Minerals - Types, Extraction & Distribution

-
  • “homogenous, naturally occurring substance without any human interference, which has definable internal structure (Chemical Composition).
  • Not easily accessible in Arctic ocean bed and Antarctica.
  • Rocks are combinations of homogenous substances called minerals
  • Identified on the basis of their physical properties such as colour, density, hardness and chemical property such as solubility.
Types of Minerals
  • Metallic: Raw form, conduct heat and electricity. characteristic lustre or shine.
  • Ferrous: Iron ore, Manganese and Chromites contain iron.
  • Non-ferrous: does not contain iron.
  • Non-metallic minerals do not contain metals. Ex: Limestone, mica and gypsum.
  • Non-metallic minerals are either organic in origin such as fossil fuels also known as mineral fuels (Energy Mineral).
Extraction of Minerals
  • Process of taking out minerals from rocks buried under the earth’s surface is called mining.
  • lie at shallow depths are taken out by removing the surface layer open-cast mining.
  • Deep bores, called shafts, have to be made to reach mineral deposits that lie at great depths. This is called shaft mining.
  • Deep wells are bored to take them out, is drilling.
  • Minerals that lie near the surface are simply dug out is Quarrying.
Distribution/Mode of Occurrence of Minerals
  • Found in “ores.
  • Igneous and metamorphic rocks
    • Metallic minerals are found on Cracks, Crevices, faults or joints. Smaller occurrences are called veins and the larger are called lodes.
    • Minerals in liquid/molten and gaseous forms.
    • Most of the metallic minerals, peninsular plateau in the old crystalline rocks.
    • Cool and solidify as they rise.
    • Ex: Tin, Copper, Zinc & lead.
  • Sedimentary rocks
    • Occur in beds or layers.
    • Deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata.
    • Gypsum, potash salt and sodium salt. formed as a result of evaporation especially in arid regions.
    • Sedimentary rock formations of plains and young fold mountains contain non-metallic minerals like limestone.
    • Mineral fuels - coal and petroleum found in sedimentary strata.
  • Decomposition of surface rocks, residual mass of weathered material. Ex: Bauxite.
  • Placer Deposits - Alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors and the base of hills. Ex: Gold, silver, tin and platinum.
  • Ocean Salt - common salt, magnesium and bromine. ocean beds, too, are rich in manganese nodules.
Asia
  • China and India have large iron ore deposits.
  • Produce more than half of the world’s tin.
  • China, Malaysia and Indonesia are among the world’s leading tin producers. China also leads in production of leading tin producers.
  • China produce - lead, antimony and tungsten.
  • Other deposits - manganese, bauxite, nickel, zinc and copper
Europe
  • Iron ore are Russia, Ukraine, Sweden and France.
  • Deposits - copper, lead, zinc, manganese and nickel eastern Europe and European Russia
  • Switzerland - no known mineral deposit.
North America
  • Canadian region north of the Great Lakes, the Appalachian region and the mountain ranges of west.
  • Iron ore, nickel, gold, uranium and copper are mined in the Canadian Shield Region.
  • Coal in the Appalachians region.
  • Western Cordilleras deposits of copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver.
South Africa
  • Brazil - high grade iron-ore.
  • Chile and Peru – Copper.
  • Brazil and Bolivia – Tin.
  • Gold, silver, zinc, chromium, manganese, bauxite, mica, platinum, asbestos and diamond.
  • Mineral oil - Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Columbia.
Africa
  • South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zair - diamonds, gold and platinum.
  • Copper, iron ore, chromium, uranium, cobalt and bauxite.
  • Oil is found in Nigeria, Libya and Angola.
Australia
  • Coal in the Transantarctic Mountains.
  • Iron near the Prince Charles Mountains of East Antarctica.
  • Iron ore, gold, silver and oil are also present in commercial quantities.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Indian Painting - Pre History

-
Image
    History and Evolution of Painting in India - An Overview India has a long tradition of artistic excellence and painting is one of the major mediums that has been used to express it. There is several evidence suggesting that painting flourished in India since ancient times. Archaeologists have found wall paintings in parts of India, which suggest that even the early historic man in India was engaged in activities of art and leisure The history of painting can be traced through the ancient and medieval period where the books were illustrated with paintings Then came the miniature style that dominated the Mughal and Rajput courts. With the coming of the Europeans, the art of painting and engraving took a western turn. Modern painters experimented with styles, colours and designs. Many Indian painters have gained worldwide recognition and are winning prizes and accolades for their vision. Principles of Painting The history of paintings can be known from primitive rock paintings of Bhim
Read more

Classification of Indian Paintings

-
Image
    Classification of Indian Paintings Indian Paintings have been broadly classified into two. Mural Paintings Miniature Paintings Mural Paintings The work on the walls or a solid structure are referred to as Murals. These have existed in India since ancient times and can be dated between 10th century BC and 10th century AD. The evidence of such paintings can be found at several locations in India. The beauty and the exquisiteness of mural paintings can be seen in places like Ajanta, Armamalai Cave, Ravan Chhaya Rock Shelter, Bagh Caves, Sittanavasal Caves and Kailash Temple in Ellora. Most of the mural paintings are either in natural caves or in rock cut chambers. The paintings follow a theme, the most common being Hindu, Buddhist and Jain. Mural paintings were also made to adorn any mundane premise. For e.g. Ancient theatre room in Jogimara Caves. Ajanta Cave Paintings One of the oldest surviving murals of Indian sub-continent, Ajanta caves were carved between 2nd century BC to 5th c
Read more

Solar system

-
Image
Galaxy Gravitational bound system of star, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter. Ex: Milky way. A galaxy is a huge system of billions of stars. Our solar system is a part of the milky way galaxy. Our Milky way galaxy was named “Akash ganga”. There are millions of galaxies that make the Universe. Distance galaxy: GN-z11 (March 2016) Hubble classification Eliptical (E) Spiral (S): Andromeda & Sombrero (unbarred) Lenticular Celestial bodies: Sun, Moon. Two types: Emit light (Star), Don’t Emit Light (Planets) North Star – Pole Star – Indicates north Direction Constellations (Group of star) – 88 Official Ursa Major – Big Dipper Tail – Alioth – Brightest in Ursa Major Saptarishi Mandal Polaris – Brightest in Ursa Minor The Sun Made up of extremely hot gases. The sun is about 150 million km away from the earth. 30 times greater than Earth. Black hole – It absorb light but does not emit due to high gravitational force. Corona – Outer surface of the sun (About 6000 k) S
Read more