Non Ferrous Minerals

• India’s reserves of non-ferrous minerals are not satisfactory.
• These minerals are very important for metallurgical, electrical industries, engineering industry.

COPPER:

• Copper is a good conductor of electricity and has other physical/ chemical properties like malleable, ductile make it one of the most important mineral mainly for electronic, electrical cables, chemical industry.
• India is deficient in the reserve of copper.
• The Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh produce 52 per cent of India’s copper.
• The Singbhum district of Jharkhand is also a leading producer of copper.
• The Khetri mines in Rajasthan are also famous for copper production.

Production of Copper showing state-wise share in percent 2003-04

BAUXITE:

Though, several ores contain aluminium, it is from bauxite, a clay-like substance that alumina and later aluminium is obtained. Bauxite deposits are formed by the decomposition of a wide variety of rocks rich in aluminium silicates. Aluminium is an important metal because it combines the strength of metals such as iron, with extreme lightness and also with good conductivity and great malleability.
India’s bauxite deposits are mainly found in the Amarkantak plateau, Maikal hills and the plateau region of Bilaspur- Katni. Orissa is the largest bauxite producing state in India with 45 per cent of the country’s total production in 2000-01. Panchpatmali deposits in Koraput district are the most important bauxite deposits in the state.

NON-METALLIC MINERALS:

MICA:

• Due to its excellent di-electric strength, low power loss factor, insulating properties and resistance to high voltage, mica is one of the most indispensable minerals used in electric and electronic industries.
• It is a mineral made up of a series of plates or leaves.
• Mica can be clear, black, green, red, yellow or brown.
• Mica deposits are found in the northern edge of the Chota Nagpur plateau. Koderma - Gaya - Hajaribagh belt of Jharkhand is the leading producer.
• In Rajasthan, the major mica producing area is around Ajmer. Nellore mica belt of Andhra Pradesh is also an important producer in the country.

Mica Mineral

ROCK MINERALS

• Pure limestone can be white or pale grey. It is found in association with calcium carbonates or magnesium carbonate.
• It is found in sedimentary rock. Limestone is the basic raw material for the cement industry and essential for smelting iron ore in the blast furnace.

Production of Limestone showing state-wise share in percent 2003-04

HAZARDS OF MINING:

The dust and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases. The risk of collapsing mine roofs, inundation and fires in coalmines are a constant threat to miners. The water sources in the region get contaminated due to mining. Dumping of waste and slurry leads to degradation of land, soil, and increase in stream and river pollution.