NOTES ON
Mineral Resources & Conventional Sources of Energy
1.
Conventional Sources of Energy
1. The sources of energy which
have been in use for a long time,
e.g., coal, petroleum, natural gas
and water power.
2. They are exhaustable except
water.
3. They cause pollution when used,
as they emit smoke and ash.
4. They are very expensive to be
maintained, stored and transmitted
as they are carried over long
distance through transmission grid
and lines.
2.
Gondwana coalfields
Almost free from moisture and
contains sulphur and phosphorous.
Coal is mainly of bituminous quality.
2oo million years of age.
Located mostly near river valleys of
Mahanadi, Godavari Krishna.
3.
Non-Conventional Sources of
Energy
1. The resources which are yet in
the process of development over
the past few years. It includes
solar, wind, tidal, biogas,
geothermal and biomass.
2. They are inexhaustible.
3. They are generally pollution
free.
4. Less expensive due to local use
and easy to maintain.
Tertiary Coalfields
Contains higher moisture content more
sulphur and associated with marine
sediments.
Coal is mainly of lignite quality.
50 million years of age.
Scattered in North-East states, Gujarat
and Tamil Nadu.
 Metallic minerals Non-metallic minerals
are those minerals which can be melted are those which do not yield new
to obtain new products. products on melting.
They are usually hard and have shines They are not so hard and have no shine
or luster of their own. or luster of their own.
When hit, they don't break. Examples When hit, they may get broken into
of metallic minerals are iron, copper, pieces. Examples of non-metallic
bauxite, tin etc. minerals are coal, salt, clay, marble,
etc.

4.
Areas Refineries Sources
On the East Guwahati Noonmati Moran & Naharkatia
On the West Trombay [BPCL] Mumbai High
Inland Mathura UP Mumbai High

Give Reasons:---
1) Coal is known ‘Black Diamond’ because of its high utility a source of energy
and as a raw material for a large number of industries.
2) Petroleum is called ‘Liquid Gold’ or ‘Black Gold’ because of its high utility
in transport as a fuel and deriving power as well as a host of petro-chemical
products.
3) The location of coalfields is an important factor in industrial development as
coal is bulky and combustible raw material that provides energy to an industry
hence its transportation time and expenditure both would be reduced.
 4) Mineral oil is transported to great distances in India because 65 % of India’s
oil is contributed by off shore oil fields such as Mumbai High, Bassein,
Aliabet island, which has to be brought to the area of production in the
interiors Whereas
5) Coal is utilised near the source of its production because most of the steel
plants as well as thermal power plants are located near the mines
6) Most of the refineries of India located near sea ports as the bulk of oil
consumed here arrives by the sea route. So in order to reduce the
transportation cost refineries are located near sea.
7) Petroleum is called Mineral oil as it is obtained from rocks, particularly
sedimentary rocks of the earth.
8) India has to import oil because the oil reserves in India have a limited supply
of 1/3 as compared to the 2/3 of the demand is fulfilled by the imports from
other countries.
9) There is a need to conserve coal.
i. Because it is a non-renewable resource.
ii. It is backbone of industrialisation process.
iii. Demand for petrol and petroleum products are increasing.
iv. It is one of major sources of commercial energy.
v. Due to increased pace of industrialisation.
10) Coal plays major role in industrialisation process. Justify the statement.
It is the main source of energy. More than 60 percent commercial energy is
obtained from coal.
It is used as basic input in iron and steel industry