Mineral and Energy Resources

Minerals of India: • India is richly endowed with minerals — particularly in the Peninsular Plateau (Deccan Plateau and Chota Nagpur Plateau), which has ancient crystalline rocks containing diverse mineral deposits. • India is among the world's leading producers of iron ore, mica, barite, and manganese. Metallic Minerals: 1. Iron Ore: • India has among the world's largest iron ore reserves — about 8% of global reserves. • Types: Haematite (highest quality, 60%+ iron) and Magnetite. • Major deposits: Odisha (Keonjhar, Sundargarh — Bailadila region); Jharkhand (Singhbhum — Noamundi); Karnataka (Bellary-Hospet region — Kudremukh); Chhattisgarh (Bailadila). • India is a major iron ore exporter (though exports have been restricted). 2. Manganese: • Used in steel making, batteries, and chemicals. • India is one of the world's top producers. • Major deposits: Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Goa. 3. Copper: • Essential for electrical wiring, electronics, plumbing. • India has limited reserves — mostly in Rajasthan (Khetri — India's largest copper mine), Jharkhand (Singhbhum), MP (Balaghat). 4. Bauxite (Aluminium ore): • India has large bauxite deposits. • Major deposits: Odisha (Kalahandi, Koraput — world's largest bauxite belt), Jharkhand, MP, Gujarat. 5. Gold: • Limited production — Kolar Gold Fields (Karnataka — now mostly depleted); Hutti (Karnataka). Non-Metallic Minerals: 1. Limestone: • Essential for cement production. • Found abundantly across India — Rajasthan, MP, AP, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh. 2. Mica: • India is the world's largest producer and exporter of mica. • Used in electrical insulation. • Jharkhand (Koderma — the 'mica belt'), Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh. 3. Salt: • Produced from seawater (Gujarat coast — Rann of Kutch produces most of India's salt) and rock salt mines. 4. Gypsum: • Rajasthan, Jammu, Gujarat — used in cement and plaster of Paris.

Conventional Energy Resources: 1. Coal: • India is the world's third-largest coal producer and consumer. • Coal accounts for about 55% of India's total energy supply. • Used for: Thermal power generation (about 70% of India's electricity), steel making (coking coal), railways. Types: • Gondwana coal: India's most important — about 98% of India's coal reserves. Old coal formed 250+ million years ago. Found in: Jharkhand (Jharia — India's largest coalfield; Bokaro), West Bengal (Raniganj — India's oldest coalfield), Odisha (Talcher), Chhattisgarh (Korba), MP (Singrauli), Telangana. • Tertiary coal: Younger, lower quality — found in Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland) and Rajasthan. 2. Petroleum (Oil): • India has limited oil reserves relative to its consumption — imports about 85% of its oil. • Major oil fields: (a) Offshore: Bombay High (Mumbai High, Arabian Sea) — India's largest; discovered 1974; operated by ONGC. Produces about 40% of India's crude oil. (b) Assam: Digboi (India's oldest oil well — 1889), Naharkatiya. (c) Gujarat: Ankleshwar, Khambhat. (d) Rajasthan: Barmer (Mangala field — discovered 2004; significant production). (e) Krishna-Godavari Basin (KG Basin): Major offshore gas discovery. 3. Natural Gas: • Used for: Power generation, fertiliser production (petrochemicals), cooking fuel (LPG), CNG (vehicles). • Major gas fields: Mumbai High, KG Basin (KG-D6 — Reliance's offshore block), Assam. • India imports LNG (liquefied natural gas) from Qatar, Australia, USA. Energy Deficit: • India is significantly energy-deficient — consumption far exceeds domestic production. • India imports: ~85% of petroleum; some LNG; no coal import needed yet (but imports 'coking coal' for steel from Australia). • Energy security is a major national priority.

Non-Conventional / Renewable Energy in India: • Conventional energy (coal, oil, gas) is finite and polluting. • India is investing massively in renewable energy — to improve energy security, meet climate commitments, and reduce import dependence. • India's target: 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 (Paris Agreement commitment). 1. Solar Energy: • India has exceptional solar potential — most of India receives 5–7 kWh/m²/day of solar irradiation. • Rajasthan, Gujarat, Ladakh, and most of peninsular India are ideal for solar. • India's installed solar capacity: ~70 GW (2023); growing rapidly. • Key projects: Bhadla Solar Park (Rajasthan — world's largest solar park, ~2,700 MW); Kurnool Solar Park (Andhra Pradesh); RE-invest Ladakh project. • International Solar Alliance (ISA): Co-founded by India and France (2015) — promoting solar energy among tropical, solar-rich nations. 2. Wind Energy: • India has excellent wind resources along coastal areas and mountain passes. • Installed capacity: ~44 GW (2023) — fourth largest globally. • Major wind energy states: Tamil Nadu (Muppandal wind farm — largest in Asia), Gujarat (Gulf of Khambhat), Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra. 3. Hydroelectric Power: • Hydroelectricity — generated by falling water — is India's largest renewable source. • India's hydropower potential: About 150,000 MW (only ~47,000 MW utilised). • Major hydroelectric projects: Bhakra-Nangal (Punjab/Himachal), Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand), Hirakud (Odisha), Nagarjuna Sagar (AP), Sardar Sarovar (Gujarat). • Challenges: Displacement, ecosystem disruption, silting. 4. Nuclear Energy: • India has significant uranium and thorium reserves. • Installed nuclear capacity: ~7,500 MW (about 3% of electricity). • Major plants: Tarapur (Maharashtra — India's first), Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu — Russian-built), Rawatbhata (Rajasthan), Kaiga (Karnataka). • India's three-stage nuclear programme: Designed to eventually use abundant thorium reserves. 5. Biogas and Biomass: • Rural energy — biogas from animal waste (Gobar Gas); biomass burning. • Government programmes: Gobar-Dhan scheme. 6. Tidal and Geothermal: • India has some tidal energy potential (Gulf of Kutch, Sundarbans). • Geothermal: Hot springs in Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh), Puga Valley (Ladakh) — limited development.