Unit-5 Mineral Resources
Types of Mineral Resources:
Metallic: 1: made up of metal compounds or resembles a metal. 2: very valuable. 3: hard and shiny. 4:
economically more valuable. 5: can be stretched and compressed and they can change shape without breaking.
6: good thermal and electrical conductors. React more with acid and water.
Iron ore, Copper, Chromites, Gold, Silver, Tin, Manganese, and Bauxite.
Non Metallic: 1: economically less valuable except coal, oil and gas. 2: they are softer rough and may not
shine. 3: cannot be stretched or shine, can be broken. 4: less reactive with water and acid.
Coal, oil, Gas, Sulphur, Rock salt, Barite, Clays, Gypsum, Limestone, Soapstone, Marble.
Mineral prospects:
Any region made from igneous rock will have metallic minerals as minerals are formed by cooling of
magma.
If a region is formed by sedimentary rocks it will have non -metallic minerals.
In Pakistan the Balochistan region in the igneous zone and so are the Karakorum. Both have received
metallic minerals.
The regions of Potwar and Lower Sindh both have sedimentary rocks and have reserved of non-metallic
minerals.
Pakistan is rich in non-metallic minerals especially rock salt, limestone, coal and gas.
Pakistan has limited reserves of metallic minerals such as few deposits of chromites and iron ore.
Pakistan has fairly large deposits of gold and copper e.g saindak in Balochistan.
Pakistan’s mineral sector contributes only 0.5% in GDP.
In many areas of Pakistan quantity and quality of mineral is not known.
Most of the minerals are unexplored.
Types of Mining:
Open Cast Mining: Minerals are deposited at the shallow depth. The over burden is removed by giant
excavators and power shovels.
Minerals found by open cast: Coal, Limestone, Chromites, iron.
Effects of Open Cast Mining:
Deforestation occurs and wild life destroyed
Dust and noise pollution caused by dynamites.
Rocks thrown in open place forming surface heaps.
Dug land forming huge scar causing land disorder.
Soil become toxic no vegetation.
Benefits of Open Cast: Not expensive No risk of life. Not much digging is required.
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Adit Mining: Minerals are exposed along the surface of the hill. A tunnel is bored along the hill slope. The
tunnel passes through the slanting seams of the mineral and mining is done. The horizontal tunnels are dug into
the side of hill to reach the mineral deposits.
Mineral found by Adit Mining: Coal.
Advantages: Less environmental damage. Not much risk of life.
Shaft Tunnel Mining: Minerals are deep seated not exposed on surface. Coal is located in the greater depth.
Vertical shafts are excavated in different direction. Tunnels are dug horizontally to the layers of seams of the
minerals (Coal). Minors go down with the help of trolly.
Effects of adit and shaft tunnel mining:
Expensive and dangerous.
Gases like hydrogen Sulphite are released and people can die.
Fear of being trapped in rainfall.
Flooding can occur in mines through ground water.
Black lung disease is caused.
Mines may collapse and minors may injured.
Workers have to use gas masks and safety lamps.
Drilling Method: Oil and gas are trapped. Once a pocket of sufficient oil or gas is reached, pipes are fitted in
the wells
Advantages of Non-Metallic Minerals:
Pakistan has vast deposits.
Exports rock salt and marble to earn foreign exchange.
Used as raw materials in many industries e.g. limestone, gypsum, coal, clay are used in cement industry,
Used in thermal power stations to generate electricity e.g. coal, oil, and gas.
Provides employment.
Used to run machineries and cook food e.g. oil and gas
Limestone and gypsum are used to treat salinity.
Brine and Sulphur are used in fertilizer.
Lime stone is used to counter pest and termite attack.
Marble is usedin buildings, and clay is used to make bricks.
Advantages of Metallic Minerals:
Rapid industrial development e.g. iron.
Presence of copper will promote electrification.
Presence of Bauxite and Chromites can promote many industries.
Save foreign exchange.
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Mineral Exploration: Searching out of minerals
Minerals Exploitation: Working and taking out of minerals from mines.
Measures and policies to promote mineral exploration and exploitation:
In 1947 Geological Survey of Pakistan did useful work in searching and locating minerals.
In 1961 Oil & Gas Corporation of Pakistan was setup to explore, refine, and sell oil and gas.
In 1974 mineral corporation for exploration and marketing of minerals. And Resource Development
Corporation to develop Saindak Copper deposits of Balochistan.
Gemstone Corporation of Pakistan in 1979 to develop gemstone resources.
Importance of mineral resources in the development:
Increase trade/export/reduce imports.
Raise GDP/GNP/increase economy.
Increase employment.
Rural development/industrialization.
Better infrastructure e.g. roads, railways, power supply etc.
Provide more fuel e.g. Gas petrol.
Business opportunities local / ancillary industries/services.
Reduces national debt/deficit.
Revenue taxes for government.
Effects of Mineral Extraction on the Natural Environment.
Deforestation to clear land
Destroy habitat/wild life/plants.
Land deformation/destruction/destroys land e.g. holes/pits/depressions/spoil heaps/flooding
Ash waste/ash ponds/toxic waste.
Subsidence even after mining activity finished.
Noise pollution from machinery/blasting.
Air pollution from dust& smoke
Water pollution—seepage into ground water/rivers/seas.
Land pollution due to mining waste.
Problems faced by minors.
Poor diet/shortage of water and food.
Unhygienic conditions leads to chronic disease.
Drug addiction due to absence of social activities.
Polluted air to inhale.
