Minerals Resources Part-II

Mica, a vital non-metallic mineral formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks, is valued for its insulating properties in the electronics industry. Major mica producers are Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan. India leads global mica production with 60%, with a significant portion dedicated to exports.

Top States for Mica Production:

In India, mineral belts play a crucial role in resource distribution. The Chhota Nagpur plateau region holds more than 90% of the country's mineral wealth, with significant coal reserves in the Gondwana troughs. Madhya Pradesh boasts reserves of manganese-ores, coal, limestone, and bauxite. Tamil Nadu holds workable deposits of lignite, manganese, mica, and limestone, while Karnataka is a major producer of gold, iron, porcelain clays, and chrome ores. Andhra Pradesh possesses reserves of inferior-quality coal and mica, while Kerala concentrates heavy mineral sands. Rajasthan is rich in copper, silver, lead, zinc, uranium, mica, precious stones, and low-grade coal. Gujarat and Assam contribute to petroleum production, with Gujarat also supplying about 90% of the country's fluorite yield. Additionally, Assam has reserves of lignite, and West Bengal is a significant supplier of coal and iron ore.

Most marble shapes at convergent plate limitations where huge areas of Earth's crust are visible to local metamorphism. Some marble also shapes by interaction metamorphism when a hot magma form heats next to limestone or dolostone. Before metamorphism, the calcite in the limestone is habitually in the form of lithified fossil matter and biological wreckage. During metamorphism, this calcite recrystallizes and the consistency of the rock vagaries. In the early phases of the limestone-to-marble conversion, the calcite quartzes in the rock are very minor. In a freshly-broken hand sample, they might only be documented as a sugary vivacity of light shimmering from their tiny cleavage faces when the rock is engaged in recreation in the light. As metamorphism advances, the crystals cultivate bigger and become easily identifiable as interlacing crystals of calcite. Recrystallization disguises the unique fossils and alluvial assemblies of the limestone. It also happens without creating foliation, which usually is found in rocks that are changed by the absorbed compression of a convergent plate border. Recrystallization is what marks the parting between limestone and marble. A marble that has been visible to low stages of metamorphism will have very minor calcite crystals. The crystals become bigger as the intensity of metamorphism advances. Clay minerals in the marble will modify to micas and more multifaceted silicate assemblies as the level of metamorphism upsurges.

Most marble shapes at convergent plate limitations where huge areas of Earth's crust are visible to local metamorphism. Some marble also shapes by interaction metamorphism when a hot magma form heats next to limestone or dolostone. Before metamorphism, the calcite in the limestone is habitually in the form of lithified fossil matter and biological wreckage. During metamorphism, this calcite recrystallizes and the consistency of the rock vagaries. In the early phases of the limestone-to-marble conversion, the calcite quartzes in the rock are very minor. In a freshly-broken hand sample, they might only be documented as a sugary vivacity of light shimmering from their tiny cleavage faces when the rock is engaged in recreation in the light. As metamorphism advances, the crystals cultivate bigger and become easily identifiable as interlacing crystals of calcite. Recrystallization disguises the unique fossils and alluvial assemblies of the limestone. It also happens without creating foliation, which usually is found in rocks that are changed by the absorbed compression of a convergent plate border. Recrystallization is what marks the parting between limestone and marble. A marble that has been visible to low stages of metamorphism will have very minor calcite crystals. The crystals become bigger as the intensity of metamorphism advances. Clay minerals in the marble will modify to micas and more multifaceted silicate assemblies as the level of metamorphism upsurges.

India is rich in ancient coal fields like Gondwana coalfields (250 million years old) and tertiary coalfields (15-60 million years old). Coal mining was started during the rule of the East India Company in 1774 in the Raniganj coalfield along the western bank of the Damodar river. To increase coal production, the focus of the Government is on accelerating domestic production of coal through the allocation of more coal blocks, pursuing with the State Government for assistance in land acquisition, and coordinated efforts with Railways for the movement of coal.