Summary of Minerals and Energy Resources
- Definition of Minerals: Homogenous, naturally occurring substances with a definable internal structure.
- Types of Minerals:
- Metallic:
- Ferrous (e.g., iron ore, manganese)
- Non-Ferrous (e.g., copper, lead)
- Precious (e.g., gold, silver)
- Non-Metallic (e.g., mica, salt, limestone)
- Energy Minerals (e.g., coal, petroleum)
- Metallic:
- Importance of Minerals:
- Essential for daily life and various industries.
- Used in construction, manufacturing, and energy production.
- Energy Resources:
- Conventional: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydel and thermal electricity.
- Non-Conventional: Solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas, atomic energy.
- Coal in India:
- Major energy source, found in Gondwana and tertiary deposits.
- Types include bituminous, metallurgical, and anthracite coal.
- Environmental Impact of Mining:
- Health risks for miners (pulmonary diseases).
- Environmental degradation (water contamination, land degradation).
- Conservation of Mineral Resources:
- Need for sustainable practices and recycling of metals.