This article deals with ‘Non-Metallic Minerals(UPSC Notes).’ This is part of our series on ‘Geography’, which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you canclick here.
Mica
Mica is primarily used in the electronic and electrical industries.
Useful Property:
It can be split into thin sheets, which are tough and flexible.
It can withstand high voltage & has a low power loss factor.
India has the largest deposits & largest producer of mica in the world. However, owing to the development of substitutes, its demand is decreasing.
Global Distribution
USA
Russia
Ukraine
Brazil
South
Africa
Tanzania
Zambia
Norway
Canada
India Distribution
Jharkhand
Hazaribagh Plateau
Andhra
Nellore district produces the best quality.
Rajasthan
The Mica belt extends from Jaipur to Bhilwara to Udaipur.
Karnataka
Mysore and Hasan districts
Maharashtra
Ratnagiri
Tamil Nadu
Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai and Kanyakumari
Kerala
Alleppey
Diamond
Diamond is a precious stone known for brilliance, luster, transparency & hardness.
Global Distribution
South Africa, the
Republic of Congo, Australia, Ghana, Angola & Namibia are the leading
producers.
South Africa
Kimberley
Congo
Katanga
Plateau (largest producer)
Australia
Kalgoorlie
and Koolgardie
India Distribution
Madhya Pradesh
Vindhyan
formations (Panna district) is the main diamond-producing area. World-famous
Kohinoor is also from these mines.
Andhra Pradesh
Kurnool
and Anantapur
Karnataka
Raichur
Cutting &
polishing diamonds is mainly carried out in Surat, Ahmedabad, Navsari,
Bhavnagar, Mumbai, and Jaipur.
Limestone
Limestone formations consist of either calcium carbonate, carbonate of calcium & magnesium, or a combination of both.
Additionally, limestone comprises small amounts of silica, alumina, iron oxides, phosphorus, and sulfur.
Limestone deposits are of sedimentary origin and are present in geological sequences from Pre-Cambrian to Recent, excluding Gondwana.
The cement industry utilizes 75 per cent of limestone, with 16 per cent used in the iron and steel industry as a flux and 4 per cent used in chemical industries. The remaining limestone finds applications in diverse sectors such as paper, sugar, fertilizers, etc.
Limestone is produced in all states across India, with Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu contributing to over three-fourths of the total limestone production in the country.
India Distribution
Madhya Pradesh
MP is the largest producer (16% of total production), with mines in Jabalpur, Betul and Satna.
Rajasthan
Limestone production occurs in almost all the districts of Rajasthan.
Andhra Pradesh
Cement-grade limestone is found here, especially in the Cudappah and Guntur regions.
Gujarat
Found in Banaskantha
Chhattisgarh
Found in Bastar and Durg districts
Tamil Nadu
Found in Ramnathapuran, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli etc.
Global Distribution
China
China is the largest producer of limestone.
USA
A significant amount of limestone is found in Texas, Kentucky and Indiana.
India
Discussed above
Russia
A substantial amount is found in the Ural mountains and Siberia.
Other
Other producers include Brazil, Mexico, etc.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral.
Its commercial value is attributed to its fibrous structure, high tensile strength filaments, and exceptional fire resistance.
Important applications of Asbestos include
Manufacturing fire-proof items such as cloth, rope, paper, millboard, and sheeting.
Production of aprons, gloves, and automobile brake linings
Asbestos cement products, including sheets, pipes, and tiles, used in construction
Mixed with magnesia, it contributes to the production of ‘magnesia bricks’ used for heat insulation.
Health Concerns: The use of Asbestos in construction has decreased significantly due to health concerns associated with exposure to Asbestos.
India Distribution
Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh are the largest
producers of Asbestos in India.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan is the largest producer, with a primary concentration in Udaipur, Alwar, Dungarpur, Ajmer, etc.
Andhra Pradesh
Mainly found in Cuddapah districts.
Karnataka
Found in Mandya, Shimoga, Chikmagalur and Hassan districts.
Global Distribution
Russia
Leading global producer with main concentration in aural Mountains
China
China has an extensive Asbestos concentration in Inner Mongolia.
Kazakhstan
Found in the Altai Region
Canada
Canada was a major asbestos producer, with mines in Quebec; however, the industry has significantly declined in recent years due to health concerns.
It appears as a white, opaque, or transparent mineral.
It is found in sedimentary formations like limestones, sandstones, and shales.
Main uses
Used as raw material in Ammonia Sulphate Fertilizer
Gypsum is used to make cement, Plaster of Paris, and Tiles.
It is used as surface plaster in agriculture to retain soil moisture and facilitate nitrogen absorption.
Indian Distribution
Rajasthan: Rajasthan leads gypsum production in India, accounting for 99% of total production. Rajasthan has major deposits in Jodhpur, Nagaur, Bikaner and Ganganagar.
Minor producers include Tamil Nadu (Tiruchirappalli district), Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.
Global Distribution
China
China is the
largest producer of gypsum globally.
USA
The
U.S. is also a major producer of gypsum.
Iran
Iran is known to
have significant gypsum reserves.
Spain
Spain is a key
player in the European market.
Salt
Salt can be derived from various sources, like
Seawater
Brine springs
Salt pans in lakes
Rock formations
Main producers include
Sea Water: The Gujarat coast alone
contributes nearly half of the total salt production in India. Other
contributors include Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Salt Lakes: Sambhar Lake in
Rajasthan accounts for approximately 10% of the nation’s annual salt
production.
Rock
Salt: Mandi
district in Himachal Pradesh is known for its rock salt production.
