Unit 5 # Mineral Resources

1. How would you differentiate between metallic and non-metallic minerals?

Ans: The difference between metallic and non-metallic minerals can be drawn
clearly on the following grounds:
• Metallic Minerals are minerals in which metal elements are present in their
raw form while Non-metallic minerals do not contain any metal substances
in them.
• When metallic minerals are melted a new product is formed. In the case of
non-metallic minerals, you don’t get any new product after such a process.
• Metallic minerals are usually found in igneous and metamorphic rock
formations. Conversely, Non-metallic minerals are often found embedded
in young fold mountains and sedimentary rocks.
• Metallic minerals are good conductors of electricity as well as heat. On the
contrary, Non-metallic minerals are basically good insulators of electricity
and heat.
• Metallic minerals have high malleability and ductility. whereas, Non-
metallic minerals, lack malleability and ductility and these minerals break
down easily.
• Metallic minerals generally have lustre while Non-metallic minerals do not
have any shine or lustre.

2. a) Study Figure 5-A, which shows mineral extraction in 2008 in Pakistan.

i. Name two minerals shown in Figure 5-A that are used to make cement.
Ans: 1: Limestone. 2: Gypsum.

ii. State two uses of rock salt.

Ans: 1: Used for flavour in food and for preserving.
2: In bicarbonate chemicals such as soda ash and sodium

iii. State the amount of gypsum extracted.

Ans: 640-680 thousand tonnes.

b) Study Figure 5-B, which shows chromite extraction in Pakistan.

i. Describe the changes in extraction from 1992 to 2008.

Ans: Figure 5-B shows an overall increase from 1992-2008. It was raised from
2004 to 2008. There was a sharp rise in 2007. A secondary peak can be observed
between 1996 and 1998, then a fall in 1999. Lowest extraction was 16 thousand
tons in 1994. Since 1992-2008 the amount extracted increased from 28,000 to
115,000 tons.
ii. Suggest why the extraction of minerals such as chromite varies from year to
year.
Ans: It varies because there is less government investment in mineral exploration.
More capital is needed for the exploration of minerals. There are problems with
the machinery. It is also difficult to move the machinery due to lack of roads.
Many companies fear terrorism especially in Balochistan. Reserves are also
reducing in Pakistan as new reserves cannot be explored.

Study Figure 5-C, which shows a quarry in Pakistan.

i. Use the photograph and your own knowledge to describe the environmental
problems that can be caused by mineral extraction.
Ans: Loss of vegetation by deforestation is seen from the photograph. Land is
deformed. Pits and holes like depressions are formed which are not filled after
extraction leading the water to collect making water troughs. The mineral
extraction through blasting results in the vibration and noise that also forming
cracks in the land. Rock and soil pile up everywhere. The land is eroded. Dust is
observing everywhere. There is air pollution due to smoke and gasses.
ii. How can these problems be reduced?
Ans: These problems can be reduced by legislation and strict imposition of laws.
The problems of deforestation can be solved if afforestation programmes are
started. Trees bring oxygen, the roots are held strong. The pollution of dust can
be controlled if pits are filled again. Personal health and safety measures should
be considered e.g. the miners must be given masks to cover from dust and ear
pads to save from deafening. Strict laws must be made to avoid deforestation and
causing of air, water and land pollution.

d) To what extent can more extraction of mineral resources help to increase

development in Pakistan?
Ans: More extraction of mineral resources can help in development in Pakistan.
Non-metallic minerals (gypsum, clay) are used in the construction of roads,
bridges, houses and other buildings in will boost up the infrastructure
development of the country. If metallic and non-metallic minerals are produced
domestically, Pakistan can have sound industrial development. Development of
the mining sector can provide employment opportunities in mining industry and
other mineral-based Industries.
Production of minerals will eventually increase Pakistan's domestic income and
increase its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Export of minerals and mineral
products will increase foreign exchange earnings that will help to improve balance
of payments.

3. a) Study the map, Figure 5-D, which shows Pakistan's deposits of gypsum,
limestone and rock salt.
i. Which of the three minerals is the most widespread?
Ans: Gypsum, Limestone and Rock Salt.

ii. Which of the minerals is found only towards the north of Pakistan?
Ans: Rock Salt

iii. Which of the minerals is used in the food processing industry?

Ans: Rock Salt

iv. Which of the minerals are used in agriculture?

Ans: Gypsum and limestone.

V. What would farmers use them for?

Ans: farmers use agricultural limestone which neutralizes soil acidity and provided
calcium and magnesium available for plant uptake while Gypsum is a calcium
sulfate containing product that provides both calcium and sulfate to the soil
system.

b) Why is the extraction of limestone so important to industry and agriculture in

Pakistan?
Ans: Limestone is a major sedimentary deposit and is widespread in Pakistan. It is
the main raw material for cement. It is also used in the manufacture of bleaching
powder, glass, soap, paper, paints and lime. It is used to treat sugarcane waste to
produce alcohol fuel. It is painted on barks of trees to counter pests and termite
attacks. Also used to aerate soil and treat salinity.

c) i. Name one use for gypsum.

Ans: It is raw material for cement and plaster of paris. It is used to manufacture
fertilizer, paints, and prefabricated boards and used to treat salinity.

ii. In what ways is rock salt important to industry?

Ans: Rock salt is used in cooking and as food preservation. In chemical industry it
is used in manufacturing of different kinds of sodas like caustic soda, washing
soda, soda bicarbonate. Rock salt is also used in textile, tanning and laundries.
Earn foreign exchange by exports and generate employment by mining.
d) i. Name one other non-metallic mineral extracted in Pakistan.
Ans: Marble, lime stone, Gypsum, china clay and sulphur.

ii. How does the production of non-metallic minerals in Pakistan help its
economy?
Ans: Metallic minerals are hard, tough and shiny, metals can change shape
without breaking, metals can be stretched and compressed, many metals are
good thermal and electric conductors, metals are more reactive to water and
Acid. Non-Metallic minerals are soft, rough, break away when shape is changed,
poor thermal conductor, less reactive to water and acid.

4. i. Name three ways by which coal is mined.

Ans: Three methods of coal mining are:
1. Strip or open cast mining
2. Adit mining
3. Shaft mining

ii. Why is coal produced in Pakistan described as low quality?

Ans: Pakistan Coal is of low quality. It is lignite coal. It is low in carbon
content, high in sulphur content and has impurities. It burns off quickly and does
not produce high temperature. It gives out much smoke and produces much ash.
Therefore, Pakistani coal is of low quality.

5. Read the following two statements.

A: It is essential for economic development that more minerals are extracted in

Pakistan.

B: The environmental impacts of extracting minerals is so severe that opening new

mines and quarries should be very strictly limited.

Which statement do you agree with more? Give reasons for your answer and
refer to places or examples you have studied in Pakistan to support your
answer.
Ans: Although the environmental impacts of extracting minerals are so severe
that opening new mines and quarries should be very strictly limited but It is
essential for economic development that more minerals are extracted in Pakistan.
In the 21st century, the mining sector has been shown to make important
contributions to development in many low and middle-income countries.
Pakistan is endowed with huge deposits of minerals covering an outcrop area of
more than 600,000 square kilometres.

Pakistan has the world’s second-largest coal and salt reserves; fifth-largest copper
and gold reserves and is enriched with a vast stock of crude oil and gas. Thar Coal
Mine has enough potential to meet the energy needs of the country for the next
100 years. Despite such enormous potential, the contribution of this sector to
GDP is around three per cent, while its share in exports is only 0.1 per cent.

The underutilization at the national level and the unjustifiable treatment of these
resources by foreign entities are the prime reasons for lower returns from this
sector. Pakistan is using a hackneyed technology for quarry processes, and,
therefore, fails in grabbing a good share in the domestic as well as international
market. Due to outdated technology, quarry wastage in Pakistan is 75 per cent as
compared to the international standard of up to 45 per cent.

For optimal functioning of Pakistan’s mining industry, proper consideration should

be given to building a stronger base for human capital and technology by
investing in relevant educational and technological infrastructure. Training
institutes should be set up for the provision of quality training in mining and
mineral processing. Honest treatment of Pakistan’s mineral resources could
ensure the promotion of trade, reduction in current account deficit, increase in
employment rate, and acceleration in economic growth.