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Minerals and
Energy Resources 15
q Mineral resources q Mining
q Global distribution of important minerals q Conservation of minerals
q Energy resources q Distribution of energy resources
q Conservation of energy resources
Introduction make steel from iron has led to the manufacturing
of locomotives, steam ships, cars, ornaments,
Minerals have a definite chemical composition.
cutlery, tools etc. Steel is utilised in bridge
Minerals are created by natural process without any
human interference. They have one or more construction and industry construction. Copper is
essential for electronics, tin for making cans for
elements which can be recognised by their physical
food preservation, aluminium for lightweight
and chemical properties such as colour, hardness, articles like aircraft. Things used in daily life like
density and solubility. For the development of a
iron nails, utensils, refrigerators, fans, vehicles
country, minerals and energy resources work as a
etc., are also made from metals.
backbone.
MINERAL RESOURCES
Minerals are one of the most valuable natural
resources. Man started to tread on the path of
progress since he was able to recognise the uses
of minerals. The story of man’s progress is the Cutlery Diamond Jewellery
story of minerals too. The essentiality of the Minerals are natural chemical compounds found
minerals can be judged from the fact that every in rocks and ores. They are formed through
new stage of human development is related to the
various geological processes taking place in the
discovery of an important mineral. This is the earth. They are uniform in composition and
reason that different ages in human history have structure.
been named after minerals, such as Stone Age,
Copper Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. Characteristics of Minerals
Minerals include all materials taken out from the Classification of minerals is done as per their
earth by mining. They remain deep under the chemical compositions. Some minerals occur in a
surface of the earth in the rocks. The resources solid state as simple substances or natural
which are obtained from the rocks under the compounds. They have a crystalline structure.
ground are called mineral resources. Some minerals have the same composition and
properties and may contain one or more elements.
As modern life is totally dependent on machines,
They are homogeneous and are natural inorganic
it is necessary to master the knowledge and substances.
application of minerals. The modern
manufacturing industry depends on the basis of Minerals occur in various types of rocks. Some are
machinery made from minerals. The ability to available in igneous rocks, while others in
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