Syllabus- India – Major Minerals and Energy Resources- distribution and conservation, Energy Crisis – role of non-conventional energy resources.
Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10
Mains Questions of the day-
1.Mention the distribution of Ferrous minerals (Iron-ore and Manganese) in India.
Introduction: –
Write briefly about minerals and its types. Quote examples for ferrous minerals.
Body: –
Write about the distribution of Ferrous minerals such as Iron ore and Manganese in India.
Conclusion: –
Minerals are nonrenewable. Sustainable mineral use is the necessity.
Content: –
- Mineral resources are prerequisite for providing the base for industrial development in a country.
- Fortunately, India is having a rich variety of mineral resources due to its varied geological structure.
- It possesses more than hundred minerals, out of which there are around thirty minerals which have economic significance.
- Some of the examples are coal, iron ore, manganese, bauxite, mica, etc.
- But the reserves of petroleum and some nonferrous metallic minerals, especially copper, lead, zinc, tin, graphite are inadequate
Mineral Resources
Minerals can be grouped under two main categories on the basis of chemical and physical properties:
- Metallic and
- Non-metallic
Distribution of Important Ferrous Minerals: –
Iron ore: –
- India has abundant resources of iron ore and the quality of Indian ore is very high with iron content of above 60 percent.
- Most of iron ore found in the country is of three types:
- Hematite (red ore) 68%
- Magnetite (black ore) 60%
- Limonite (yellow ore) 35%-50%
- The iron ore mines occur in close proximity to the coal fields in the north-eastern plateau region of the country.
- About 95% of total reserves of iron ore is located in the States of Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Goa, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
- Mines in Odisha are being worked out specially for export purpose.
- Goa possesses inferior quality ore, but its contribution to the country’s total production is impressive.
- Almost the entire production of iron from Goa is exported from Marmagao Port to Japan.
Manganese
- India ranks third in the production of manganese ore in the world. Although Manganese deposits are mainly associated with Dharwar system.
- The important areas of production are in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
- Over 78% of total reserves of manganese ore of India occur in a belt stretching from Maharashtra to Madhya Pradesh.
- Odisha is the leading producer of Manganese and accounts for 37% of the total production of the country.
- Karnataka is another major producer which accounts for 26% of country’s total production.
- Maharashtra is also an important producer of manganese.
- Telangana, Goa, and Jharkhand are other minor producers of manganese.
- Manganese is an important raw material for smelting of iron ore and also used for manufacturing ferro-alloys.
- About 85% of total manganese consumption in India is used by metallurgical industries.
2.Centre has advanced the target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol (also called as E20), to 2025 from 2030. What is ethanol blending and mention its objectives?
Introduction: –
Write briefly about ethanol and ethanol blending.
Body: –
Discuss the process of ethanol blending.
Mention the ethanol blending objectives.
Conclusion: –
As we progress towards higher blending of ethanol, careful monitoring and assessment of emissions changes will be needed to make sure that emission reduction potential can be enhanced.
Content: –
Ethanol:
It is one of the biofuels, which is naturally produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts or by the petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration.
Ethanol blending:
- An ethanol blend is defined as a blended motor fuel with ethanol and blended exclusively with gasoline. Since it is plant-based, it is considered to be a renewable fuel.
- Government has allowed ethanol production/ procurement:
- From sugarcane-based raw materials such as C & B heavy molasses, sugarcane juice / sugar / sugar syrup.
- Surplus rice with Food Corporation of India (FCI) and
- Maize.
- The Oil Marketing Companies are to procure ethanol from domestic sources and blends ethanol at its terminals.
- Currently, 5% of ethanol is blended with petrol in India.
- The Government has advanced the target for 20% ethanol blending in petrol (also called E20) to 2025 from 2030.
Objectives of Ethanol Blending:
- Energy Security:
- Increased use of ethanol can help reduce the oil import bill. India’s net import cost stands at $551 billion in 2020-21.
- The E20 program can save the country $4 billion (Rs. 30,000 crore) per annum.
- Incentives for Farmers:
- The oil companies procure ethanol from farmers that benefits the sugarcane farmers.
- Further, the government plans to encourage use of water-saving crops such as maize to produce ethanol and production of ethanol from non-food feedstock.
- Impact on Emission:
- Use of ethanol-blended petrol decreases emissions such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
- The unregulated carbonyl emissions such as acetaldehyde emission higher with E10 and E20 compared to normal petrol. However, these emissions are relatively lower.
Prelims Questions of the day: –
1.Which of the following is the example of Ferrous Metal?
- Chromites
- Copper
- Bauxite
- Dolomite
Answer: A
Explanation:
Ferrous Minerals: –
- All those minerals which have iron content are called ferrous minerals. Iron ore, manganese and chromites are examples of ferrous minerals.
- Ferrous Minerals account for about three-fourth of the total value of the production of metallic minerals.
- These minerals provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical industries, particularly iron, steel and alloys.
- India is well-placed in respect of ferrous minerals both in reserves and production.
2.Which of the following is the example for non-ferrous metals?
- Iron ore
- Manganese
- Chromites
- Bauxite
Answer: D
Explanation:
Non-ferrous Metals: –
- Minerals which do not contain iron are known as non-ferrous mineral.
- Copper, bauxite are non-ferrous minerals.
- India is poorly endowed with non-ferrous metallic minerals except bauxite.
3. Mica, Limestone and Graphite are come under which of the following Minerals?
- Ferrous metal
- Non-ferrous metal
- Mineral fuel
- Non-metallic fuel.
Answer: D
Explanation: –
Non-metallic Minerals: Other non-metallic minerals are inorganic in origin such as mica, limestone and graphite, etc.
4.Coal and petroleum are come under which of the following?
- Ferrous metal
- Non-ferrous metal
- Mineral fuel
- None of the above
Answer: – C
Explanation:
Mineral Fuels: Mineral fuels are organic in origin and derived from the buried animal and plant life such as coal and petroleum. They are also known as fossil fuels.
5.What is the rank of India in terms of the renewable energy?
- Seventh
- Second
- Fourth
- Third
Answer: C
Explanation: –
India is currently ranked 4th in renewable energy capacity globally. Currently, the renewable energy capacity in India is 136 GW, which is 36% of the total energy capacity in India.
6.Which of the following is the renewable energy sources in India?
- Biomass Energy
- Methanol blending Energy
- Hydrogen Energy
- Solar Energy
Answer: D
Explanation:
- Solar and Wind energy have considered as renewable energy. However, it is important to consider other alternatives like biomass energy, methanol-based blending and hydrogen, which is considered as the fuel of the future.
- Bio-mass energy: India has one of the largest cattle population and animal rearing sector in the world. This translates into adequate availability of biomass to fulfill the energy requirements, especially in rural areas.
7. Which of the following terms defines the statement “The production of energy per unit fuel”?
- Specific heat
- Latent heat
- Adiabatic heat
- Calorific value
Answer: D
Explanation:
- The production of energy per unit fuel is called as Calorific value.
- Bio-mass energy: India has one of the largest cattle population and animal rearing sector in the world. This translates into adequate availability of biomass to fulfill the energy requirements, especially in rural areas.
- High calorific value: Biomass has a high calorific value, i.e. it produces more energy per unit fuel consumed than the other conventional sources of energy.
8.Which of the following government scheme is used for last mile connectivity of electricity to all households?
- SAUBHAGYA scheme
- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
- Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
- PAHAL Schemes
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana or Saubhagya Scheme:
This is a scheme of the Government to provide last-mile connectivity to all households who have applied for it.
- It has led to higher demand for energy.
- According to the Saubhagya dashboard, all states except Chattisgarh have been 100% electrified.
9.What is the India’s target of Renewable Energy by 2030?
- 175GW
- 450GW
- 1000GW
- 500GW
Answer: B
Explanation:
- The government is committed to increasing the share of renewable energy in India’s total energy share.
- Initially, the target for renewable energy was set at 175 GW but now it has been further revised to 450 GW by 2030.
10. Which of the following institution release the “Ease of Doing Solar Report 2020”?
- International Solar Alliance
- World Bank
- UNFCCC
- FAO
Answer: A
Explanation:
- The International Solar Alliance has released ‘Ease of Doing Solar Report 2020’ on 24th February 2021.
- Additionally, ISA is set to launch the World Solar Bank in UNFCCC COP26 scheduled in 2021.