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in

UNIT

3
Resources

Unit Overview Learning Objectives

3.1 Introduction ➢ Understand the

classification of
3.2 Classification of Resources resources.
3.3 Mineral resources
➢ Estimate the world
3.4 The world distribution of minerals reserves of the
3.5 Energy Resources resources.

3.6 Conservation of Resources ➢ Reason out why there is an uneven

distribution of resources.
➢ Describe the methods of conserving the
resources.
3.1 Introduction
Have you heard about Voyager 1 launched in
1977 still is travelling at the speed of 62140 km/
hour or 17 km/sec.? Do you know what fuel is
primarily because of the variation in the
used in it? It is hydrazine. What, do you think,
availability of natural resources. The US and
would be the future fuel? It is certainly going
west European countries are economically
to be hydrogen. Think about how hydrogen
prosperous because they possess vast natural
stands as an important future fuel.
and human resources and technology. On the
A resource is a naturally occurring other hand, in most parts of Africa and Asia,
exploitable material that a society perceives though they are naturally rich in resources, due
to be useful to its economic and material to their lack of knowledge, the resources are
wellbeing. Willing, healthy and skilled workers unutilised and they are not used in the service
also constitute a valuable resource, but without of man.
access to materials such as fertile soil or
petroleum, human resources are limited in their
3.2 Classification of Resources
effectiveness.
Resources are classified on various bases.
Resources are the basis of the economic Based on the continual availability,
development of any nation. Different countries resources are classified in to renewable and
are at different levels of economic development non renewable resources.

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The resources which can always be used technology and level of their feasibility.
again and again are known as renewable Petroleum resource from Mumbai High is an
resources. It means these resources have example of Developed resources.
natural regeneration and are inexhaustible. Apart from the above classifications, the
Air, water, solar energy etc are examples of resources which are available in nature are
renewable resources. Non renewable resources known as natural resources and the one created
are available in finite quantities and cannot by man is known as man-made resource.
be obtained once if they are utilized. If these Similarly the air like resources which exist
resources are used in large scale, they will get everywhere is called as ubiquitous resources
exhausted soon and as such these resources are and the resources which are concentrated
called as exhaustible resources. Coal, oil and only at specific places are known as localised
minerals are examples of this type. resources. This kind of resource may exercise
On the basis of origin, the resources are great influence on the economic development
classified in to biotic and abiotic resources. When of the respective regions.
a resource is originated from living organism,
the resource is known as biotic resource. Coal, 3.3 Mineral Resources
mineral oil and forests are examples of biotic A homogeneous, naturally occurring substance
resources. Abiotic resources are composed of which has a definite chemical composition is
non-living inorganic matter. Air, land, water and called a mineral. They can be identified by their
minerals are examples of this type. physical properties and chemical components.
On the basis of status of development, the Minerals exist in different types based on their
resources are classified in to potential resources formation. Almost everything we use, from a
and developed resources. Potential resources tiny particle to a huge building or a big ship
are those which are known to exist and may all, is made up of minerals. Minerals are one
be used in the future. Until the resource is of the most valuable resources of the earth. All
extracted and put in to use, it remains a potential the stages of human development or progress
resource. Developed resources are those which have been named after them. For example,
have been surveyed and their quality and stone age, copper age, bronze age and Iron
quantity have been determined for utilisation. Age.
The development of resources depends on
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They are exhaustible or non renewable. Mode of Occurrence of Minerals

Besides, they are distributed very unevenly. Minerals are generally found in ‘Ores’. It is
They are generally found in the form of ores. actually an accumulation of any mineral mixed
The ore contains several impurities. Minerals with other elements. Minerals generally occur
are separated from the ores involving a number in many forms. They are
of distinct processes. 1. Veins and lodes
A country’s economic development is Minerals generally occur in the cracks,
depending on the minerals. There are several crevices, faults and joints of the igneous and
types of minerals, but according to their metamorphic rocks. Minerals in smaller
characteristics and commercial use they are occurrence are called a ‘Vein’ and a larger
classified as shown in above chart. occurrence is called a ‘lode, for example,
Copper and Gold are found in lodes and veins.

Copper Lodes

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Residual mass of weathered particles

When the decomposed rocks are washed
away by water, the soluble particles are
removed, leaving a mass containing ores. Such
occurrences are called residual mass. E.g.
Bauxite

3. Alluvial deposits
These are the deposits found in the sands of
valley floor and at the foot hills. These deposits
consist of the minerals such as Gold, Silver
and Platinum.

Gold veins
2. Beds or Layers
Minerals that are formed as a result of deposition,
accumulation and concentration generally occur
in horizontal layers. E.g. Coal, Potash, etc.

Platinum

3.4 The world distribution of minerals

Metallic Minerals
The minerals which contain metal in them
are called as metallic minerals.
Iron - Ore
It is the basic mineral and the backbone of
industrial development of the world. Iron
Ore is the most widely distributed element of
Coal the earth’s crust and it rarely occurs in a free
state. It is found as the composition of many
rocks and minerals. Iron-ore makes up 4.6%
of the earth crusts. Iron is found in the form of
Iron - ore. They are classified into 4 categories.
(i) Magnetite: It is red in colour and has
72% of pure Iron
(ii) Hematite: It is black in colour and has
70% of pure Iron
(iii) Limonite: Its colour varies from dark
brown to yellow and has 50% of pure iron.
(iv) Siderite: It is brown in colour and
contains only 30% of pure iron is present.
Bauxite
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The iron content of these ores is highly variable. Major Iron ore fields in the world
If the iron content is less than 30% in an ore, Country Iron ore fields
it is considered to be uneconomical. Iron is
Australia Mt. Bruce, Mt. Goldsworthy, Mt.
mixed with fixed proportions of Manganese,
Whaleback, etc.
Nickel, Chromium or Vanadium to make
China Manchuria Region, Shandong,
different varieties of steel.
Sinkiang region, etc.
Distribution of Iron ore Brazil Itabira in south east region.
India Chhattisgarh and Bastar region,
Iron - ore is unevenly distributed in the world. Odisha, Chitradurg, Kudremukh,
Good quality Iron ore is found in Australia, Mayurbbanj region, etc.
Brazil, Russia, China, USA, Ukraine, Canada, Russia Ural region, Kuzbas, Angara, etc.
etc. Russia has the largest reserves of iron ore U.S.A Mesabi range, Marquette range,
in the world. Cornwall, Albama, Appalachian
region, etc.
Australia is the largest producer of Iron Germany Rhur basin.
ore in the world. Other leading producers are Ukraine Krivoi rog.
China, Brazil, India and Russia. The Majority of
Iron ore is (84%) produced by 5 countries alone. Manganese ore
It is a kind of Ferro-alloy used to manufacture
Iron ore the special quality steel. A little manganese
Rank Country Production Share added to iron, removes gases and acts as a
(Metric Ton) (%) ‘Cleanser’ in the manufacturing process.
1 Australia 531,075,350 33.72 Nearly 6 Kg of manganese is used for making
2 China 345,841,000 21.96 one ton of steel.
3 Brazil 271,275,900 17.22 Manganese is used for special quality
4 India 124,852,650 7.93 steel making; it makes steel anti - corrosive,
5 Russia 55,550,000 3.53 hard and clean. It helps to increase toughness,
Others 15.64 strength and durability to resist oxidation in
SOURCE: World mining data -2018
blast furnaces. It is used to produce alloys
with Copper, Bronze, and Nickel. It is used for
producing heavy machinery, tools, bleaching
IRON ORE PRODUCTION - 2016
powder, insecticides and paints.
SHARE IN %
Distribution and production of
1. Australia Manganese ore
South Africa, Australia, China, Gabon,
15.64 2. China Kazakhstan, Brazil, India, Ghana, Ukraine
3.5 and Mexico are the major countries possessing
3 33.72 3. Brazil manganese ore. South Africa is the largest
7.93 producer of manganese ore in the world,
17.22 4. India followed by Australia. The other leading
manganese producers are China, Gabon and
21.96 5. Russia Brazil. India is the 8th largest producer of
manganese in the world though it possesses
6. Others the largest reserves of manganese in the world.

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Manganese -ore production in 2016 Copper

Rank Country Production Share Rank Country Production Share
(Metric Ton) (%) (Metric Ton) (%)
1 South Africa 4,754,560 30.84 1 Chile 5,552,600 27.20
2 Australia 2,388,500 15.50 2 Peru 2,353,859 11.53
3 China 2,150,000 13.95 3 China 1,851,000 9.10
4 Gabon 1,658,500 10.76
4 United States 1,430,000 7.00
5 Brazil 1,141,684 7.41
Others 21.54 5 Congo 1,035,631 5.07
SOURCE: World mining data -2018 Others 40.13
Copper SOURCE: World mining data -2018

It is a non - ferrous, soft brown metal. It is a good COPPER PRODUCTION

conductor, with high luster, density and melting SHARE IN %
point. Copper occurs in three forms as native
1. Chile
metal in its pure state, as oxides and as sulphide.
The chief ore of copper is copper pyrite. 2. Peru
It yields nearly 76% of the world production 27.2
40.13 3. China
of copper. Copper is extracted by the process
of crushing, concentration, roasting, smelting 11.53 4. Unites States
and refining. It was discovered in the earliest 9.1
5. Congo
stage of civilization. Copper is one of the first 5.07 7
0

metals known and used by man. It is found in 6. Others

the igneous and metamorphic rocks. Copper
is very soft, but by mixing with tin, bronze can Bauxite
be obtained and mixing with zinc, brass can be
Bauxite is an important ore which is the main
obtained which is harder and tougher than pure
source of Aluminum. It is an impure raw
copper. Copper is used in
material. It generally occurs as an ingredient
(i) Electrical Engineering of chemical compounds in highly complex
(ii) Metallurgical Industries minerals such as Cryolite, Corundum and
(iii) 
Making of alloys and making tubes, Kaolin. Bauxite occurs quite near the surface
pipes, pumps, radiators and boilers. and is generally mined by open cast method.
They are also used in the production of a It has a wide range of applications which
wide range of ornamental materials. include construction of buildings, utensils
and airplane parts.
Production and distribution of
Copper Production and world distribution of
Copper deposits are found in almost every Bauxite
country. The main producers are Chile, Peru, The main Bauxite producers are Australia,
China, USA and Congo. Chile is the largest China, Brazil, Guinea and India. The World’s
producer of Copper in the world. It produces greatest Bauxite producers and exporters
27.20% of the world Copper, followed by Peru, are the countries located in the tropical and
which produces 11.53%. India holds 35th rank sub tropical region. Australia is the largest
and it produces only 0.15% of the world’s producer of bauxite in the world. India is the
production. 5th largest producer of bauxite in the world.

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BAUXITE (ORE)
Fool’s Gold refers to pyrite of
Rank Country Production Share Iron Sulphide because of its
MT in% similarity in shape and colour
1 Australia 83,516,578 29.31 to actual gold.
2 China 65,000,000 22.81
3 Brazil 39,244,200 13.77 Platinum
4 Guinea 31,117,131 10.92
Platinum is a rare metal. It is costlier than
5 India 24,664,632 8.66
gold. It has a very high melting point. It is
Others 14.53
a heavy, malleable, ductile, highly inactive,
silverish, white transaction metal. It is one
Gold of the densest metal almost twice as dense as
Gold is a precious metal which occurs in lead. Platinum is found with other rare metals
alluvial or placer deposits or as reefs or lodes such as osmium, Palladium, Iridium and
in the underground. Gold is used extensively rhodium. Platinum is also used in industrial
for jewellery and also in dentistry, glass applications. South Africa is the largest
and porcelain dyes, in medicines and other producer of platinum in the world. The other
industries. The purity of gold is expressed in leading producers are Russia, Zimbabwe,
terms of carat. China, Australia, Russia, USA Canada and USA.
and Canada are the leading producers of gold Platinum
in the world. I Rank Country Production Share
Gold Kg in%
1 South Africa 133,241 71.75
Rank Country Production Share
2 Russia 21,860 11.77
MT in%
3 Zimbabwe 15,110 8.14
1 China 453,500 14.11
4 Canada 9,300 5.01
2 Australia 282,421 8.79 5 USA 3,891 2.10
3 Russia 262,380 8.16 Others 1.33
4 United states 222,211 6.91
5 Canada 165,034 5.13 Non- metallic minerals
Others 56.90
The minerals which do not contain metal in
them are called as non metallic minerals.
GOLD PRODUCTION Mica
SHARE IN %
Mica is a Latin word micare means to shine,
1. China
to flash or to glitter. Mica has a crystalline and
2. Australia layered structure and can be split into very thin
14.11 3. Russia sheets. It does not react to water, acids, oil or
8.79 solvents. It is lightweight, flexible and strong.
8.16 4. Unites States It can resist extremely high temperatures or
56.9
6.91 5. Canada sudden changes in temperature and is able
5.13 to withstand high voltages and insulate with
6. Others
low power loss. It can absorb or reflect light,
which enables a decorative effect and protects
against ultra-violet (UV) light.

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Major Uses of Mica

Agencies involved in the
Mica has several applications. There are
exploration of minerals in
several main sectors where the use of mica
India. GSI, ONGC, MECL,
is identified. They are the paint and coatings
NMDC, IMB, BGML, HCL,
sector, Cosmetics and personal care companies,
NALCO are the departments involved in
Plastics and printing ink manufactures, the
mining in different states of India.
electronics sector, the automotive sector, the
construction industry and the oil industry.
3.5 Energy Resources
Resources may be classified into renewable and
non renewable resources. Mineral resources
like coal, Petroleum and natural gas are the
exhaustible or non renewable resources. They
cannot be reused once they are consumed.
Coal and petroleum are the fossil fuels, on
which the modern culture relies so much.
Energy gives motion to our industrial
machines and vehicles. It is the primary input
in the production of goods and services. The
wheel of progress moves with the flow of energy.
Mica
The energy resources may be classified into two
Phosphate types.
Phosphate occurs in the sedimentary rocks or
as phosphate nodules. Another source is bird (i) Non renewable sources of Energy
dropping of Guano. It is the most important Once these resources are used, they
source of phosphorus. It is mainly used in cannot be regained again. In other words,
fertilizer. China is the largest producer of they are exhaustible. They are coal, Petroleum
Phosphate in the world. The other leading natural gas and atomic fuels.
producers are Morocco, USA, Russia and Peru.
Coal
The Guano deposits are found in Peruvian and
Chilean deserts in South America. India is the Coal is a fossil fuel. It is a flammable, black
20thlargest producer of Phosphate in the world. or brown sedimentary rock and is mainly
composed of carbon. The dense forest
Phosphate (2016) plants were converted into coal due to
Rank Country Production Share intense pressure and heat inside the earth
MT in% by the process of carbonization. Most of
1 China 43,319,400 51.58 the coal resources of the world were formed
2 Morocco 8,601,000 10.24 during the carboniferous period (280 to 350
million years ago). The quality of the coal
3 USA 7,615,000 9.07 is determined by its carbon content. The
4 Russia 48,36,000 5.76 following types of coal have been identified
on the basis of their physical properties.
5 Peru 4,013,220 4.78
They are,
Others 18.57

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(i)  eat is the first stage of transformation of

P Steam Coal
wood into coal and it has only 30% to 35%
Rank Country Production Share
of carbon. (Metric Ton) in%
(ii) ignite or Brown coal is the inferior
L 1 China 2,491,793,000 47.42
quality and contains 35%-45% carbon 2 India 601,131,000 11.44
(iii) B
ituminous or coking coal is the 3 United States 553,936,000 10.54
second best variety of coal and contains 4 Indonesia 459,469,000 8.74
70%-90% of carbon. It is the most widely 5 South Africa 253,452,000 4.82
spread and most widely used variety Others 17.04
of coal. It is the most popular coal in
STEAM COAL PRODUCTION
commercial use. SHARE IN %
(iv) Anthracite is the best quality coal, which 1. China
contains more than 95% of carbon. It is 17.04 2. India
very hard but emits very less smoke and 4.82
47.42 3. Unites States
leaves very less ash. However its deposits 8.74
are limited. 4. Indonesia
10.54
Production and world distribution of 11.44 5. South Africa

Coal 6. Others
Coal reserves are found in more than 70
countries of the world but the major coal HOTS
reserves occur in the USA, Russia, China and
South Africa. China is the largest producer Why is hydrogen used as fuel in rockets?
of steam coal in the world followed by India.
The other leading producers of steam coal China was the largest producer of coking
are USA, Indonesia, and South Africa etc. coal in the world in 2016 followed by Australia.
Steam coal – It is used for producing steam The other leading producers of coking coal are
and it has high sulphur content Russia, India and USA.
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Coking Coal forms. Liquid petroleum may be in the form

Rank Country Production Share of crude oil. The solid form may be mineral
MT in% waxes or asphalts. The gaseous form is natural
gas. It is a main source of energy in the World
1 China 591,998,000 54.67
due to its multiple uses. The human activities
2 Australia 189,302,000 17.48 are directly or indirectly depend on the use of
3 Russia 83,800,000 7.74 petroleum or its sub products.
4 India 61,661,000 5.69
Formation and occurrence of mineral oil
5 United States 50,645,000 4.68 It is formed by residual chemical and bio
Others 9.74 chemical decomposition of the remains of
organic matter in sedimentary rocks. It is
Major coal mining centres found in the pores of the sedimentary rocks.
Country Mining centres Oil is lighter than water hence, floats over
China Shansi, Shantung, Fushun, water. Drilling of oil wells is the hole drilled
Shenyang, etc. in the earth’s crust and when it reaches the
rock cap, the natural gas comes out first with
India Bokaro, Jaria, Korba,
Ranikanch, Singreni, etc. a great pressure. When the pressure of gas
subsides, petroleum starts flowing out when
U.S.A Arkansas, Colorodo, Illionois,
Indiana, Michigan etc. the pressure of natural gas is released.

Australia Bowen Basin, Brisbane, Petroleum reserves of the world

Canberra, Sydney, New-castle, The west Asia or Middle East is has the largest
Tasmania, etc.
petroleum reserves, which is about 60% of the
Russia Moscow-Tula region, Chokot world’s oil reserve. The total estimated world’s
Basin, Ob basin, etc.
oil reserves in 2008 were 1,243 (109 bbl). Saudi
Trade Arabia, Canada, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait have
The main exporters of coal in the world are large reserves of petroleum.
Australia, Indonesia, Russia, Colombia and
Production and world distribution of
South Africa and the main importers are
petroleum
China, India, Japan, Korea and Germany.
The petroleum producing countries of the
Uses of Coal world can be grouped in to five geographical
Man has used coal for hundreds of years. But regions:
it has gained importance only after industrial (i) West Asia (or) middle East region
revolution. It contributes about 25% of global (ii) American region
energy demand. Coal is used for various (iii) Russian region
purposes. It is used as a source of steam energy, (iv) East & south Asian region and
electrical energy, domestic fuel, metallurgical (v) African region
coke, chemical industries and byproducts Saudi Arabia is the largest oil producer
such as Ammonium sulphate, Naphthalene, of the world with 13.62% of the world output
Phenol, Benzene, etc. of oil. Russia is the second largest producer
Petroleum (or) Mineral oil in the world. India is placed at 24th position
Petroleum is a mineral that exists under the in petroleum production in the world. The
surface of the earth in liquid, solid and gaseous distribution of oil is naturally uneven; Middle

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WORLD - MAJOR OILFIELDS W E
S

TN_GOVT_XII_Geography_chapter 03.indd 51
Alaska
Athabaska N.Sea

Alberta Sakhalin
Volga-Ural

51
Kukuk
N.Lousiana
Abadan
Arkansa Hassi Dahran
Sirte Sichuan
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Basin Ghawar
Maracaiba Lake Bombay
Aruba High Tangoon
Brunei
Niger
Delta

Daly Basin
Alice Spring
Port Hedland
Urugugy

Major Oil Fields Bass st

Not to Scale

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East contains 60% of global reserves and rest of Major Petroleum production centres
the world only 40%. Country Production centres
Petroleum Saudi Arabia Ghawar, Abquiaq, Abu
Rank Country Share in% Hadriya, etc.
1 Saudi Arabia 13.62 Russia Volga- Caspian region,
2 Russia 12.72 Kamchatka- Sakhalin region,
3 USA 12.62 Ob – Lena basin.
4 Iraq 5.09 U.S.A Tennessee- New york, ohio,
5 Iran 5.03 Indiana, Pennsylvania,
6 China 4.64 Texas, Mississippi, Gulf of
Others 46.28 California, etc.
Iraq Kirkuk, Mosul, Daura, etc.
PETROLEUM
SHARE IN % China Taching, Chinchou, yemen,
1. Saudi Arabia South china sea, etc.
2. Russia
13.62 Natural Gas
3. Unites States
46.28 12.72 4. Iraq It is the cheapest source of energy. It is
found along with or without petroleum. It is
12.62 5. Iran considered as an environment friendly fuel
6. China because of its low carbon dioxide emissions.
5.09 Therefore, this is the only fuel for the present
4.64 5.03 7. Others
century and it is also called green energy. A
powerful odorant, ethanethiol is added, so that
Trade leaks can be detected easily. It is prepared by
The world leading exporters of petroleum are refining petroleum or wet natural gas.
Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE and Canada
Natural gas reserves and Production
and the main importers are USA, China,
India, Japan and Korea. The known natural gas reserves in the
world is about 6254 trillion cubic feet. Most of
these reserves are found in Russia, Iran, Qatar,
OPEC is the short form of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, USA etc. USA has the largest
“Organisation of Petroleum reserve and is the leading producer of natural
Exporting Countries. It was gas in the world. India is the 28th producer
of natural gas in the world. It is widely used
formed in 1960 at Bagdad convention.
as a fuel in industries and domestic cooking
Initially it comprised of Saudi Arabia, Iran,
purposes. Petrochemical industries use it as
Iraq, Kuwait and Venezuela. Later on added
fuel and raw material. It is also used in chemical
in eight countries Libya, Algeria, Qatar, UAE,
industries, artificial rubber, plastic, fertilizers,
Nigeria, Ecuador and Angola, Indonesia left ink and carbon.
from OPEC in recently.

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Natural gas
Most devastating nuclear
Rank Country Production Share accidents
(Metric. (%)
1. 
Three mile Island- March
Ton)
28, 1979 USA
1 United States 755,010 20.56
2. 
Chernobyl - April 29,1986,Russia
2 Russia 641,000 17.45 3. Fukushima Daiich- March 11,2011,Japan
3 Iran 202,440 5.51
4 Qatar 181,250 4.94
Renewable sources of Energy:
5 Canada 157,179 4.28
All regions of the world are facing the twin
Other 47.26
problems of fast increasing demand for energy
Trade and limited supplies and rapidly depleting
Russia, Qatar, Norway, Canada and Algeria conventional sources of energy. Under these
are the leading exporters of Natural gas in the circumstances, non conventional sources of
world. Japan, Germany, China, Italy and Turkey energy are getting more importance. These
are the leading importers of natural gas. sources are renewable, clean and non-polluting.
They are solar, wind, geothermal, wave, tidal
Nuclear Energy
It is commonly said, this energy holds energy, bio-gas etc.
the key of future. Energy contained within the Hydel Power
nucleus of an atom is called nuclear energy.
Hydro electricity is produced by using the
Heavy metals like Uranium, Thorium, Radium,
potential energy of water falling from a certain
Plutonium and Lithium are the main sources of
height. The falling water spins the turbine blades
nuclear energy. However Uranium is the most
and energy is produced. It is a clean eco friendly
important source of nuclear energy. The nuclear
and renewable source of energy. It contributes
energy production was started first in USA in
nearly 7% of the world electricity production.
1950. Nuclear energy now provides about 11%
China has the largest potential followed by
of the World’s electricity. At present there are
more than 450 operable fission reactors in the Brazil, Indonesia, Canada and Zaire. China is
world. The world’s first commercial nuclear the largest producer of Hydro electricity in the
power station Calder Hall at Wind scale, world, followed by Canada.
England was opened in 1956.
Solar energy
Uranium (U3O8) It is based on mechanical conversion
Rank Country Production Share of solar energy into electricity. It is available
(Metric. (%) in abundance but only in the recent period it
Ton) gets more importance due to technological
development. Solar energy is used for various
1 Kazakhstan 29,113 38.89
purposes.
2 Canada 16,666 22.26
3 Australia 7,352 9.82 Noor Complex is the world’s
4 Namibia 4,308 5.75 largest concentrated solar power
5 Niger 4,101 5.48 (CSP) plant, located in the Sahara
Desert.
Others 17.80

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Kamuthi, the World’s largest single solar power plant!

Kamuthi Solar Power Project is a photovoltaic power station spread over an area of 2,500
acres (10 km2) in Kamuthi, Ramanathapuram district. The project was commissioned by Adani
Power. With a generating capacity of 648 MW at a single location, The Kamuthi Solar Power Project
was completed on 21 September 2016. Around 8,500 workers installed an average of 11 MW of
capacity per day to complete the project within 8 months. The entire solar park is connected to a
400 kV substation of the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corp. The solar panels are cleaned daily by a
self-charged robotic system.

USA is the major producer of solar cells at Wind Energy

present. It is simply the energy provided by The wind is a clean, free and readily available
the sun, which makes production of solar renewable energy source. Wind turbines are
electricity possible. Solar power in India is a capturing the wind’s power and converting it to
fast developing industry. The country's solar electricity. Wind power has become a pillar in
installed capacity reached 26 GW as of 30
their strategies to phase out fossil and nuclear
September 2018. India expanded its solar-
energy. Wind energy is now the second fastest
generation capacity 8 times from 2,650 MW on
growing source of electricity in the world. It
26 May 2014 to over 20 GW as on 31 January
fulfils about 5% of world’s electricity demand.
2018. The country added 3 GW of solar capacity
in 2015-2016, 5 GW in 2016-2017 and over 10 The world’s largest wind farm is in Altamont
GW in 2017-2018, with the average current pass in California. India is emerging as a major
price of solar electricity dropping to 18% below wind power producer of world. The important
the average price of its coal-fired counterpart. wind farms in India - (i).The largest wind farms

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in India are Muppandal in Kanyakumari District mangrove, are the 3 sites identified as potential
of Tamil Nadu and Jaisalmer wind park in areas for tidal power generation in India.
Rajasthan. They are the first and second largest
wind farms of India. Based on the location of its Geo Thermal Energy
generation it is classified into Geo thermal energy is derived from the
natural heat of the earth. The United States is
1. Onshore wind energy and
the world's largest producer, and the largest
geothermal development in the world is The
2. Offshore wind energy
Geysers north of San Francisco in California,
1. Onshore wind energy –Energy generated the U.S.
from the plants located on the land is known In India, exploration and study of
as onshore wind energy. Onshore wind has the geothermal fields started in 1970. The GSI
advantage of being one of the most affordable (Geological Survey of India) has identified 350
renewable energy sources. It is cheaper than any geothermal energy locations in the country. The
other renewable source of energy but it requires most promising of these is in Puga valley of
more area to install than any other energy. Ladakh. The estimated potential for geothermal
energy in India is about 10000 MW. There
2. Offshore wind energy –It refers to the use are seven geothermal provinces in India: the
of wind farms developed in seas and oceans. The Himalayas, Sohana, West coast, Cambay, Son-
largest offshore wind farms are currently in the Narmada-Tapti (SONATA), Godavari, and
U.K and Germany. These two countries installed Mahanadi.
2/3 capacity. London Array is the largest offshore
wind farm in the world. The first offshore wind 3.6 Conservation of Resources
farm is planned near Dhanuskodi in Tamil Nadu. It takes millions of years
for the formation of minerals.
Tidal energy - It is a renewable energy Compared to the present
powered by the natural raise and fall of ocean rate of consumption, the
water. Its production is very small. The first tidal replenishment rate of minerals
power station was located in La Rance in France. is very slow. Hence, mineral
The largest tidal power station is at Sihwa Lake resources are finite and non- renewable. Due
in South Korea and it is the largest tidal power to this, it is important to conserve the mineral
producer in the world. There are three different resources.
category of sources from which the tidal energy Ways of Conserving Resources
is generated. The sources are tidal streams,
barrages and tidal lagoons. • Controlling population growth will
reduce the demand for resources.
India’s first attempt to harness tidal power • Creating social awareness regarding
for generating electricity would be in the form the importance of conservation of
of a 3MW plant at the Durgaduani creek in resources.
sunderbans delta of West Bengal. The Gulf • Reusing and recycling of resources.
of Kutch and Cambay in Gujarat and the
Ganges delta in sunderbans, the world’s largest

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• Using the renewable source of energy • Propagating the environmental ill

as an alternative to non- renewable effects caused by various products.
resources.
• Choosing the products with less
• Developing the usage methods which packaging.
minimize the wastages.

7. Nuclear power: The use of nuclear

reactions that release nuclear energy to
1. Mineralogy: The study of minerals. generate heat, produce electricity in a
2. Ubiquitous resource: resources which nuclear power plant.
exist everywhere 8. Silicon material: Silicon is a chemical
3. Alloy: a metal made by combining two element with symbol Si and atomic number
or more metallic elements, especially 14. It is a hard and brittle crystalline solid
to give greater strength or resistance to with a blue-grey metallic lustre.
corrosion. 9. Odorant: a substance used to give a
4. Lodes: a vein of metal ore in the earth. particular odour to a product.

5. Exhaustible: Resources of which a finite 10. Corrosive: substance that will destroy
quantity is in existence. other substances with which it comes
into contact by means of a chemical
6. Mineraloids: A rock with an aggregate of reaction.
one or more minerals.

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Exercise
I. Choose the correct answer
1. Pick out the statement which is untrue about the renewable resources.

a) Th
 e resources which can always be available for use after their usage.

b) Resources have natural regeneration and are inexhaustible.

c) A
 ir, water, solar energy etc are examples for renewable resources.

d) A
 vailable in finite quantities and cannot be obtained once if they are utilized.

2. Identify the one which is untrue about the minerals.

a) M
 inerals generally occur in the cracks, crevices, faults and joints of the igneous and
metamorphic rocks.

b) Mineral in smaller occurrence in the joints of the rocks is called a ‘Vein’.

c) M
 ineral in a larger occurrence in the joints of the rocks is called a ‘lode’.

d) W
 hen the decomposed rocks are washed away by water, the soluble particles are removed,
leaving a mass containing ores. Such occurrences are called residual mass.

3. Consider the following statements and choose the correct answer.

i) Good quality Iron ore is found in Australia, Brazil, Russia, China, USA, Ukraine, Canada, etc.

ii) Russia has the third largest proven reserves of iron ore in the world.

iii) Australia is the largest producer of Iron ore in the world.

iv) The Majority of Iron ore is (84%) produced by 10 countries alone.

a) i) and ii) only b) i) and iii) only

c) iii) and iv) only d) i) and iv) only

4. Which of the following is incorrectly stated?

a) S audi Arabia is the largest oil producer of the world.

b) Russia is the second largest oil producer in the world.

c) I ndia is the 4th largest producer of oil in the world.

d) Th
 e Middle East countries contain 60% of global oil reserves.

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5. Identify the incorrect statement from the following

a) Peat is the first stage of transformation of wood into coal and it has only 30 to 35% of carbon.

b) Lignite or Brown coal is the inferior quality and contains 35-45% carbon.

c) Bituminous or coking coal is the most popular coal in commercial use.

d) Anthracite is very hard but emits more smoke and leaves very less ash.

6. Consider the following and choose the correct option

Assertion (A): Great dairying regions are located in the wet areas of the cool temperate region.

 easoning (R): Cool temperate regions have nutritious grass and there is great demand
R
for milk products.

a) Both A and B are correct but R is not the correct explantion of A.

b) Both A and B are correct and R is the correct explantion of A.

c) A is true but R is false.

d) R is true but A is false.

7. Identify the one which is incorrectly matched

Mineral Characteristics
a) Calcium - The structural element.
b) Magnesium - It is the bright and shining mineral.

c) Sodium - The oxygen carrier and an energy mineral.

d) Potassium - Another solvent mineral and heart mineral.
e) Chlorine - It is a cleanser.

8. Which of the following statements are incorrect?

i) H
 ydropower is a clean eco friendly and renewable energy.

ii) I t contributes nearly 17% of the world electricity production.

iii) C
 hina has the largest potential of hydro power followed by Brazil, Indonesia, Canada and Zaire.

iv) Canada is the largest producer of Hydro electricity in the world, followed by China.

a) i, ii, and iii only.

b) ii, iii and iv only.

c) ii and iv only.

d) i and ii only.

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9. Which of the following is not a method of conservation of minerals?

a) C
 ontrolling population growth to reduce demand for minerals.

b) C
 reating social awareness regarding conservation of minerals.

c) R
 eusing and recycling of minerals.

d) E
 ncouraging the use and acceptance of minerals which are not essential.

10. Pick the Odd one out.

a) Choose products with less packaging.

b) C
 hoose products with recyclable or reusable packaging.

c) Carry use and throw shopping bags or boxes.

d) S ay 'no' to unnecessary plastic bags and other packaging.

II Very short answer

11. Differentiate the mode of occurrence of particles of veins and lodes.

12. Why is the anthracite coal the best of its kind?

13. Name any four leading oil producing countries in the world.

14. Mention any two places of tidal energy production in India

15. 
Where is the world's largest wind farm located? Jaisalmer wind park is in which State?

III Short answer

16. What are the uses of Mica?

17. Write a note on hydelpower.

18. State any three uses of copper.
19. 
Mention any three ways of conserving resources.
20. 
Where is the world’s single largest solar power plant in the world? Write about the solar energy
production in India.
IV Detailed answer
21. Classify and describe iron ore.
22. 
List out the methods of conservation of mineral resources.
23. 
In what different ways can resources be reused?
24. On the outline map of the world, show the petroleum production centres of the world and
write a brief account of them.

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V Practice
1. Identify the alternate energy such as wind,
solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, bio fuels.

word symbol word symbol

sun

1. Energy generated in a way that does not use up 2. Resources that can be replaced over time turbine
natural resources

word symbol word symbol biofuel or

biomass

renewable
3. Resources that are limited and can't be replaced 4. Energy from moving water
resources

word symbol word symbol alternative

energy

5. Energy from once living material 6. Energy from the heat in Earth's core wind energy

word symbol word symbol

hydroelectric

7. Energy from moving air 8. Energy from the sun geothermal

word symbol word symbol nonrenewable

resources

solar energy
9. Machine that produces energy (power) when it is 10. Source of Earth's energy
moved by water, wind, or steam

Reference
1. Economic and commercial geography, K.K. Khanna and Dr. V.K Gupta
2. Human and economic Geography, Goh Cheng Leong and Gillian C. Morgan

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ICT CORNER
RESOURCES

This activity enables the students to enrich

themselves about

Resources available in the world and able

to categorise them as the headings given in
the activities.

Steps
• Type the URL link given below in the browser or scan the QR code. A page opens
with many resources available and “play game” option.
• It opens with resources on the top and the categorizing buckets at the bottom.
• You have to drag the resources and put them in the bucket. When you drag the
resources and drop them in the bucket, the bucket labelled itself for the first
droppings.
• After that you have to drag and drop the objects correctly in the bucket.
• After you completed your droppings you click the bucket it gives you the score.

Step 1 Step 2

Step 3 Step 4

Website URL:
https://www.brainpop.com/games/sortifynaturalresources/

*Pictures are indicative only.

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