Q. "Discuss the distribution of major minerals in India and the need for their conservation."

Approach:
Introduction
• Begin by highlighting India’s rich but uneven distribution of mineral resources.
• Mention the Chota Nagpur Plateau as the core mineral region, rich in coal, iron ore, bauxite, and mica.
• Briefly introduce how mineral distribution influences regional industrial growth and strategic planning.
II. Body
• Define major minerals based on their industrial significance, economic value, and requirement for large-scale mechanized extraction.
• Mention legal framework and authority – governed by the MMDR Act, 1957 and regulated by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
A. Distribution of Major Minerals
• Classify minerals into:
• Metallic (Iron, Bauxite, Manganese, Copper, Gold) with state-wise examples.
• Non-metallic (Limestone, Mica, Gypsum) – mention industrial utility.
• Energy Minerals (Coal, Lignite, Uranium, Thorium) – link with energy security.
• Strategic/Critical Minerals (Lithium, Cobalt, REEs) – essential for EVs, solar, and electronics.
B. Need for Conservation
• Highlight minerals as non-renewable and rapidly depleting.
• Explain pressures from urbanisation and industrialisation.
• Note environmental degradation and tribal impacts.
• Emphasise import-dependence on critical minerals.
• Link conservation to inter-generational equity and SDG 12.
III. Conclusion
• Highlight KABIL’s role in securing critical minerals through international collaborations.
• Emphasize its contribution to EV growth and mineral self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Introduction:
India’s mineral resources are richly distributed but geographically uneven. The Chota Nagpur Plateau, often called the “Ruhr of India”, is the country’s richest mineral belt—abundant in coal, iron ore, bauxite, and mica across states like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. In contrast, minerals like copper and gold are limited and localised. This spatial concentration has driven the emergence of resource-based industries and shaped regional economic patterns, highlighting the strategic role of mineral geography in India's development.

Body:
Major minerals refer to those minerals that have significant economic value, are used extensively in industries and infrastructure, and typically require large-scale mechanized extraction. They include both metallic minerals (like iron ore, bauxite, copper) and certain non-metallic minerals (like limestone and mica), as well as energy minerals like coal and lignite.
-The classification and regulation of major minerals is governed by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which fall under the purview of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India
1. Distribution of Major Minerals in India
A. Metallic Minerals
1. Iron Ore – Odisha (Barbil-Koira Valley), Chhattisgarh (Bailadila), Jharkhand (Singhbhum), Karnataka (Bellary-Hospet)​
2. Bauxite – Odisha (Koraput, Kalahandi), Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra​
3. Manganese – Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh.
4. Copper – Jharkhand (Singhbhum), Madhya Pradesh (Malajkhand), Rajasthan (Khetri).
5. Gold – Karnataka (Kolar, Hutti), Andhra Pradesh (Ramgiri)​
B. Non-Metallic Minerals
-Limestone – Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat.
-Mica – Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh.
-Gypsum – Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir ​
C. Energy Minerals
-Coal – Jharkhand (Jharia, Bokaro), Odisha (Talcher), Chhattisgarh (Korba), West Bengal (Raniganj)​
-Lignite – Tamil Nadu (Neyveli), Rajasthan (Palana), Gujarat.
-Uranium – Jharkhand (Jaduguda), Andhra Pradesh (Tummalapalle).
-Thorium – Kerala monazite sands, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh coast
D. Strategic and Critical Minerals
-Lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earths are crucial for EVs, solar panels, wind turbines, and electronics.
-Recent exploration includes lithium in Karnataka, REEs in Rajasthan, and Tungsten in MP.
-India’s Critical Minerals List (2023) outlines 30 vital minerals, supported by KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd) for overseas acquisition.
-Conservation and localisation of these minerals are vital for India's energy transition and strategic autonomy.

2. Need for Conservation of Minerals
A. Non-renewable and Finite Nature
-Mineral resources are non-renewable and take millions of years to form.
-Overexploitation leads to premature exhaustion, especially of high-grade ores.
B. Rising Demand and Industrial Pressure
-Rapid urbanization and infrastructure growth have increased demand for minerals.
-India’s steel, cement, and energy sectors are heavily mineral-dependent.
C. Environmental Concerns
-Mining causes deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution.
-Improper disposal of overburden affects ecosystems and tribal communities.
D. Strategic and Critical Mineral Security
-Minerals like lithium, cobalt, rare earths are essential for future green technologies.
-India faces a supply risk due to import dependency and needs long-term stockpiling and recycling strategies​
E. Inter-generational Equity
-Sustainable mining ensures that future generations have access to these critical resources.
-Aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Conclusion:
By ensuring raw material access for EVs and clean energy, it reduces import dependency and strengthens India’s mineral self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat. KABIL plays a strategic role in securing critical minerals like lithium and cobalt through overseas partnerships in countries such as Argentina and Australia.