Mineral Resources

Minerals are natural substances of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties.

Two characteristics of minerals are-

1. Minerals are not evenly distributed over space.
2. Minerals have inverse relationship in quality and quantity.

The three varieties of iron ore mined in India are-

1. Haematite — It is found in Odisha.

2. Magnetite — It is found in Tamil Nadu.

3. Limonite — It is found in Uttarakhand.

(i) Magnetite is the best quality of iron ore.

(ii) It is found in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Copper is a non-ferrous metal. It is found in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Aluminium is used in aircrafts and automobiles.

(i) Manganese is an important raw material in the iron and steel industry because it is used to make steel tough and resistant to rusting.

(ii) Bauxite is used in electrical equipment industry because it is a good conductor of electricity.

(iii) Raw iron needs to be alloyed in order to be useful in construction and automobile industry because raw iron by itself is not as strong and hard as needed for construction and automobile industry.

Bauxite is an oxide of aluminium. The deposits of Bauxite are found in Goa, Odisha, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Copper is alloyed with zinc to form brass and with tin to make bronze.

Two uses of copper are-

1. It is used in building construction for roofing and plumbing.
2. It is used in ship-building industry.

Two leading states producing manganese are Karnataka and Odisha.

Two industrial uses of manganese are-

1. It is an important raw material for the iron and steel industry.
2. It is used in chemical industries for manufacturing bleaching powder.

(i) Magnetite is so called because it possesses magnetic property.

(ii) Copper is used for making electric wires because it is a good conductor of electricity, highly malleable and ductile.

(iii) Manganese is a ferrous mineral while Copper is a non-ferrous mineral. They have a distinct composition and hence, different physical and chemical properties.

(i) Two characteristics of iron ore deposits in India that facilitate their optimum use in the iron and steel plants are-

1. Iron ore deposits occur as hill masses and are easily accessible.
2. They are found in close proximity to the areas producing coal, dolomite, limestone and manganese.

(ii) Two industries that require iron ore as raw material are iron and steel industries.

Following are the environmental impacts of mining and mineral use:

1. Deforestation and Loss of Biodiversity
2. Soil Erosion and Land Degradation
3. Air and Water Pollution
4. Health Hazards
5. Formation of Mine Wastelands
6. Climate Change contribution

Economic Uses of Iron Ore —

1. About 90 per cent of iron ore is used to make steel. Raw iron by itself is not as strong and hard as needed for construction and other purposes. So it is alloyed with other elements to strengthen and harden it, making it useful for construction, automobiles and other forms of transportation such as trucks, trains and train tracks.
2. Powdered iron is used in manufacturing metallurgy products, magnets, high frequency cores, auto parts and catalysts.
3. Radioactive iron (iron is 59 per cent) is used in medicine as tracer element and in biochemical and metallurgical research.
4. Iron blue is used in paints, printing inks, plastics, cosmetics (eye shadow), artist colours, laundry blue, paper dyeing, fertilizer ingredient, baked enamel finishes for autos and appliances and industrial finishes.
5. Black iron oxide is used as pigment in polishing compounds, metallurgy, medicine, and magnetic inks.

The different methods to conserve minerals are as follows:

1. Judicious and Planned Use – Minerals should be extracted and used carefully to minimize wastage.
2. Recycling of Minerals – Used metals like iron, copper, and aluminum should be recycled to reduce the need for fresh mining.
3. Use of Substitutes – Alternative materials should be used wherever possible to reduce mineral consumption.
4. Improved Mining Techniques – Advanced methods should be used to extract minerals efficiently and reduce losses.
5. Reclamation of Mined Areas – After mining, the land should be restored and rehabilitated to conserve mineral resources.
6. Government Regulations – Strict policies should be enforced to prevent over-extraction and promote conservation.

(i) Bauxite.

(ii) Aluminium is extracted from Bauxite and Aluminium being light weight, strong and rust-resistant makes it suitable for building aircrafts.

physical

lesser

Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.

Explanation — Iron ore's importance comes from its role in industrialization and infrastructure development, not just its availability. That is why Reason (R) does not explain Assertion (A).

Iron ore

Haematite

Magnetite

Magnetite

Steel

Mormugao

iron

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation — Aluminium's properties of being lightweight, strong and rust resistant make it the best material for making telescopes.

Iron

Manganese

manganese

Manganese

Copper

All of the above

Copper

I would recommend developing iron and steel industry in my state because of the following reasons:

1. My state has adequate deposits of iron ore, coal, dolomite, limestone and manganese. This will cut down importing costs.
2. The area is well connected by roads and railways. Thus transportation will be hassle free.
3. Labour at reasonable wages can be employed from nearby areas.
4. Availability of a nearby port will facilitate export of finished products.

Iron and Steel industry can be developed in my area because of the following reasons:

1. The raw material will be easily available. Iron ore, fuel and flux supplies can be obtained at low costs.
2. The area has two exporting ports which means that it well connected with hassle free transportation.
3. Labour at reasonable wages can be employed from nearby areas.
4. The ports will make exporting of finished steel cost effective.

The household items that could be reused by repairing, recycling or refurbishing are as follows:

1. Furniture — Old or damaged furniture can be repaired or refurbished instead of being thrown away.
2. Clothing — Clothes that are ripped or worn can often be repaired or repurposed into something new like cloth bags, pillow covers, bags or quilts etc. They can also be used as cleaning rags.
3. Cardboard boxes — They can be reused for storage or as a makeshift drawer divider.
4. Plastic containers — They can be reused for storing leftovers, packing lunch boxes, or as planters for small plants.
5. Electronics — Many electronics can be repaired instead of being replaced.
6. Kitchenware — Items such as pots, pans, and dishes can often be repaired instead of being thrown away.
7. Garden tools — Many garden tools can be repaired or refurbished instead of being thrown away.

The benefits of repairing, recycling or refurbishing household items are as follows:

1. Environmental benefits — Repairing, recycling, or refurbishing items reduces waste in landfills and conserves natural resources.
2. Cost savings — Repairing or refurbishing items can save money on buying new items.
3. Preservation of sentimental value — Repairing or refurbishing sentimental items such as furniture or toys can preserve their sentimental value and memories.
4. Skills development — Repairing items can develop valuable DIY skills and knowledge.
5. Contribution to the circular economy — By repairing, recycling, or refurbishing items, you are contributing to the circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible.