Mineral resources are defined as naturally occurring substances that are extracted from beneath the surface of the earth having certain economic relevance. Such resources nowadays lay the foundations of the mighty industrial economies that are raw material providers for many industries. The research of mineral resources is of extreme importance for defining the genesis and evolution of the Earth’s crust and surface. It is done by separation of minerals, mining, and processing to cater to societal needs. Most mineral resources you come across can be of different classes, such as metals like iron and copper, and non-metallic minerals such as limestone and gypsum, each with its own industrial use. Knowing these starts is fundamental to the sustainability process and safeguarding the earth for the generations to come.

Important Terms Related to Mineral Resources

Here are detailed definitions for each term related to mineral resources:

1. Mineral Resources: Those substances (gases, metals, and minerals, obtainable in commercial quantities) that are considered by underground developments. These mineral types contain metal and non-metal, owing to their characteristics.

2. Ore: A rock that surely contains of a mineral that deserves the inception of mining operation. The residue undergoes micromachining to discard the undesired machines and the rest is utilized in current other industry sectors.

3. Reserves: The mineral resources with current economic in terms of the production costs by using the current technology. Creating a reserve involves the consideration of variables like the grade of the mine as well as available market and technology factors when it comes to mining and processing.

4. Exploration: The probing of the ground in different ways geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and drilling. Exploration helps demonstrate prospective regions of mining before digging starts, and hence uses data on known targets for mining with the quantity and quality already studied.

5. Mining: As the resources from the earth’s core are retrieved so as to create minerals. Mining processes typically stage overburden extraction (stones and soil removal) as the first step of mining. Later, the mineral is obtained using a range of mining methods. Finally, the processing of the ore happens to split the needed mineral from all other minerals.

6. Metallic Minerals: The search for minerals bearing metals in its chemical composition is the primary activity of mining. The list of the mentioned minerals including iron ore, copper and gold is for production processes mostly used for making steel, electric apparatus and jewelry.

7. Non-Metallic Minerals: Non-metal minerals that forms industrial use items like buildings and roads, agro inputs and consumer products. For instance, calcium carbonate (limestone), calcium sulfate (gypsum), and phyllosilicate minerals (mica) are important as constituents of construction materials, fertilizers, and electrical insulation, respectively.

Types of Mineral Resources

There are two main categories both in metallic and non-metallic minerals there are lots of categories:

Metallic Minerals

• Ferrous Minerals: Examples would be iron ore, manganese and chrome. In that sense, iron ore could be picked as the prime of all raw materials which are used for steel production. India is second only to Brazil in the list of the countries with the largest deposits of iron ore which fact makes India one of the leading producers of iron ore of the world.
• Non-Ferrous Minerals: These organizations include ours with copper, and other associations concerned with lead, zinc and gold. Unlike a natural stone from mountains is an example of a mineral, it is used in all forms of industries. The copper electrical wiring as well as the plumbing in the building can be attributed to the fact that the metal is highly conductive meaning that there is free flow of electricity and it has good corrosion resistance attributes.

Non-Metallic Minerals

• Fuel Minerals: Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are the examples of fossil fuels. These minerals are the primary sources of energy for industries and households and are exploited for the production of new materials. India is among the largest coal-producing nations in the world with mainly central Indian states such as Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh holding a great coal fortunes.
• Non-Fuel Minerals: Whilst limestone, gypsum, and mica are in abundance, there are many other minerals present. Apart from this, industrial growth also mandates the use of inorganic resources for building and road materials, among other uses. For example, it is clear why dolomite has so many applications which include the use as an ingredient in cement brand as it has the properties of abundance and durability.

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FAQs on Class 12 Geography Notes Chapter 5 Types of Mineral Resources

Which metals are they different from the non-metals and what are those metals?

While metallic minerals contain of metallic elements like gold, copper, and iron, which could be found in the nonmetallic mine which is does not contain such metallic elements. In all of that, the principal may come in different forms depending on its chemical properties and characteristics.

What is the major use of metallic minerals in different sectors?

The spectrum of metal minerals industrial applications is extremely wide. In the production of steel, wireless and precious (solid) metals iron ore, copper and gold are the most popular metals.

Among the types of industrial development, robust use of non-metallic minerals is also important.

Natural mineral resources being the backbone of many ventures, non-metallic minerals cannot be separated with an industrial world. Similarly, limestone occurs in cement, gypsum is in the constructions materials, and micas are in electrical insulations.

What are the biggest issues in the exploitation and processing of precious minerals?

For mineral mining there are potential problems connected with environment consequences, land destruction and aboriginal resources depletion. Environmentally- friendly mining practices have becoming the very important factor for solving these problems.

How does the distribution of mineral resources contribute to or stress the economies of the world?

The distribution of mineral resources constitutes the basis of the economic reality of countries across the world. Those countries which are sufficiently rich for mineral resources have usually got an advantage over others in terms of production and international trade. Indeed, the unequal distribution of the economics can give rise to uneven economic disparities between the countries.

What differentiates the where mineral deposits are to be found?

The location of the natural mineral deposits is greatly affected by the geological processes such as volcanic activities and plate tectonics, as well as the environmental variables like climate and the topography. Exploration techniques enable the detection of possible mineral deposits depending on which of the factors took place earlier.

What are the smart mining practices that will help in the protection of mineral resources?

Sustainable mining methods comprises the following: conscious minimization of negative environmental consequences, restoration of mined areas and thoughtful resource management. Implementation of reduced consumption and reuse practices serves to preserve mineral resources for our coming generations.