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.
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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.
