GS 2: Distribution of key natural resources across world (including South Asia and Indian)
Prologue: Collect information from misc sources, can't mention all of them here. I just collect them in this single article. I am not saying that this information is sufficient, but I hope it will helpful.
Lets start with small introduction :
What are natural resources?
-material and component formed within environment
or. any matter or energy derived from environment, used by living things.
Everthing occur naturally on earth are natural resources i.e. minerals, land, water, soil, wind. which can be used in many ways by human being.
Classification:
On the basis of renewability :
1. Renewable resources : eg - sunlight, air, water
2. Non- Renewable resources. eg- coal , petroleum
On the basis of "stage of development":
1. Potential resources : exist in a region and may be used later . eg - petroleum, water- we have to use water for producing electricity i.e. water is a potential resource to produce electricity.
2. Actual resources: Can be surveyed, their quality and quantity can be determined. eg- wood processing depends on technology available and the cost involved
3. Reserve resources: part of an actual resource which can be developed profitably in the future
4. Stock Resources : that have been surveyed but cannot be used due to lack of technology.
eg- hydrogen
On the basis of origin:
1. Biotic : obtained from biosphere , such as forest, living and organic material. eg- coal, petroleum
2. Abiotic : come from non-living material, such as from land. eg- iron-ore, gold, copper.
Mineral resources:
Classification:
(in this article I will explain only metallic minerals. I'll explain non-metallic minerals and energy resources in separate articles)
A. Ferrous minerals :
-that have iron content
B. Non Ferrous minerals:
- no iron content.
Ferrous Metals
* IRON ORE:
Not found in pure form, it contain lime, magnesium, phosphorus, silica, sulphur and copper. It means if X place have iron ore then some of/or all of these 6 friends should be there.
First let us discuss types of iron ore. There are 4 types :
TypesIron content (in %)Features
1. Haematite(red-ochre)60-70 - also known as "oxide of iron"-massive, hard, compact and lumpy ore.-color : reddish or coral-red
2. Magnetite60-65- also known as "black ore"-color : obvious, black.
3. Limonite 35-50-also known as "hydrated iron-oxide"-color: yellow
4.Siderite 10-40- not economically extracted.
Distribution in world :
Major producers of iron ore and their share (acc to U S geological survey, 2010)
1. China : 34.5%
2. Brazil: 15.4%
3. Australia: 17.5%
4. India: 10.8%
5. Russia : 4.1%
Major iron ore mines are already explained in mrunal sir's article on "factors responsible for industries"
Other countries in which iron ore mines are present, but small amount of iron ore extracted from them : -
-Ukraine, south Africa, US, Canada, Iran, Sweden, Kazakhistan, Venezuela, Mexico, Mauritania, Chile, Peru, North Korea, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Algeria, Egypt, New Zealand, Mongolia, Japan, Malaysia etc.
* MANGANESE:
Features/Uses:
- in manufacturing of iron and steel (used as raw material for smelting of iron), bleaching powder, insecticides, pesticides, paints, dry batteries, photography etc.
-Zimbabwe has the largest reserves of manganese, followed by India.
Major producers:
Country States in which mines are present
BrazilAmapaSerra Do Nario Mine : Largest producer and exporter of Manganese ore since 1957
Minas Gerais Marro Da Mina mine
ParaAzul and Buritirama Deposits In Carajas iron district
Mato Grosso Do SulCorumba District
South AfricaNorthern CapeConcentrated in Kalahari Manganese fields: Black rock mine, Gloria mine, Middleplaats mine, Mamatwan mine
North-West AfricaOnly one mine present here.
Gabon- The high-grade manganese deposits atMoanda, nearFranceville
China -in Liaoning, Hunan and Guangxi
Mexico-before 1960: Autlan deposit in Jalisco was major producer, but depleted in 1960's. -after 1960 : Molango deposits are major producers and put into production in 1968.
Ukraine-in Khersons'ka
Other countries : China, Mexico, Ukraine.
Non-Ferrous metals
* COPPER :
Features/uses:
-Highly ductile, strong and good conductor of electricity.
-Uses: in electrical machinery, automobile, stainless steel.
-Main alloys - Copper+zinc=brass & copper+tin=bronze.
Leading producers:
Countries States in which mines are present
Chile-Antofagasta mines : 5th largest producer of copper in the world.-copper mines are present in almost all states of chile.-Arica & Parinacota, Tarapaca, Antofagasta, Antacama, Blobia.
China- Jiangxi : Leading producer- Jiangxi Copper corp. -In Sinchua, Yunnan, Gansu, Jilin, Taiwan.
Peru-Leading producer : CMA's Antamina mine. -States where mines exists: Cajamarca, Apurimac, Cusco, Arequipa, Moquegua, Tanca.
US-found in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine., Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Australia-States : Queensland (large no of mines found here), South Australia (Olympic Dam mine), Tasmania, Northern Territory, New South Wales.
Russia- Northwestern :in Murmansk- Volgo: in Kirov-Siberian: in Irkutsk Oblast and Kraenoyarsk
Zambia-North Western Zambia, Copperbelt.
Congo-at boundary of Niari and Kouilou
Canada-British Columbia, Ontario, New Brusnswick
Mexico-Sonora, Zacatecas, Baja, California Sur.
Norway-Nordland ,Oppland.
Other countries which produce copper in small amount are : Bolivia and Norway.
* GOLD
Occurence :
- also foundworld'soceans: Atlantic and Northeast Pacific
Features/uses:
-high density, most malleable.
- ued in making or jewelry, for monetary exchanges, in medicines, food, electronics, in commercial industries (eg :in cynaide process. )
Major producers:
CountryStates in which mines are present
China-in Shandong, Henan, Fujian, Liaoning, Guizhou, Yunan
Australia-Northern Territory, Western Australia
US-Reed farminNorth Carolina, Virginia, California, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan , Montano, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Moraine gold
Russia-Siberain (in Kraenoyarsk), Irkutsk Oblast, Buryatia, Chukotka, Sakha, Magaden, Amur, Chechnya.
South Africa-Western cape, eastern Transvaal
Peru-Ucayali, Madre De Dios, Arequipa, Ayacucho, San Martin
Canada-In British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario (most of the reserves present here), Nova Scotia.
Ghana-Western Ghana(major reserves), Ashanti.
Indonesia-Grasberg: largest mine in world, in Papua.
Uzbekistan-Nawaoiy
Other countries where gold deposits are present : South Korea (in Chungcheong Namdo) , Egypt (in El Bahr El Ahmar), Congo (in Kouilou), Bolivia (in Pando, La Paz, Beni, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba), Brazil (in Ampa, Para, Mato Grosso, Ceara, Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo).
* SILVER
Occurence:
- Silver is found in native form, as an alloy with gold
Features/uses:
- veryductile,malleable(slightly harder thangold),monovalentcoinage metal
-highestelectrical conductivity, has the highestthermal conductivity, one of the highest opticalreflectivities
-used for making currency and jewelry , in manufacturing of chemicals, electroplating, photography, coloring of glasses, also used by dentists, in making or mirrors and optics.
CountryStates in which mines are present
Australia-Queensland
Russia-Kraenoyarsk, Magadan, Sabha, Zabaykalsky Krai.
Peru-La Libertad, Tacna, Ayacucho
Argentina-Jujuy, Chubut, Neuquen
Mexico-Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Zacatecas, Pachuca, Guanauato
Bolivia-La Paz, Qruro, Potosi
Poland
Chile-Antofagasta, Valaparaiso.
US-Alaska, Arizona,California, Colorado,Idaho, Missouri,Montana,Nevada,New Hampshire,New Mexico,North Carolina,Oklahoma,Oregon, Pennsylvania,Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington
Other countries : South Africa (in Northern Cap), South Korea ( Gyeonggi-Do)
* LEAD
Occurence :
-found in thesolar atmosphere, and much more abundantly in the atmospheres of somehot subdwarfs
-Metallic lead is very rare occur in nature. Obtained from galena, which is found in association with limestone, sandstone and calcareous slates.
-usually found inorewithzinc,silverand (most abundantly)copper
Features/Uses :
i. Heavy metal, malleable, soft and bad conductor of heat and electricity, high resistance to corrosion, ability to react with organic chemicals.
ii. used in alloys , cable cover, type-writers, lead-sheeting, ammunition, paints, glass making, paints making, automobiles, aeroplanes, calculating machines, printing and rubber industries.
Leading producers :
CountryStates in which mines are present
Australia-New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland.
US-Idaho, Arizona, Alaska, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma.
China-Yunna.
Canada-New Brunswick, Yukon, Nunavut, Ontario, British Columbia
Mexico-Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa, Zacatecas
Morocco-Nador, Figuig, Khenitra, Marrarech.
Peru-La Libertad, Cusco, Huanc Avelica.
South Africa- Northern Cape
North Korea-South Hamgyong Province, Ryanggang Province
Other countries: South Korea (Busan, Chunhcheong Namdo, Ganguon-Do, Gyeongci-Do), Spain(Castile & leon, Andalusia, Argon, Region DE Murcia), Chile (Los Lagos), Brazil (Bahia), Congo (Kouilou), Kazakhistan(Toldyqorghan, Shyghys Qazaqstan, Kzzylorda, Qaraghandy), Russia (Rostov, Perm, Altai, Primorsky)
* URANIUM
Occurence:
- found in low levels within all rock, soil, and water
- highest-numbered element to be found naturally in significant quantities on Earth and is almost always found combined with other elements
Features/Uses:
i. silvery-white + very highdensity + weakly radioactivemetal, which is harder thanmost elements
ii. Can react with almost all non-metallic elements and produce heat.
iii. Used in nuclear reactors + also used for tinting and shading in early photography
Some major producers :
CountryStates in which mines are present
Kazakhistan-Suzak, Jambyl, Qyzylorda, Aqmola, Pavlodarskaya Oblast, Aqtobe, Qaraghandy
Australia- has 31% world's reserves : Olympic DamMine in South Australia.
Canada-Saskatchewan: Athabasca Basin
Namibia-Arandis,Namib desert in western Nambia, Swakopmund,
Niger-Akokan, Arlit, Agadez
Russia-Stavropol, Buryatia
Some other countries : US, Ukrain, China, Uzbekistan
* CHROMITE
Occurence:
- Chromite is found inperidotitefrom the Earth'smantle
- occurs inlayeredultramaficintrusive rocks
-also found in metamorphic rocks such as someserpentinites.
-Oredeposits of chromite form as early magmatic differentiates.
Feature:
- is an Oxide of iron and manganese.
- Used in metallurgical and chemical industries.
- Alloy ingredient instainlessandtool steels.
Leading Producers:
-South Africa, India, Kazakhistan, Zimbabwe, Finland, Iran and Brazil.
-Biggest user of chromite : China , importing from S.Africa, Pakistan and other countries.
CountryStates in which mines are present
South Africa- World's largest producer.-Bushveld igneous complex: have very large deposites of chromite -in Eastern BIC, in the Steelpoort Valley.
Kazakhistan-2nd largest-Aqtoke
Zimbabwe-Tarastan
Finland-Lapland, Satakunta
Iran-Razavi Khorasan, Kerman
Brazil-Minas Gerais, Bahia
Minor producers: Afghanistan (Khost Province) , Pakistan (khanozai in Balochistan), Australia (Pilbararegion ofWestern Australia).
* ZINC
Occurence :
-found in association with lead and silver.
Features/uses :
i. Hard and brittle, fair conductr of electricity, low melting point and boiling point.
ii. used for alloying and for manufacturing galvanised sheets.
iii. also used for dry-battries, white pigments, electrodes, textiles, die-casting, rubber industry and for making collapsible tubes, containing drugs, and pastes.
Leading Producers:
CountryStates in which mines are present
China-Yunnan, Hunan
US-Colorado, New Jersey, Northern California, Arizona, Alaska, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma,
Bolivia-La Paz, Potosi, Chuquisaca
Mexico- Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa, Zacatecas
Australia-New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland.
Canada-Saskatchewan, Manitora, New Branswick
Russia-Primorsky, Altai, Volgograd, Sverdlovsk
Kazakhistan-Shyghys Qazaqstan, Qaraghandy, Taldyqorghan, Kyzylorda
North Korea-Piyongan Bukto, Hwanghae Namido, Hwanghae-Bukto, Kangwon-Do, Hamgyong-Namdo, Hamgyong Bukto, Kangwon-Do.
Peru-Ayacucho, Cusco, ICA
Other countries : South Africa (Kwazulu-Natal) , Spain (Principado De Asturias, Castile and Leon, Comunidad Valencia), Argentia (Jujuy, Santa Fe)
* TUNGSTEN
Occurence :
-obtained from wolfram ore.
Features/uses:
- self hardening mineral, hence used in steel industries, manufacturing of ammunition, armour plates, heavy guns, hard cutting tools.
Leading producers:
CountryStates in which mines are present
China-leading producer.-Guangdong
Russia-Primorsky, Buryatia, Altai
Canada-Toronto, New Brunswick, Yukon, Northwest territory,
Bolivia-La Paz, Potosi
Austria-Salzburg
Thailand-Chiang Mai, Lampang, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Brazil- Currais Novos in Northeastern Brazil
Peru-Puno, Junin
Portugal-Viseu
Other countries : Australia (BassStrait), South Korea (Ganguon-Do, Gyeongsany-Bukdo, Gyeongsang Namdo), North Korea(Kangwan-Do, Hwanghae Bukto, Piyongang Namdo)
* BAUXITE
Occurence:
- The early discovered carbonate bauxites occur predominantly inEuropeandJamaicaabovecarbonate rocks(limestoneanddolomite), where they were formed by lateriticweatheringand residual accumulation of intercalatedclaysor by clay dissolution residues of the limestone.
-mostly found in countries of tropics
-formed bylateritizationof varioussilicate rockssuch asgranite,gneiss,basalt,syenite, andshale
Features/Uses:
- main source of aluminium.
Major producers:
CountryStates in which mines are present
Australia-top producer.-Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland
Russia-Karelia, Perm
Brazil-Para, Maranhao, Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais.
Australia-Western australia, Northern territory, Queensland.
Vietnam-Binh Phuoc, Gia Lai
Jamaica-Trelawny, Saint Ann, Saint Elizabeth, Manchestor, Clarendon, Saint Catherine, Saint Kingston, Saint James, Portland
Guinea- Boke, Kindia
Ghana-Western Ghana
Other country : Kazakhistan (Kostanay)
Distribution in India
(Only Overview, as you can find in detail in Majid and Ncert)
Mineral belts of India:
1. The Chotanagpur Belt:
-stretches over Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal
-rich in : coal, mica, manganese, bauxite, iron, uranium phosphate, copper, dolomite, china-clay and limestone.
-Important mineral producing districts:
a. Jharkhand: Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Palamu, Santhal-Pargana, Singhbhum.
b. Odisha: Cuttack, Dhankenal, Kendujhar, Koratput, Mayurbhanj, Sambhalpur, Sundargarh.
c. West Bengal : Bankura, Birbhum, Medinipur, Purulia.
2. Midland Belt:
-Chattisgarh, MP, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
-Rich in: manganese ore, bauxite, mica, copper, graphite, limestone, lignite, marble.
3. The Southern belt:
-Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
-rich in : gold, iron ore, chromite, manganese, lignite, mica, bauxite, gypsum, asbestos, dolomite, ilmenite, china-clay, limestone.
4. The Western belt:
-Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra.
-Rich in: copper, lead, zinc, uranium, mica, manganese, salt, asbestos, precious stones, building stones, mineral oil and natural gas.
5. The Southern-Western belt:
-Goa, Karnataka, Kerala.
-Rich in: iron ore, ilmenite, zircon, monazite sands, garnet, china-clay, bauxite, mica, limestone and soapstone.
6. The Himalayan belt:
-poor in metallic minerals
-minerals found in small quantity: copper, lead, zinc, bismuth, bauxite, antimony, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, precious stone, gold, silver, gypsum, limestone and dolomite.
7. The Indian Ocean:
-Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are rich in mineral oil and natural gas.
-Also contain: manganese, phosphate, barium, aluminum, silicon, iron, titanium, sodium, potassium, chromium, monazite, ilmenite, magnetite, garnet.
Mineral States in which mines are present
Iron-ore -Karnataka, Odisha, Chattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand
Manganese-Odisha, Maharashtra, MP, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Copper-MP, Rajasthan, Jharkhand
Chromite-Odisha, Karnataka, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh
Uranium-Jharkhand
Lead-Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, MP, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, West Bengal
Zinc-Rajasthan, Sikkim, Jammu, Bihar, MP, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Kashmir
Tungsten-Rajasthan , West Bengal, Maharashtra, Mysore, Gujarat, Jharkhand
Bauxite-Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Bihar, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, Tamil Nadu, MP
Gold- Rajasthan , West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh
Silver- Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Name: Nisha Vats
