Metallic Minerals

Classification of minerals: Minerals are mainly classified as Metallic, Non-Metallic and Energy Minerals.

Metallic Minerals: Minerals containing metals are called metallic minerals, like gold, silver, tungsten, etc . These are further classified as-

Ferrous minerals

Non-ferrous minerals.

Ferrous Minerals: Metallic minerals having iron content are called ferrous minerals. A ferro - alloy is an alloy of iron with some other metals. These minerals account for about three-fourths of the total value of the production of metallic minerals. After meeting the internal demands, India exports a fairly large amount of ferrous minerals. These minerals have much importance as they -provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical industries . The distribution of ferrous minerals — Iron ore and manganese is discussed below:

Iron Ore: It is the basic mineral and the backbone of industrial development. India has abundant resources of good quality iron ore. The finest iron ore is magnetite, with a very high content of iron upto 70%. Magnetite has excellent magnetic qualities, especially valuable in the electrical industry. Hematite ore has a content of iron up to 50-60%. It most important industrial iron ore in terms of the quantity used, but has slightly lower iron content than magnetite. Iron Ore Belts in India:

Odisha-Jharkhand Belt: In Odisha, high grade hematite ore is found in Badampahar mines in the Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts. In the adjoining Singbhum district of Jharkhand haematite iron ore is mined in Gua and Noamundi.

Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt: It lies in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Very high grade hematites are found in the famous Bailadila range of hills in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. The range of hills comprises of 14 deposits of super high grade haematite iron ore. It has the best physical properties needed for making steel. Iron ore from these mines is exported to Japan and South Korea via Vishakhapatnam port.

Ballari-Chitradurga-Chikkamagaluru Tumakuru Belt: Karnataka has large reserves of iron ore. The Kudremukh mines are located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka are a 100% export unit and are known to be one of the largest in the world. The ore from this belt is transported as slurry through a pipeline to a port near Mangaluru.

Maharashtra- Goa Belt: It includes the state of Goa and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Though, the ores are not of very high quality, yet they can be efficiently used. From this belt, iron ore is exported through Marmagao port.

Manganese: Manganese is a metallic element used in manufacturing of steel and ferro-manganese alloys. Nearly 10 kg of manganese is required to manufacture 1 tonne of steel. Manganese is also used in manufacturing insecticides, bleaching powder and paints. The states that produce maximum manganese in India are Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. India ranks fifth in the world in production of manganese and Odisha is the largest producer of manganese ores in India.

Non - Ferrous Minerals: India has only a few reserves of non-ferrous minerals that are not very adequate. However, these minerals which include (e.g. copper, zinc, bauxite and gold) play a vital role in various industries, i.e. metallurgical, engineering and electrical industries. The distribution of non-ferrous minerals i.e. copper and bauxite are:

Copper: Copper is an important mineral due to its excellent electrical conductivity. It is used in manufacturing of electrical cables and in electronics and chemical industries. The leading producers of copper in India are Khetri mines in Rajasthan, Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh and Singhbhum district of Jharkhand .

Bauxite: Bauxite used for obtaining aluminium is formed by decomposition of rocks rich in aluminium silicates. Bauxite is a clay-like substance from which alumina is extracted firstly and later alumina becomes aluminium. Aluminium is known for its strength and lightness. It is widely used in manufacturing of utensils, electrical goods, etc. Aluminium is an important metal because it combines the strength of metals such as iron with extreme lightness, good conductivity and great malleability. Amarkantak plateau, Maikal hills and the plateau region of Bilaspur-Katni are the main areas of bauxite deposits. Odisha is the largest bauxite producing state in India with 34.97% of the country’s total production in 2009-10. Panchpatmali deposits in Koraput district is the most important centres of bauxite deposits in Odisha.

Interesting Fact about Aluminium: After the discovery of aluminium, Emperor Napoleon Ill wore buttons and hooks on his clothes made of aluminium. He served food to his more important guests in aluminium utensils and the less honourable ones were served in gold and silver utensils. Thirty years after this incident, aluminium bowls were most common with the beggars in Paris.

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

The famous Bailadila range of Hills in the Bastar district of Chattisgarh is famous for its _____________
A. Bauxite deposits		B. High grade haematite deposits
C. Manganese deposits		D. Copper deposits
Right Option : B
View Explanation

Question : 2

Manganese ore in bulk is exported from _________________
A. Marmagoa	B. Vishapkapatnam	C. Cochin	D. Both (a) and (b)
Right Option : D
View Explanation

Question : 3

From which of the following mines iron ore is exported to Japan through Vishakhapatnam port ?
A. Palamu	B. Dhanbad	C. Rajahal	D. Bailadila in Bastar district
Right Option : D
View Explanation