Non Ferrous Minerals - Concepts - Chapter 5 Class 10 Geography - Minerals and Energy Resources - Geography

Non Ferrous Minerals :

These minerals include copper, Bauxite, lead, zinc and gold.

They play a vital role in a number of metallurgical, engineering and electrical industries .

Copper :

• India is critically deficient in reserve and production of copper.
• It is malleable ( that can be hit or pressed into shape easily without breaking or cracking),  ductile (  able to be drawn out into a thin wire) and a good conductor .
• Copper is mainly used in electrical cables, electronics and chemical industries.
• Leading producers of copper :
  • Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh
  • Khetri mines in Rajasthan
  • Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.

Bauxite :

• Bauxite deposits are formed by rich in  decomposition of wide variety of rocks rich in aluminium silicates.
• Aluminium is an important metal because it combines the strength of metals such as iron, with extreme lightness and also with good conductivity and malleability.
• India’s Bauxite deposits are mainly found in Amarkantak plateau, Maikal Hills and the plateau region of Bilaspur katni.
• Odisha was the largest Bauxite producing state in India in 2016-17. 
• Panchpatmali deposits in the Koraput district are the most important bauxite deposits in the state.