Mineral Resources

ICSE Class 10 · Geography · Chapter 9

What this chapter covers

Minerals and ores
Iron ore: types and uses
Iron ore: distribution
Manganese: uses
Manganese: distribution
Copper: uses
Copper: distribution
Bauxite: uses
Bauxite: distribution
The four minerals compared
Common mistakes to avoid

Key points

A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic substance with a definite composition; an ore is a mineral from which a metal can be extracted profitably.
Iron ore and manganese are ferrous minerals; copper and bauxite are non-ferrous.
Haematite supplies most of India's iron; magnetite is the richest ore.
Iron ore: used for iron and steel and for export; leading states Odisha (Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj) and Chhattisgarh (Bailadila, Dalli-Rajhara). Singhbhum in Jharkhand is the iron ore area for map work.
Manganese: about 10 kg per tonne of steel, dry cells, bleaching powder, paints, glass; leading states Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat, Chhindwara) and Maharashtra (Nagpur, Bhandara).
Copper: wires, motors, electronics, brass and bronze; leading states Madhya Pradesh (Malanjkhand) and Rajasthan (Khetri, Dariba); India imports much of its copper.
Bauxite: the ore of aluminium, used for aircraft, cables, utensils and foil; leading states Odisha (Panchpatmali in Koraput, Kalahandi) and Jharkhand (Lohardaga, Gumla).
The eastern plateau of Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh is India's richest store of metallic minerals.

Questions answered

Define an ore. Give the ore of aluminium and the main ore of copper.

An ore is a rock or mineral from which a metal can be extracted profitably. Bauxite is the ore of aluminium; chalcopyrite is the main ore of copper.

Distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals, with two examples of each.

Ferrous minerals contain iron or are used mainly in making iron and steel, such as iron ore and manganese. Non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron, such as copper and bauxite.

Name the four types of iron ore. Which is the richest, and which supplies most of India's iron?

Magnetite, haematite, limonite and siderite. Magnetite is the richest (up to about 72 per cent iron); haematite supplies most of India's iron.

Name the two leading iron ore producing states of India and one prominent mining area in each.

Odisha (Keonjhar, Sundargarh or Mayurbhanj, e.g. Joda, Barbil, Gorumahisani) and Chhattisgarh (Bailadila or Dalli-Rajhara).

State two uses of iron ore.

It is used to make iron and steel for buildings, bridges, rails and machinery, and it is exported to earn foreign exchange.

Why is manganese important for the iron and steel industry?

About 10 kg of manganese is needed for each tonne of steel; it removes oxygen and sulphur from molten iron and makes the steel hard and tough.

Give two uses of manganese other than steel making.

Manganese dioxide is used in dry cell batteries; manganese compounds are used to make bleaching powder, insecticides and paints, and in glass making.

Name the two leading manganese producing states and one mining area in each.

Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat or Chhindwara) and Maharashtra (Nagpur or Bhandara).

Past board exam questions

ICSE 2027 sample paper · 1 mark

Identify the pair which is INCORRECTLY matched: | | | | |---|---|---| | P | Brown coal | Lignite | | Q | Coking coal | Bituminous | | R | Highest calorific value | Magnetite | | S | Reddish brown in colour | Haematite |

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ICSE 2026 sample paper · 3 marks

(a) Why is copper an important household mineral? (b) Name two Indian states where copper is found. (c) How is distribution of mineral deposits responsible for the concentration of industries in the Chhota Nagpur Plateau?

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(a) Copper is malleable, ductile and does not rust, so it is used for utensils; being a good conductor of electricity it is used for electric wiring in homes. (b) Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan (also Jharkhand). (c) Coal and iron ore, both bulky raw materials for iron and steel, are found close together in the Chhota Nagpur Plateau (with manganese and limestone nearby), so heavy industries such as iron and steel are concentrated there to save transport cost.

ICSE 2026 board paper · 2 marks

(a) Umesh and Sagar are employed in iron ore mines in two different districts of Odisha. What are their possible places of work? (b) State any two uses of copper.

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(a) Gorumahisani (or Badampahar/Sulaipat) in Mayurbhanj district, and Barbil (or Joda/Banspani) in Keonjhar district. (b) 1. Making electric wires and cables (it is a good conductor of electricity). 2. Making alloys such as brass and bronze, utensils and coins.

ICSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks

Give one word for each of the following: (a) The renewable energy produced by the natural rise and fall of ocean waters. (b) An ore of aluminium. (c) A mineral that is used to make steel strong and resistant to rusting.

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(a) Tidal energy. (b) Bauxite. (c) Manganese.

ICSE 2025 compartment paper · 1 mark

It is used for making aircrafts, ships and utensils:

Iron ore
Bauxite
Manganese
Copper

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Bauxite

ICSE 2025 board paper · 1 mark

Balaghat : Manganese : : Mumbai High : ____________

Copper
Coal
Iron Ore
Petroleum

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Petroleum

ICSE 2025 sample paper · 3 marks

(a) Give any one use of iron ore. (b) Name the mineral used to strengthen steel. (c) Name two Indian states where copper is found.

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(a) It is used in the production of iron and steel. (b) Manganese. (c) Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan (also Jharkhand). (Any two)

ICSE 2025 compartment paper · 2 marks

Copper demand in India has surged by 16% in 2023. This demand was met through increased production of refined copper. — Source: Economic Times. October 27, 2022 (a) Mention any two uses of copper. (b) Name any two states that produce large amount of copper.

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(a) Any two: making electric wires and cables; electrical and electronic goods; utensils; alloys such as brass and bronze; coins. (b) Any two: Madhya Pradesh (Malanjkhand), Rajasthan (Khetri), Jharkhand (Singhbhum).