Chapter 5: Minerals and Energy Resources
Complete NCERT textbook questions with model answers for Class 10 Geography Chapter 5. These solutions follow CBSE marking scheme patterns and show how to structure answers for 1, 3, and 5 marks questions. Focus on answer writing technique rather than just memorizing content.
Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)
Exam Tip: 1-mark answers should be precise, direct, and not exceed 20-30 words. No explanation needed.
Answer: (c) Bauxite
Answer: (b) Mica
Answer: (c) Thorium
Answer: (c) Gypsum
Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)
Exam Tip: Write one-word or one-sentence answers. No elaboration required.
Answer: Ferrous minerals contain iron (iron ore, manganese), while non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron (copper, bauxite).
Answer: Minerals found in sands of valley floors and base of hills, e.g., gold, silver, tin, platinum.
Answer: Magnetite (contains 70% iron).
Answer: Low grade brown coal; Found in Tamil Nadu (Neyveli).
Answer: Traditional energy sources used for long time; Examples: Coal, petroleum, natural gas.
Short Answer Questions (3 Marks)
Exam Tip: 3-mark answers should be 60-80 words with clear points. Structure: Introduction + 2-3 points + Conclusion.
Answer: Metallic minerals contain metals in raw form and can be melted to obtain new products, while non-metallic minerals do not contain metals and are used in their natural form for various industrial applications.
| Aspect | Metallic Minerals | Non-Metallic Minerals |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Contain metals in chemical composition | Do not contain metals, composed of other elements |
| Properties | • Hard, shiny, malleable • Good conductors of heat/electricity • Can be melted and reshaped |
• Not shiny or malleable • Poor conductors • Cannot be melted into new products |
| Examples | • Iron ore (hematite, magnetite) • Copper • Bauxite (aluminum ore) • Gold, Silver • Manganese |
• Mica • Limestone • Gypsum • Potash • Salt |
| Uses | Manufacturing metals for industries (steel, aluminum, copper products) | Cement industry, fertilizers, chemicals, construction, electrical insulation |
| Indian Distribution | Iron: Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh Bauxite: Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand |
Mica: Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan Limestone: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan |
This distinction is crucial for industrial planning as metallic minerals form the basis of metallurgical industries while non-metallic minerals support chemical, fertilizer, and construction industries.
Answer: India urgently needs to transition to renewable energy due to the limitations of conventional sources, energy security concerns, environmental imperatives, and the need to meet growing energy demand sustainably for economic development.
| Reason Category | Specific Reasons | Supporting Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Depletion of Conventional Sources | • Fossil fuels are finite and depleting • India imports 85% of its oil needs • Coal reserves may last only 100-150 years |
• Rising import bills affect economy • Energy security vulnerabilities • Need for sustainable alternatives |
| Environmental Concerns | • Fossil fuels cause air pollution and climate change • India's commitment to Paris Agreement • Need to reduce carbon footprint |
• 7 of world's 10 most polluted cities in India • Target: 40% non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 • Net zero by 2070 commitment |
| Growing Energy Demand | • Rapid industrialization and urbanization • Increasing per capita energy consumption • Electrification of transportation |
• Energy demand growing at 4.2% annually • 300 million people still lack electricity access • EV adoption requires clean electricity |
| Economic Benefits | • Renewable energy becoming cost-competitive • Job creation in green energy sector • Rural electrification opportunities |
• Solar power cheaper than coal in many cases • 3 million jobs potential in solar sector by 2030 • Decentralized energy for remote areas |
| Geographical Advantages | • Abundant solar potential (300 sunny days) • Long coastline for wind and tidal energy • Agricultural waste for biomass |
• Solar potential: 750 GW • Wind potential: 302 GW • Biomass potential: 18 GW |
The National Solar Mission and other renewable energy initiatives reflect India's strategic shift toward sustainable energy to ensure energy security, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.
Answer: India has significant coal reserves distributed unevenly across different geological formations, with distinct varieties (anthracite, bituminous, lignite) found in specific regions, supporting the country's energy and industrial needs.
| Coal Variety | Characteristics | Major Producing Regions | Uses/Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthracite | • Highest quality (90% carbon) • Hard, black, shiny • Burns without smoke • Least available in India |
• Jammu & Kashmir (small quantities) • Not commercially significant |
• Metallurgical purposes • Domestic heating • Limited applications due to scarcity |
| Bituminous | • Most common type (60-80% carbon) • Dense, black, sometimes banded • Used for coking and steam generation |
• Jharkhand (Jharia, Raniganj) • West Bengal (Raniganj) • Odisha (Talcher) • Chhattisgarh (Korba) • Madhya Pradesh (Singrauli) |
• Steel production (coking coal) • Thermal power plants • Railway engines (historically) • Industrial fuel |
| Lignite | • Low grade (60-70% carbon) • Brown coal, high moisture • Burns with smoke • Lower calorific value |
• Tamil Nadu (Neyveli) • Rajasthan (Palana) • Gujarat (Kutch) • Jammu & Kashmir |
• Thermal power generation • Fertilizer production • Converted to gas/liquid fuels • Brick manufacturing |
| Peat | • Lowest quality (<60% carbon) • High moisture and ash • First stage of coal formation |
• Northern states (small deposits) • Not commercially mined |
• Limited industrial use • Soil conditioner • Fuel in rural areas |
Geological Distribution: Gondwana coals (bituminous) in eastern India (Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha) account for 98% of reserves, while tertiary coals (lignite) in southern and western states are younger formations. Jharia in Jharkhand has India's best coking coal, essential for steel industry.
Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)
Exam Tip: 5-mark answers need 120-150 words with proper structure: Introduction, 4-5 main points with examples, and conclusion.
Answer: Energy fuels economic development by powering industries, transportation, and households, with India possessing diverse conventional and non-conventional energy resources that must be strategically developed to support sustainable growth while addressing energy security and environmental challenges.
Non-Conventional Energy Resources in India:
Policy Support: National Solar Mission (target: 100 GW by 2022, extended), Wind Energy Policy, biomass programs, and international initiatives like International Solar Alliance. Challenges include grid integration, storage technology, financing, and balancing development with environmental concerns. India aims for 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030 as part of its climate commitments.
Answer: Mineral conservation is crucial because minerals are non-renewable, finite resources essential for industrial development, economic growth, and national security, requiring sustainable management to ensure availability for future generations while minimizing environmental impacts.
| Importance of Conservation | Reasons/Implications | Indian Context Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Finite Nature | • Minerals take millions of years to form • Once exhausted, cannot be replenished • Current consumption rates unsustainable |
• High-grade iron ore may exhaust in 30-40 years • Copper reserves limited • Import dependence increasing for many minerals |
| Economic Necessity | • Minerals fuel industrial growth • Raw materials for infrastructure development • Export earnings from mineral exports • Employment in mining sector |
• Steel industry depends on iron ore and coal • Aluminum industry needs bauxite • Cement industry requires limestone • 0.7% GDP from mining sector |
| Environmental Protection | • Mining causes land degradation, deforestation • Water pollution from mine drainage • Air pollution from mineral processing • Waste generation and disposal issues |
• Jharia coal mines fire causing pollution • Iron ore mining in Goa affecting forests • Bauxite mining threatening tribal habitats |
| Strategic Importance | • Essential for defense industries • Reduce import dependence for critical minerals • Ensure supply chain security • Support energy transition technologies |
• Thorium reserves for nuclear program • Rare earth elements for electronics • Lithium for battery storage • Coking coal for steel (strategic import) |
Three Key Conservation Measures:
1. Improved Mining Technology:
Adopt sustainable mining practices like surface mining with rehabilitation, in-situ leaching to reduce waste, and automation to improve recovery rates. Example: Use of conveyor belts instead of trucks in some mines reduces fuel consumption and environmental impact.
2. Recycling and Reuse:
Promote circular economy through metal recycling programs. Scrap steel recycling saves 74% energy compared to virgin production. Aluminum recycling saves 95% energy. Establish formal e-waste recycling systems to recover precious metals from electronic devices.
3. Substitution and Alternative Materials:
Develop alternatives to scarce minerals - fiber optics代替copper wires, plastic pipes代替metal pipes, renewable energy代替fossil fuels. Promote resource-efficient technologies in manufacturing to reduce mineral intensity per unit of output.
Additional Measures: Scientific exploration to discover new deposits, export restrictions on raw minerals to encourage value addition, community participation in mining decisions, and strict enforcement of environmental regulations through agencies like the Indian Bureau of Mines.
Map-Based Question
Important: Map questions carry 2-3 marks. Always label clearly and include a key/legend if needed.
a) Major iron ore producing areas
b) Major bauxite producing areas
c) Major coal producing areas
d) Oil fields
e) Nuclear power plants
[Image: Outline map of India showing mineral and energy resource locations]
Map showing: Iron ore (Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh), Bauxite (Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand), Coal (Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh), Oil (Mumbai High, Assam, Gujarat), Nuclear plants (Tarapur, Kudankulam, Kalpakkam, Rawatbhata, Kaiga)
Answer Key for Map:
- Major iron ore producing areas: Odisha (Keonjhar, Sundergarh), Jharkhand (Singhbhum), Chhattisgarh (Bailadila), Karnataka (Bellary)
- Major bauxite producing areas: Odisha (Koraput, Sambalpur), Gujarat (Kutch, Jamnagar), Jharkhand (Lohardaga), Maharashtra
- Major coal producing areas: Jharkhand (Jharia, Raniganj), West Bengal (Raniganj), Odisha (Talcher), Chhattisgarh (Korba), Madhya Pradesh (Singrauli)
- Oil fields: Mumbai High (offshore), Assam (Digboi, Naharkatiya), Gujarat (Ankleshwar, Kalol), Rajasthan (Barmer)
- Nuclear power plants: Tarapur (Maharashtra), Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu), Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu), Rawatbhata (Rajasthan), Kaiga (Karnataka), Narora (UP)
Extra Practice Questions
Answer: Iron ore and manganese are crucial metallic minerals for India's industrial development, with iron ore being the backbone of the steel industry while manganese serves as an essential alloying element, both having distinct distribution patterns and economic significance.
| Aspect | Iron Ore | Manganese |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Importance | • Primary raw material for steel production • Used in construction, machinery, automobiles • Basis for heavy industries • Strategic material for infrastructure |
• Essential for steel making as alloy (removes oxygen) • Manufacture of dry batteries • Chemical industry (potassium permanganate) • Pigment in paints and ceramics |
| Types/Varieties | • Magnetite (70% Fe, magnetic) • Hematite (50-60% Fe, most important) • Limonite and Siderite (low grade) |
• Pyrolusite (most important ore) • Psilomelane • Manganite • Braunite |
| Major Producing States | 1. Odisha: 52% of production (Keonjhar, Sundergarh) 2. Chhattisgarh: 17% (Bailadila, Durg) 3. Karnataka: 14% (Bellary, Chikmagalur) 4. Jharkhand: 11% (Singhbhum, Palamu) 5. Others: Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh |
1. Odisha: 37% (Sundergarh, Kalahandi) 2. Madhya Pradesh: 22% (Balaghat, Chhindwara) 3. Maharashtra: 15% (Nagpur, Bhandara) 4. Karnataka: 14% (Bellary, Chitradurga) 5. Others: Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Jharkhand |
| Reserves & Production | • Reserves: 34 billion tonnes (5th globally) • Production: 246 million tonnes (2022) • Export: 2nd largest exporter after Australia • Main export destinations: China, Japan, South Korea |
• Reserves: 560 million tonnes (7th globally) • Production: 3.2 million tonnes (2022) • Export: Significant exporter • Import: Also imports high-grade manganese |
| Key Mining Areas | • Odisha: Iron ore belt (Keonjhar-Mayurbhanj) • Karnataka: Bellary-Hospet region • Chhattisgarh: Bailadila range (14 deposits) • Jharkhand: Noamundi, Gua |
• Madhya Pradesh: Balaghat district (largest) • Maharashtra: Nagpur-Bhandara belt • Odisha: Bonai-Keonjhar belt • Karnataka: Sandur basin |
| Challenges | • Depletion of high-grade ores • Environmental concerns from mining • Illegal mining issues • Infrastructure constraints for transport |
• Declining ore grades • Small and scattered deposits • Competition from imports • Technological constraints in processing |
Synergistic Relationship: Manganese is essential for converting iron ore into steel (6-9 kg manganese needed per tonne of steel). Most steel plants are located near both iron ore and manganese sources, like Bhilai (Chhattisgarh) and Rourkela (Odisha), highlighting their complementary distribution and industrial interdependence.
Answer: Mineral extraction in India has caused significant environmental degradation including land disturbance, water pollution, and air contamination, necessitating adoption of sustainable mining practices that balance resource development with ecological protection and community welfare.
| Environmental Impact | Specific Problems | Affected Regions Examples | Sustainable Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land Degradation | • Deforestation and habitat loss • Soil erosion and loss of topsoil • Creation of mine voids and pits • Waste dumps occupying land • Loss of agricultural land |
• Goa iron ore mining: forest destruction • Jharkhand coal mines: large pits • Bellary (Karnataka): landscape alteration • Sand mining: riverbed destruction |
• Progressive reclamation during mining • Backfilling of mined areas • Land restoration with native species • Concurrent rehabilitation plans |
| Water Pollution | • Acid mine drainage (sulfides oxidation) • Siltation of water bodies • Contamination with heavy metals • Groundwater depletion and pollution • Alteration of hydrological systems |
• Sukinda Valley (Odisha): hexavalent chromium in water • Coal mines: acid drainage polluting rivers • Kolar gold fields: cyanide contamination • Jaduguda (Jharkhand): radioactive waste |
• Treatment of mine water before discharge • Zero discharge mining systems • Rainwater harvesting in mined areas • Monitoring of groundwater quality |
| Air Pollution | • Dust generation during mining and transport • Emissions from mineral processing • Methane release from coal mines • Fires in coal mines (Jharia) • Greenhouse gas emissions |
• Jharia coalfield: perpetual fires • Stone quarries: silicosis among workers • Cement plants near limestone mines • Transport routes: dust pollution |
• Dust suppression systems (water spraying) • Covered conveyor belts • Green belts around mines • Use of cleaner technologies |
| Social & Health Impacts | • Displacement of communities • Loss of livelihoods (farmers, forest dwellers) • Health issues from pollution • Conflicts over resource rights • Cultural heritage destruction |
• Niyamgiri hills (Odisha): tribal displacement issues • Coal mines: respiratory diseases • Mica mining: child labor concerns • Northeast: uranium mining protests |
• Prior informed consent from communities • Fair compensation and rehabilitation • Community development programs • Health monitoring and care |
| Biodiversity Loss | • Habitat fragmentation • Loss of endemic species • Disturbance to wildlife corridors • Noise pollution affecting animals • Introduction of invasive species |
• Western Ghats: iron ore mining in biodiversity hotspots • Aravallis: marble mining affecting ecosystems • Northeast: limestone mining in forests • Andaman: coral reef damage |
• Biodiversity management plans • Conservation of critical habitats • Wildlife corridor protection • Pre-mining biodiversity assessments |
Sustainable Mining Framework: 1) Legal Framework: Strict enforcement of MMDR Act amendments (2015), District Mineral Foundation for community benefit, Star Rating of mines. 2) Technological Solutions: Use of remote sensing for monitoring, precision mining to reduce waste, dry processing to save water. 3) Economic Instruments: Environmental bonds, pollution taxes, incentives for rehabilitation. 4) Participatory Governance: Public hearings, social impact assessments, transparency in clearances. The future lies in "green mining" that minimizes ecological footprint while maximizing resource efficiency and community benefits.
Answer Writing Checklist
Final Note: These solutions demonstrate how to write answers, not just what to write. Practice adapting this structure to different questions.
