It takes millions of years for the formation of minerals. Compared to the present rate of consumption, the replenishment rate of minerals is very slow. Hence, mineral resources are finite and non-renewable. Due to this, it is important that we conserve the mineral resources.

→ The major resources of metallurgical coal belong to the Gondwana age and are located mainly in the north eastern part of the peninsula.
→ Rich reserves of coal are found in the Damodar Valley region in the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand. Raniganj in West Bengal and Jharia and Bokaro in Jharkhand are important coalfields. One third of the total production comes from here.
→ Coal is also found in the Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha valleys. Korba in Chhattisgarh, Singrauli and Penah-kanhan valley in Madhya Pradesh, Talcher in Orissa, Kamptee and Chandrapur in Maharashtra and Singareni of Andhra Pradesh are important coal mines.
→ Tertiary coal occur in the north eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
→ Principal lignite reserves are found in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu.

Solar energy has a bright future in India because –
→ India being a tropical country receives sunlight in abundance throughout the year.
→ Solar plants can be easily established in rural and remote areas.
→ It will minimize the dependence of rural households on firewood and dunk cakes which in turn will contribute to environmental conservation and adequate supply of manure in agriculture.

Q.1 How many percent minerals intake represents in our total intake of nutrients –
(a) 0.3 (b) 3.0
(c) 0.5 (d) 5.0
Q.2Magnetite is the finest iron or with a new higher content iron- up to –
(a) 60% (b) 70%
(c) 80% (d) 90%
Q.3 State which is the largest producer of Manganese is –
(a) Karnataka (b) Jharkhand
(c) Madhya Pradesh (d) Orissa
Q.4 Which is the oldest oil producing state in India:
(a) Gujarat (b) Maharashtra
(c)Assam (d) none of this
Q.5 India now ranks as a super power in the world, that is:
(a) Wind Super Power (b) Solar Super Power
(c) Hydel superpower (d) Tidal Super Power 

 MCQ--Ans.1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (c) 5. (a)

a) Revolution in agriculture-different type of tools invented like axe, hook, plough etc.
 b) Revolution in industry-different tools and machines like spinning.
 c) Revolution in transportation- bullock-cart, ships, boats etc.

 a) In igneous and metamorphic rocks ( cracks, crevice, faults or joints)
 b) In beds or layers of sedimentary rocks due to deposition, accumulation and concentration.
 c) Decomposition of surface rocks
 d) Alluvial deposits in sands of valleys and the base of hills as “ Placer Deposits”

a) High risk involved 
b) Due to poisonous fumes, mines are vulnerable to workers for pulmonary diseases.
c) Risk of collapsing mines roofs, and fires in coal mines.
d) Water sources get contaminated

a) Coal and natural oil are exhaustible.
b) Nuclear power plants are easy to handle
c) Most developed countries are utilizing this energy successfully
d) It can be useful in fields of medicines and agriculture
e) Hydel energy is not satisfactory due to environmental issues