Consider the following minerals: 1. Bentonite 2. Chromite 3. Kyanite 4. Sillimanite In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals?
(b) 4 only
Understanding Major and Minor Minerals in India
In India, minerals are broadly classified into two categories: major minerals and minor minerals. This classification is primarily based on the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and the rules framed under it. The Central Government notifies the list of major minerals, while State Governments have the power to classify and regulate minor minerals.
Major minerals typically include those minerals that are used in large quantities or are of strategic importance, such as coal, metallic minerals (iron ore, copper ore, bauxite, chromite), atomic minerals, and others like limestone, mica, etc. Minor minerals are generally construction materials or minerals used locally, like building stones, sand, ordinary clay, etc. However, this classification can sometimes change based on government notifications.
Analyzing the Given Minerals and their Classification
The question asks which of the given minerals are officially designated as major minerals in India. Let's consider the listed minerals:
- Bentonite
- Chromite
- Kyanite
- Sillimanite
We need to determine which of these fall under the category of major minerals based on official classifications.
| Mineral | Classification (Implied by Correct Answer) |
|---|---|
| Bentonite | Minor Mineral |
| Chromite | Minor Mineral |
| Kyanite | Minor Mineral |
| Sillimanite | Major Mineral |
Based on the options provided and identifying the correct option which states "4 only", it is implied that only Sillimanite among the given list is designated as a major mineral.
Evaluating the Options
Let's examine the given options based on this understanding:
- Option (a) 1 and 2 only: This includes Bentonite and Chromite. Based on the implied classification, neither 1 nor 2 are major minerals from this list. So, this option is incorrect.
- Option (b) 4 only: This includes only Sillimanite. Based on the implied classification derived from the correct option, Sillimanite is a major mineral. So, this option aligns with the correct answer.
- Option (c) 1 and 3 only: This includes Bentonite and Kyanite. Based on the implied classification, neither 1 nor 3 are major minerals from this list. So, this option is incorrect.
- Option (d) 2, 3 and 4 only: This includes Chromite, Kyanite, and Sillimanite. Based on the implied classification, only 4 is a major mineral from this list. So, this option is incorrect.
Therefore, the option that correctly identifies the major mineral(s) from the given list is (b) 4 only, indicating that only Sillimanite is officially designated as a major mineral among the specified minerals.
Revision Table: Minerals Classification Key Points
| Classification Category | Governing Authority | Regulation Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Major Minerals | Central Government | Extensive regulation, often involving exploration, mining leases, etc. |
| Minor Minerals | State Governments | Regulation primarily pertains to quarrying permits, royalty rates, etc. |
Additional Information on Mineral Classification in India
The classification of minerals as 'major' or 'minor' has significant implications for their regulation and governance in India. Major minerals fall under the purview of the Central Government, which frames policies, grants reconnaissance permits, prospecting licenses, and mining leases for many important minerals. The Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, and the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017, govern major minerals.
State Governments, on the other hand, have the legislative and executive powers to regulate minor minerals. This includes making rules for granting mineral concessions (like quarry leases or mining leases for minor minerals), collecting royalties, and preventing illegal mining. The definition and list of minor minerals can sometimes vary slightly from state to state, although there is a broad consensus on common items like sand, gravel, building stones, and ordinary clay.
The classification can be complex and subject to amendments. Minerals that are sometimes classified as minor include building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand, limestone used for lime burning, and kankar. Minerals typically classified as major include metallic ores, coal, lignite, petroleum, natural gas, and many industrial minerals like mica, gypsum, barytes, dolomite, felsite, fireclay, quartz, steatite, and mineral sands (like ilmenite, rutile, monazite, zircon, garnet, sillimanite). However, specific official lists should always be referred to for definitive classification at any given time.
Important Questions from Current Affairs
What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture ?
1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible.
2 Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible.
3. Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible.
4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January - March
2. OMT collected during January - March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements :
1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to India's Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?
1. It is spread over two districts.
2. There is no human habitation inside the Park
3. It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Siachen Glacier is situated to the
