Minerals Resources

Total Questions: 50

1. The most mineralized rock system of India is - [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1995, Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2005, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

(a) Cuddapah System
(b) Dharwar System
(c) Gondwana System
(d) Vindhayan System

Correct Answer: (b) Dharwar System

Solution:Dharwar system is the most important mineralized rock system in India. These rocks are economically very important as they possess valuable minerals like high-grade iron-ore, manganese, copper, lead, gold, etc. The Dharwar system is older than the Archean system, but not as old as the others. From 2500 million years ago to 1800 million years ago, the Dharwar era of rock creation was mostly constant. The Dharwar Rock System is unique in that it is India's earliest metamorphic sedimentary rocks. Due to being initially examined in the Dharwad district of Karnataka, they are known as the Dharwar system. However, they may be found in the Aravallis, Tamil Nadu, Chotanagpur plateau, Meghalaya, Delhi, and the Himalayas. Iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, gold, and silver are all abundant in the Dharwar rocks.

2. Which of the following rock systems is the major source of metallic minerals in India? [U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2017]

(a) Tertiary system
(b) Vindhyan system
(c) Gondwana system
(d) Dharwar system

Correct Answer: (d) Dharwar system

3. Which is known as the storehouse of Indian minerals? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

(a) Chhotanagpur plateau
(b) Bundelkhand Plateau
(c) Malwa plateau
(d) Baghelkhand Plateau

Correct Answer: (a) Chhotanagpur plateau

Solution:The Chhotanagpur plateau is called the deposit of Indian mineral substances, due to the richness of minerals, it is also called the Rur region of India. Chotanagpur plateau represents the north-eastern projection of the Indian Peninsula. Mostly in Jharkhand, northern part of Chhatisgarh and Purulia district of West Bengal. The Son river flows in the north-west of the plateau and joins the Ganga. The average elevation of the plateau is 700 m above sea level. This plateau is composed mainly of Gondwana rocks. The plateau is drained by numerous rivers and streams in different directions and presents a radial drainage pattern. Rivers like the Damodar, the Subarnrekaha, the North Koel, the South Koel and the Barkar have developed extensive drainage basins. The Damodar river flows through the middle of this region in a rift valley from west to east. Here are found the Gondwana coal fields which provide bulk of coal in India. North of the Damodar river is the Hazaribagh plateau with an average elevation of 600 m above mean sea level. This plateau has isolated hills. It looks like a peneplain due to large scale erosion. The Ranchi Plateau to the south of the Damodar Valley rises to about 600 m above mean sea level. Most of the surface is rolling where the city of Ranchi (661 m) is located. At places it is interruped by monadnocks (an isolated hill or ridge of erosion-resistant rock rising above a peneplain. Ex: Ayers Rock in Australia) and conical hills. The Rajmahal Hills forming the north eastern edge of the Chotanagpur Plateau are mostly made of basalt and are covered by lava flows {Basaltic Lava). They run in north-south direction and rise to average elevation of 400 m (highest mount is 567 m). These hills have been dissected into separate plateaus.

4. A huge amount of sources found in the Vindhya rocks are of- [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

(a) Limestone
(b) Besalt
(c) Lignite
(d) Iron-ore

Correct Answer: (a) Limestone

Solution:The rocks of the vindhya range are actually sedimentary rocks which were formed by sedimentation of water suspended particles. Among these rocks, prominent minerals are limestone, sand, china clay, etc. Limestone is the base of the cement industry.

5. In which of the following parts of India are the largest reserves of mineral resources found? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011, Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

(a) West
(b) South
(c) North
(d) South East

Correct Answer: (d) South East

Solution:Largest mineral resources in India are found mainly in the region from South East to North Eastern belt. Chota Nagpur plateau, Dandakaranya plateau and Odisha plateau are located in this region. Largest mineral resources are located in the peninsular region. This is known as heart-place of Indian minerals. Plenty of coal, iron, mica, copper and bauxite, etc. are found here.

6. The maximum prosperity of minerals is in: [R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2010]

(a) Karnataka
(b) Kerala
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Tamil Nadu

Correct Answer: (a) Karnataka

Solution:According to Indian minerals Yearbook, 2021m in terms of the prosperity of mineral resources, Karnataka in terms leading position among the above given states.

7. Most rich state in minerals in India is - [39th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1994]

(a) Rajasthan
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Bihar
(d) Orissa

Correct Answer: (c) Bihar

Solution:During the time, when this question was asked, the state of Bihar was rich in mineral production. According to Indian Bureau of Mines report. Present (2021-22, Estimated) situation in terms of mineral production on value Odisha > Chhattisgarh > Rajasthan>Karnataka > Jharkhand.

8. Given below are two statements. One labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R) : [U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

Assertion (A) : Gondwana System of Rocks provides about 95% of the coal of India.

Reason (R) : Most of the ferrous and non-ferrous minerals are associated with the Dharwar system of rocks.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Codes:

(a) Both (A) and (R) are correct, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Correct Answer: (b) Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Solution:According to Indian Mineral Year Book, 2021 Gondwana system of Rocks provides 99.53% (till April 1, 2021) of the coal of India. The important coal-bearing areas of this series are Raniganj, Jharia, Karanpur and Bokaro of the Damodar Basin in Odisha, and the Pench Valley in Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Dharwar system of Rocks: They are named Dharwar system because they were first studied in Dharwar region of Karnataka. The Dharwar system is rich in ferrous and non-ferrous minerals.

9. Non-metallic mineral is: [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

(a) Marble
(b) Manganese
(c) Silver
(d) Lead

Correct Answer: (a) Marble

Solution:Marble is a non-metallic mineral among the given options. According to Minerals of Mine annual report 2022-23, India produces as many as 95 minerals, which includes 4 fuel, 10 metallic, 23 non-metallic, 3 atomic and 55 minor minerals (including building and other materials). Manganese, Silver and Lead are metallic minerals. Silver is commonly found in acidic igneous rock mixed with lead zinc, copper etc.

10. In which rock system, out of the following, is iron-ore found in India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994]

(a) Vindhyan
(b) Cuddapah
(c) Dharwar
(d) Gondwana

Correct Answer: (c) Dharwar

Solution:Iron ore in India is found mainly in Dharwar rock system. Dharwar- rock system is the most important rock system in terms of economic value in India.

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