Minerals are naturally occurring, homogeneous substances with definite chemical composition. Based on chemical and physical properties, minerals can be divided into metallic and non-metallic minerals.
Characteristics of Minerals
- Minerals are not evenly distributed on the surface of the Earth.
- Minerals are exhaustible. Because they cannot be replenished immediately, they need to be conserved.
- All minerals do not have uniform properties. They have different chemical compositions.
- Minerals differ with each other in colour, lustre and texture.
Coal
- Coal occurs in the sedimentary rocks. It was formed when plants and ferns were buried in the swamp forests. Heat and pressure exerted by many layers which were formed over these decayed plants resulted in many physical and chemical changes.
- Coal contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and small amounts of phosphorus and sulphur.
- Depending on the amount of carbon, moisture and volatile matter present, coal can be classified into four categories—anthracite, bituminous, lignite and peat.
Anthracite
- It is the hardest and highest quality coal as it has a carbon content of over 90% and burns slowly without smoke.
- It leaves very little ash behind and has a high heating value.
Bituminous
- Its carbon content varies from 50% to 80%.
- It is hard and black. It makes up about 80% of the total coal output in the world.
- It is widely used for household purposes.
- It is popularly used in various industries. High grade bituminous coal is used in blast furnaces for smelting iron.
Lignite
- It is a low grade coal also known as brown coal.
- It is soft with high moisture content.
Peat
- It has the least carbon content and is inferior to the other three varieties of coal.
- It represents the first stage of transformation of wood into coal.
Uses of Coal
- It is used in thermal power plants for generating electricity.
- It is used as a source of heat and energy for domestic purposes.
- It is used for manufacturing iron and steel. It is used as raw material in many industries.
- Chemicals such as ammonia and benzol are obtained as by-products from the gases which are released when the coal is burnt in a closed chamber to get metallurgical coke.
Petroleum
Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds. It is found in underground reservoirs in sedimentary rock formations such as sandstone, shale, and limestone. Petrol, diesel, tar, kerosene, LPG, and paraffin wax are some products that are obtained during the refining process.
Uses of Petroleum
- It is used as a fuel and plays a major role in land, sea and air transport.
- After refining, petroleum is used in the production of various petrochemicals such as gasoline, lubricating oil and printing ink.
- It is used for power generation.
Manganese
It is a black, hard metal that is mainly used as a raw material for smelting iron ore and is used for manufacturing ferroalloys.
Uses of Manganese
- It is an important raw material in the iron and steel industry as it is used for hardening steel and prevents it from rusting.
- It is used in dry cell batteries.
- It is used in forming many alloys.
- It is used in chemical, glass and electrical industries.
Bauxite
It is an oxide of aluminium.
Uses of Bauxite
- Aluminium is extracted from bauxite. It is lightweight, strong and rust-resistant metal.
- Aluminium is used in aircraft, automobiles, shipping industry and household appliances.
- Because aluminium is a good conductor of electricity, it is used in the electrical industry.
- The largest integrated aluminium plant is located at Renukoot in Uttar Pradesh.
- It gets its supply of bauxite from Amarkantak Plateau and Ranchi.
Limestone
It is a non-metallic mineral. It is formed by the deposition and hardening of skeletons, remains of animals, and shells. It is found in almost every state of India.
Uses of Limestone
- It is used as a flux in the iron and steel industry.
- It is mainly used in the cement industry.
- It is used in manufacturing quicklime and slaked lime.
- It is used to suppress methane explosions in underground coal mines.
- It is used in the production of chemicals, paper, glass and fertilizers.
Also, Read Industries in India