Points to Remember:
- India’s mineral resources are diverse but vary in terms of global reserves.
- Identifying the mineral with the largest global deposit held by India requires factual knowledge of global mineral reserves.
Introduction:
India possesses a significant endowment of mineral resources, crucial for its industrial development and economic growth. However, the extent of these reserves varies considerably when compared to global totals. While India is a major producer of several minerals, determining which mineral it holds the largest global deposit of requires examining global reserve data. This question demands a factual approach, relying on verifiable data on global mineral reserves.
Body:
Global Mineral Reserves: Accurate and up-to-date data on global mineral reserves is crucial for answering this question. Different geological surveys and organizations may provide slightly varying figures, but a general consensus exists regarding the relative sizes of global deposits for major minerals.
Analysis of Options:
(A) Iron Ore: India possesses substantial iron ore reserves, and is a major producer. However, countries like Brazil, Australia, and Russia hold significantly larger reserves globally. Therefore, India does not have the world’s largest iron ore deposit.
(B) Coal: India is a major coal producer and consumer, but its reserves are not the largest globally. Countries like the United States, China, Russia, and Australia possess far greater coal reserves.
(C) Kyanite: This is where the answer lies. India holds the world’s largest deposits of kyanite, a mineral used in the refractory industry. While precise figures fluctuate, India’s dominance in kyanite reserves is widely acknowledged.
(D) Manganese: India has significant manganese reserves and is a major producer. However, South Africa, Australia, and Gabon possess larger reserves globally.
Conclusion:
In summary, while India boasts substantial reserves of several minerals, it does not hold the world’s largest deposits of iron ore, coal, or manganese. However, the correct answer is (C) Kyanite. India possesses the world’s largest known deposits of this crucial industrial mineral. This highlights the importance of strategic resource management and the need for sustainable mining practices to ensure the long-term availability of this vital resource. Further research and exploration could potentially reveal even larger deposits elsewhere, but currently, India’s dominance in kyanite reserves is undisputed. Focusing on responsible extraction and value addition within the kyanite industry can contribute significantly to India’s economic growth and global competitiveness.
JPSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for JPSC Prelims and JPSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by JPSC Notes are as follows:-- JPSC Mains Tests and Notes Program 2025
- JPSC Prelims Exam 2020- Test Series and Notes Program 2025
- JPSC Prelims and Mains Tests Series and Notes Program 2025
- JPSC Detailed Complete Prelims Notes 2025