ii. Energy Resources/Fossil Fuels
Minerals and energy resources are crucial for economic and industrial growth, which is necessary to raise people’s living standards and quality of life.
Mineral fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas (known as fossil fuels), and nuclear energy minerals, are essential for the generation of power, required by agriculture, industry, transport, and other sectors of the economy.
- Coal: Major coal reserves are found in countries like the United States, Russia, China, and India. India has significant coal reserves, particularly in the states of Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
- Oil: The Middle East, particularly countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq, holds some of the world’s largest oil reserves. Other significant oil-producing regions include North America and Russia. India has limited oil reserves but relies heavily on oil imports.
- Natural Gas: Natural gas reserves are found in regions like Russia, Iran, Qatar, and the United States. South Asia has natural gas reserves in countries like India and Bangladesh.
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Coal |
Coal is one of the essential minerals which are mainly used in the generation of thermal power and smelting of iron ore. It is the most unevenly distributed mineral.
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Crude Oil And Petroleum |
Petroleum is the most efficient source of energy. All internal combustion engines depend upon it and Petrochemical industries process many of its byproducts, including fertilizer, synthetic rubber, synthetic fiber, drugs, vaseline, lubricants, wax, soap, and cosmetics. Major Oil Fields of the World:
South Asia: Indonesia: (Jambi, Minas, Palembang). India: Crude petroleum occurs in sedimentary rocks of the tertiary period.
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Natural Gas |
Petroleum deposits are also home to natural gas, which is liberated when crude oil is transported to the surface.
Its distribution is not uniform. Russia has the largest deposits of Natural gas. Natural gas-producing centers of the World:
South Asia:
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