Minerals and Energy Resources Test - 6

Mining is known as the killer industry due to following reasons: It is dangerous for the health of miners who often have to work in unsafe conditions in underground mines. Frequent accidents occur in mines due to collapse of roofs and water flooding.Stricter safety regulations and implementation of environmental laws are essential to prevent mining from becoming a “killer industry”.

We are rapidly consuming mineral resources that required millions of years to be created and concentrated. The geological processes of mineral formation are so slow that the rates of replenishment are infinitely small in comparison to the present rates of consumption.Mineral resources are therefore,finite and non-renewable.

Rich mineral deposits are our country’s extremely valuable but short-lived possessions. Continued extraction of ores leads to increasing costs as mineral extraction comes from greater depths along with decrease in quality.

A concerted effort has to be made in order to use our mineral resources in a planned and sustainable manner.

Energy is required for all activities. It is needed to cook, to provide light and heat, to propel vehicles and to drive machinery in industries.

Energy can be generated from fuel minerals like coal, petroleum, natural gas, uranium and from electricity. Energy resources can be classified as conventional and nonconventional sources.Fuel minerals are minerals that can be used for fuel. They are carbonaceous fuels stripped from the earth. There are three main types of fuel minerals and they are coal petroleum, and natural gas. These are also known as fossil fuels.

Energy resources can be classified as conventional and nonconventional sources. Conventional sources include: firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity (both hydel and thermal).

In India, coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel. It provides a substantial part of the nation’s energy needs. It is used for power generation, to supply energy to industry as well as for domestic needs.

Coal is used for power generation, to supply energy to industry as well as for domestic needs. India is highly dependent on coal for meeting its commercial energy requirements.Most significant uses of coal are in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing and as a liquid fuel. Steam coal  also known as thermal coal - is mainly used in power generation. Coking coal - also known as metallurgical coal .

Decaying plants in swamps produce peat. The principal lignite reserves are in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu and are used for generation of electricity.This is combustiblecombustible, sedimentary rock formed from naturally compressed peat. It is considered the lowest rank of coal due to its relatively low heat content. It has a carbon content around 60–70 percent.

Tertiary coal is found in the rocks of the Oligocene period of the Tertiary Era. Tertiary coals occur in the north eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.