Minerals and Energy Resources

• Minerals are substances found in the Earth's crust with a definite chemical composition

Metallic Minerals

• Ores from which metals are extracted, like iron, copper, gold, silver, lead, aluminum, and tin

Non-Metallic Minerals

• Ores not containing metals, these include coal, petroleum, mica, and manganese which are also known as energy minerals

Nuclear Energy

• Energy obtained by splitting atoms under controlled conditions, derived from splitting an atom's nucleus

Non-Conventional Energy Resources

• Renewable resources that can be used repeatedly and renewed quickly

Conventional Energy Resources

• Resources that cannot be replaced in a short time once used
• Minerals are in everyday items, from tiny pins to large buildings
• They are extracted from rocks after refinement
• Minerals are essential for livelihood, decoration, festivities, religious, and ceremonial rites

Minerals and Ores

• Minerals are natural materials containing metals or their compounds All minerals are not suitable for metal extraction
• Ores are minerals from which metals can be extracted profitably, containing a good percentage of the desired metal without undesirable impurities

Types of Minerals

• Broadly divided into metallic and non-metallic minerals

Metallic Minerals

• Minerals yielding metals like iron, gold, copper, silver, aluminum, and tin
• Ferrous minerals contain iron such as iron ore, manganese and chromites
• Non-ferrous minerals may contain metals other than iron, such as silver, copper or lead

Non-Metallic Minerals

• Minerals that do not contain metals
• Examples include coal, mica, sulphur, potash, and petroleum

Energy Resources

• Resources are crucial for industrialization, modernization, and economic development
• Increasing population and development have significantly increased the demand for energy resources

Non-Conventional Energy Resources

• Renewable resources that can be reused and renewed in a short time, such as water, solar, wind, and tidal energy

Conventional Energy Resources

• Resources that cannot be replaced quickly
• Coal, mineral oil, and natural gas

Coal

• Formed from remains of plants and animals buried for millions of years, transformed by heat and pressure into fossil fuels
• Is a fossil fuel such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Coal is one of the main sources of convention energy

Uses of Coal

• Domestic fuel
• Fuel for industries like iron and steel
• Used to generate electricity
• Source for gaseous and liquid fuels but its use cause pollution
• Major producers of coal are China, United States of America, Russia, Ukraine, and India, with most coal mines located in the Northern Hemisphere

Lake Superior and Alabama

• Top regions for iron production in the USA
• Three mining areas in Canada within the Lake Superior region: Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland
• Sweden leads in iron ore production in Europe, with mining in the northern, central, and southern parts of the country

Copper

• A reddish-orange metal used for over 5,000 years
• Copper pyrites is the primary ore which has physical properties
• Used due to its conductivity in electrical appliances and cooking utensils
• It is malleable also used in making the alloys brass and bronze
• Major producers include Chile, USA, Canada, Africa, and Russia, with Chile being the largest producer worldwide
• Mining primarily done in northern Chile, especially in Chuquicamata, El-Tenienti, and Brader

Copper in India

• Jharkhand and Rajasthan are primary producers, with mines in Chaibasa, Hazaribagh (Jharkhand), and Khetri (Rajasthan)

Bauxite

• The ore of aluminum
• It is a light metal, a good conductor of heat and electricity
• Aluminum is used in utensils, auto parts, aircraft construction, and electric equipment production,
• It is strengthened by mixing with metals to form alloys
• Duralumin is one of the key alloys of aluminum.

Bauxite Production

• Australia is the largest bauxite producer
• India's major bauxite-producing states are Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra
• Production areas include Gusha, Kalahandi, Koraput, Sundargarh, and Balangir districts in Odisha, and Nilgiri, Coimbatore and Salem in Tamil Nadu

Silver

• A valuable metal used for ornaments due to its softness
• It is also used in photography, electroplating, and making chemicals
• Mexico is the world leader producing silver
• Silver production in India is largely in Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh

Mica

• A non-metallic mineral, India is the largest producer, contributing over 60% of the world's mica
• Mica is composed of plates and leaves
• It can be converted into thin sheets
• It comes in black, green, red, yellow, or brown
• Due to its di-electric strength, insulating properties, and high resistance its used
• It is found in mines from China, USA, South Korea in the world
• Mica deposits are found in Rajasthan, India and Andhra Pradesh

Manganese

• Used for making iron and steel and increases the strength of steel

South Africa

• Largest producer of manganese, with other producers including China and Australia
• Manganese from India is high in quality

Limestone

• Is associated with rocks composed of either calcium carbonate or magnesium, or a mixture of the two
• It is used in sedimentary rocks for a range of purposes.

Uses of Limestone

• Basic input in the cement industry, aggregate or base for roads and foundations
• It is used in purification of Molten in Glass.
• Used to make portland cement, in concrete, and in construction

Countries that Produce Limestone

• China is largest, then the USA, Russia and Japan
• Top producers in India are Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat

Mining

• Process of removing usefull material from the Earth
• Includes the land and sea.

Open-Cast Mining

• Suits minerals close to the surface, clearing all area from vegetation with exposed material that is dug out

Underground Mining

• Tunnels dug so the ground above will not move, creating access for workers and machinery
• Ore is drilled and blasted and pillars hold up the roof

Drilling

• Deep mineral bearing wells are bored to extract the oil and mineral gas from Earth

Quarrying

• Is where surface based rocks and minerals are removed from the Earth

Conservation of Minerals

• We depend on these for life as a mineral
• Mineral deposits are limited.
• Use of minerals can leave to pollution
• Use sustainable alternatives to preserve mineral resources

Actions to Minimize Pollution

• Use alternative energy, like wind, solar and tidal
• Use non-polluting transport like bikes and boats
• Plant more trees
• Use biodegradable bags
• Travel to school and the market on foot
• Recycling of old materials is a key aspect of mineral conservation
• Coal is an important source of energy