Introduction:
Industrial minerals play a crucial role across diverse sectors in India, contributing significantly to manufacturing, construction, energy, electronics, healthcare, and more. The industrial minerals sector has exhibited a 1.7% year-on-year growth in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Body:
Various applications of industrial minerals and their contributions to different sectors in India:
- Construction Industry: India’s abundant limestone deposits, estimated at 93,623 million tonnes, are essential for cement production, while gypsum, with an annual production of 2.59 million tonnes, is pivotal for plasterboards. Clay supports the production of 200 billion bricks annually, sustaining construction.
- Automobile Industry: India’s substantial mica reserves, one of the largest globally, empower the automobile sector, enhancing vehicle safety and performance.
- Agriculture: The significant demand for potash (2.7 million tonnes) and phosphate consumption (5.1 million tonnes) supports India’s agriculture sector, enhancing crop productivity.
- Glass Industry: India’s silica sand production (around 28 million tonnes) is vital for glass manufacturing, driving growth in the glass industry. Ceramics Industry: India’s resources of feldspar, ball clay, and kaolin foster ceramic production for tableware, sanitaryware, and decorative items.
- Paint and Coatings: Minerals like talc and calcium carbonate, crucial to India’s paint industry, improve durability and finish in paint formulations.
- Energy Sector: India’s vast coal reserves (approximately 319 billion tonnes) are pivotal for power generation, while rare earth minerals contribute to renewable technologies, aligning with the country’s energy goals.
- Electronics Sector: Minerals like graphite and silicon find application in electronics manufacturing, particularly for semiconductors and batteries, fostering growth in the electronics sector.
Challenges:
- Environmental Impact: Unregulated sand mining poses threats to river ecosystems, affecting 25% of India’s population living in river basins.
- Regulation and Enforcement: Over 50% of mines in India operate without environmental clearance, contributing to resource depletion.
- Resource Depletion: Over-exploitation of certain minerals in India is projected to reach 935 million tons by 2050, potentially depleting reserves.
- Lack of Infrastructure: Inadequate transportation and processing infrastructure may leave more than 50% of mining and processing facilities lacking basic infrastructure.
Conclusion:
Industrial minerals serve as the backbone of India’s economy, supporting diverse sectors. Their multifaceted roles underscore their significance, driving economic growth, technological progress, and improved living standards. Recognizing their importance guides responsible extraction and usage for sustainable development.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
