Geography

Geography - Minerals

Minerals: A mineral is a solid, naturally occurring inorganic substance having a well-defined crystalline structure and chemical composition. The amorphous and biogenic substances are still not considered minerals though a debate is going in this aspect. Minerals can be classified as metallic and non-metallic minerals.
Metallic minerals are shiny, ductile (can be deformed without losing toughness), malleable (can be pressed into shape without breaking) . They are generally obtained from igneous rocks. They can be melted to obtain metals. They are good conductors of heat and electricity. Metallic minerals can be classified as ferrous and non-ferrous minerals. Ferrous minerals contain iron and non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron.
Non-metallic minerals are not shiny, not ductile and non-malleable. They are generally obtained from sedimentary rocks. They do not give any product on melting. They are bad conductors of heat and electricity.

Element in earth’s crust

Percentage (approximately)

Oxygen

47

Silicon

28

Aluminium

8

Iron

5

Calcium

4

Sodium

3

Potassium

2

Magnesium

2

Others

1

Ferrous metallic minerals (contain iron):
Iron:
Most of the iron is used to make steel. Important iron ores are hematite (red), magnetite (black), siderite (pale brown), limonite (brown). Hematite and magnetite are most common types of ores. Australia is the leading producer of iron ore in the world. Other major producers are Brazil, China, India, Russia, South Africa and Ukraine. Major iron ore producing states in India are Chhattisgarh and Orissa
Steel:
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Steel is used in automobile industry, ship building, locomotives, furniture etc. China, India, Japan, USA, Russia and South Korea are major producers in the world. Odisha is the major producer.

Non-ferrrous metallic minerals (do not contain iron):
Carbon:
It is used in iron and steel industry to smelt iron. It can be used in refrigerants, lubricants, solvents. It can be used in manufacture of plastics and petrochemicals. USA, China, Russia, Germany and UK are the major contributors in the world. Gujarat, Odisha and Chhattisgarh are the major contributors in India.
Aluminium:
It is the 3rd most abundant element in earth’s crust. Used in industries like transportation, construction, packaging and electrical. It is also used in manufacturing utensils. Bauxite is the primary aluminium ore. Other ores are cryolite, corundum, feldspar, alunite and kaolinite. Some of the largest producers of aluminium in the world are China, India, Russia, Canada and UAE. In India Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh are largest producers of aluminium
Copper:
Copper is used in electrical industry, construction, plumbing, industrial machinery etc. Copper ores are cuprite, malachite, chalcopyrite and copper glance. Chile, Peru, China, Congo and USA are the leading producers of copper in the world. Madhya Pradesh is the leading producer of copper in India. Other states are Rajasthan and Jharkhand.
Lead:
Used in manufacture of automotive and industrial batteries. It is used in glass industry and rubber industry. Also used in shielding radiation and sound. The ores are galena and anglesite. China, Australia, Peru, USA, Mexico and Russia are the leading producers of lead in the world. Rajasthan is the leading producer in India. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu also contribute to the production.

Nickel:
Used in making alloys such as stainless steel, batteries, Armour plating and boats. Nickel ores are Pentlandite and Garnierite. Indonesia, Philippine and Russia are the leading producers of nickel in the world. Odisha is the leading producer of nickel in India. Jharkhand and Nagaland also produce nickel.
Tin:
Tin is used in aerospace, construction, electronics, home décor, jewellery and telecommunication. Cassiterite is the ore of tin. China, Indonesia, Peru and Bolivia are the leading producers of tin in the world. The state of Chhattisgarh produces tin in India.
Zinc:
It is used in alloying, galvanized sheets, dry batteries, rubber industry etc. Zinc ores are calamine, zinc blende and zincite. China, Australia, Peru, India, USA and Mexico are leading producers of zinc in the world. Rajasthan is the largest producer of Zinc in India.
Chromite:
It can used as refractory material. It is used in steel manufacturing and in producing alloys. Leading producers of chromite in the world are South Africa, Kazakhstan, India, Turkey and Russia. In India, most of the resources of chromite are in Odisha.
Manganese:
It is mostly used in the Steel Industry. The leading producers of manganese in the world are South Africa, Gabon, Australia, China and Ukraine. In India, Madhya Pradesh is the leading producer of manganese. Other states are Maharashtra and Odisha.
Titanium:
It is used in aerospace, oil and gas, power and medical industries. USA, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Japan and China are the leading producers. In India Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are the producers

Diamond:
It is used in construction, computers, machinery manufacturing and mining industries. Russia, Botswana, Canada, Angola and South Africa are the leading producers in the world. Madhya Pradesh is the leading producer in India.
Gold:
It is used in aerospace, automotive, electronics and medical industries. China, Australia, Russia and USA are leading producers in the world. Bihar, Rajasthan and Karnataka are the leading producers in India.
Silver:
It is used in plumbing, mobile phones, clothing, computers industries. Mexico is the leading producer. Mexico, China and Peru are leading producers. Rajasthan and Jharkhand are leading producers in India.
Platinum:
It is used in jewellery, aerospace, automobile, electronics and medical industries. South Africa is the leading producer. Russia, Zimbabwe and Canada also produce Platinum. Odisha, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are leading producers in India.
Cobalt:
It is used in petroleum, automobile, paints industries. Democratic Republic of Congo is the leading producer. Odisha is the leading producer. Jharkhand and Nagaland also produce cobalt.
Mercury:
It is used in medical, paints, paper and electrical industries. China and Tajikistan are leading producers.

 

Tungsten:
It is used in the production of alloys. It is used in automotive, aerospace, electrical and electronics industries. China is the leading producer. Karnataka, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh are the leading producers.
Lithium:
It is used in production of batteries which are used in different industries. Chile is the leading producer. Australia, Argentina and China also produce lithium. Gujarat producer lithium in India.
Germanium:
It is used in manufacture of plastics, manufacture of transistors and rectifiers. China is the leading producer. Canada, Finland, Russia and USA also produce germanium. Jharkhand is the producer in India.
Selenium:
It is used in computer industry. Japan, Germany and Belgium are leading producers. Jharkhand is the producer in India.
Quartz:
It is used in jewellery, glass making, Petroleum industry and refractory industry. China, India, Brazil and Turkey are the leading producers. Andhra Pradesh is leading producer in India. Also, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal produce quartz
Gypsum:
It is used in paper and construction industries. It is used in agriculture. USA, China and Iran are the leading producers. Rajasthan is the leading producer in India.

Mica:
It is used in automotive, electronics, plastic and rubber industries. India is the largest producer of Mica in the world. Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan are the leading producers of Mica in India.
Boron:
It is used in glass, pharmaceuticals and ceramics industries. It is used in agriculture. USA and Turkey are the leading producers. Karnataka is the leading producer in India.
Sulphur:
It is used in chemical and manufacturing industries. China is the leading producer. Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are the leading producers.
Potash:
It is used in manufacture of glass, ceramic, rubber, soap and detergents. Canada, Russia, Belarus and China are the largest producers. Rajasthan is the leading producer in India.
Dolomite:
It is used in construction, steel, glass, ceramics and rubber industries. Belgium, China, Spain, UK and Canada are the leading producers. In India, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are the leading producers.
Brass:
It is used in automotive and music industries. Chile, Peru and China are the leading producers in the world. In India, Madhya Pradesh is the leading producer.

Bronze:
It is used in shipping and automobile industries. Chile, Peru and China are the leading producers in the world. In India, Madhya Pradesh is the leading producer.