
paints industry. Mica is found in sheets.(only metal found in sheets). India is the largest producer
and exporter of mica in the world.
Distribution in India: Mica is found in Bihar. Andhr Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bhilwara district Rajasthan.
Q.20. Write the uses of Limestone and its distribution
Ans: Limestone is used in smelting of iron ore and in the production of cement.
World distribution: Caucasus region of France well-known for limestone deposits..
Q.21. Write the uses of Diamond and its distribution
Ans: Diamond is commonly used for making jewellery. It can also used for cutting glass and drilling hard
rock.
World distribution: Australia are the largest producers.
Distribution in India: It is found in Panna in Madhya Pradesh and Golconda ming Andhra Pradesh.
Q.22. What is the mineral name of common salt ? Write the uses of Salt and its distribution.
Ans: Halite is the mineral name of common salt. Salt in the food and chemical industries.
distribution in India: Salt is obtained from Lake Sambhar in Rajasthan. India is one of the leading
producers and exporters of salt in the world.
Q.22. What are the two main type of energy sources?
Ans; Energy resources are generally classified into conventional resources and nonconventional resources.
Q.23. What is conventional sources of energy?
Ans: The energy sources that are exhaustible, non renewable within time is called conventional sources of
energy. For eg: coal, petroleum(crude oil) and natural gas, Firewood, uranium rocks and hydel-power.
Most of the energy produced in the world today is from coal, petroleum and natural gas.
Conventional sources of energy are those which have been used
for a long time. They accumulate/ found/form in the anticlines or upfolds of rocks.
Q.24. What are Non conventional sources of energy?
Ans: The energy sources that are inexhaustible and renewable with time is called Non conventional
sources of energy. For eg: solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, biogas and geothermal energy.
Q.25. What is fossil fuel or minerals fuels?
Ans: Natural fuel that were formed from plant and animal remains that got buried under the soil, many
years ago is called fossil fuel. For eg: Fossil fuels comprise coal, petroleum(crude oil) and natural gas.
They are minerals of organic origin.
Coal, petroleum and natural gas are non metallic minerals that are used as power
resources so they are also called minerals fuels.
Q.26. Write the uses and distribution of petroleum(crude oil).
Ans: Crude oil, also called petroleum, is refined to produce numerous fuel products such as petrol,
kerosene, aviation fuel, and diesel.
World distribution: Two-third of this supply lies in the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas.
Distribution in India: Till independence, oil was only drilled and refined at Digbol in Assam. Now,
it is drilled in Gujarat Plains, the Cambay offshore area and off the coast of Mumbai at Bombay High.
Some oil is also found in the deltaic areas of Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and Mahanadi
rivers.(river name important)
Q.27. Write the uses and advantage/fetures of Natural gas. Write the name of gases that comprises
natural gas.
Ans: Natural gas occurs in association with petroleum, it is used as domestic fuel and to generate
electricity.
Natural gas consists/comprises mainly of methane and other gases like ethane, propane and
butane.(important)
Natural gas has many advantages and gradually its use is increasing.
1. Natural gas is a source of energy for the industries.
2. Gas-based power plants can be installed faster.
3. Natural gas is used as a transport fuel (Compressed Natural Gas CNG) or domestic fuel
(Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG).
4. Natural gas supports the fertiliser industry.
5. Gas can be transported easily through pipelines.
Disadvantage of Natural gas is Burning natural gas can release toxic pollutants.
Q.28. What is reservoir rocks?
Ans: Areas with large deposits of Natural gas are called reservoir rocks.
Q.29. Where does coal found? What factors determine the variety of coal? Write the uses of coal.
Ans: Coal is found in the layers of sedimentary rocks.
The quality of coal varies depending on the carbon content, which varies with time, pressure
and heat that acted on the rocks during coal formation.
Coal is a fuel used for making steel, generating electricity and in the chemical industry. Coal found in
India is used by railways and the iron and steel industry.
Q.30. Write the different variety of coal.
Ans: Four different varieties of coal are :
1. Peat= Peat is a brownish substance and represents the first stage of coal formation. It has a high
moisture content and burns with difficulty and emits a lot of smoke.
2. Lignite= Lignite is brown coal with 40-60 per cent carbon content and plenty of moisture, It is a
soft variety of coal. This constitutes 15 per cent of the world's coal reserve.
3. Bitiminous= Bituminous is black coal. It has 70-80 percent carbon content and forms 80
percent of the available coal variety or world.
4. Anthracite= Anthracite is very good quality coal with 90 per cent carbon. It burns without
smoke. It contributes 5 per cent of the world's total reserves.
Q.31. Write the uses of Hydroelectric power
Ans: The force of flowing water has been harnessed/used for grinding grain and for generating
hydroelectricity. Hydroelectric power is a clean, non-polluting source which gives electricity at a much
cheaper cost than other source. 20 per cent of the world's ectricity comes from hydel power.
Distribution in India: Hydel power is developed and generated by several power plants, like Bhakra
Nangal DVC, Hirakud, Mahatma Gandhi Project situated on Jog falls (on River Sharavati)(imp)
Q.32. How nuclear powers obtain/produce? Write the Disadvantage of nuclear power.
Ans: Disintegration(separation) of radioactive elements like uranium and thorium releases nuclear power.
The Disadvantage of nuclear power are-
1. Setting up nuclear power plants is very expensive.
2. Disposal of nuclear wastes is a major problem.
Q.33. Write the distribution of Nuclear power in India.
Ans: Distribution in India: We have some deposits of elements, such as monazite and thorium in the
beach sands of Kerala. These are sources of atomic energy or nuclear energy.
Q.34. Write the name of nuclear power plant in India with its locaion.(imp)
Ans: There are Five Nuclear power stations in India. They are located in -
1. Kaiga in Karnataka, 2. Ranapratap Sagar near Kota in Rajasthan,
3. Narora in Uttar Pradesh, 4. Tarapur in Maharashtra and
5. Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.
Q.35. Write a note on Solar energy
Ans: Solar energy is the most abundant, non-polluting and inexhaustible source of energy. It has a huge
potential, especially in tropical countries. It has been successfully tapped for cooking, water heating,
water desalinisation, crop drying and generating electricity. Use of solar energy has increased by seven
times with the help of the cell. It is expensive to harness solar engery.
Q.36. Write a note on Geothermal energy
Ans: Geothermal energy is generated from the heat energy that is released from inside the Earth
through hot springs. Geothermal energy is a clean and eco-friendly source of energy, but costly to
transport, as plants are located far away from cities.
World distribution: USA has the largest geothermal power plant in the world.
Distribution in India: Plants are located in Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh and Puga Valley in Ladakh.
Q.37. What does Greenhouse gases include?
Ans: Greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone.
Q.38. What are the advantage and disadvantages of Wind energy?
Ans: Wind energy can be used for providing water (windmills) for irrigation and to generate electricity.
Wind energy is a safe clean and non-polluting source of energy.
Disadvantage of Wind energy: Variability of wind speed, direction and intensity are its
drawbacks.Setting up wind mills is costly.
World distribution: Europe produces 70 per cent of the total 25,000 MW wind energy in the world.
Q.39. How Tidal energy is produced?
Ans: Tidal energy is an energy generated from tides by building dams at the openings of the sea. A
turbine is installed in the dam to produce electricity.
In India Gulf of Kachchh has potential for generation of such power. Only Canada and France
have successfully produced some tidal energy.
Q.40.What is biogas? Name Two biogase used as fuel.
Ans: Biomass includes urban waste, agricultural waste and domestic waste. Biomass releases methane
gas which is known as biogas. Biogas can be burned directly or converted to liquid biofuels.
Two Biogas that are burned as fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. All these sources of energy
are important domestic fuels.
Q.41. Why it is necessary to conserve minerals and energy source?
Ans: All minerals and conventional sources of energy are exhaustible, once they are consumed. They
cannot be replaced or renewed. Therefore, planned utilisation of these resources is important, so that we
have sufficient supplies for future generations .
Minerals can be conserved by= 1. Minimising waste during mining. 2. Recycling and
reusing. 3. Developing more efficient ways of extraction and utilization.

Metallic minerals are recyclable. Recycling means using discarded materials once again.
Their use is possible through physical, chemical or other changes.