India’s mineral distribution is closely linked to its geological structure. The Peninsular Plateau, composed of ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks, hosts the majority of metallic minerals. The Gondwana sedimentary basins in eastern and central India are rich in coal, while the Tertiary formations in the northeastern and western regions contain petroleum and natural gas. The coastal sands of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha hold deposits of heavy minerals like ilmenite and monazite.
Metallic minerals such as iron ore, bauxite, manganese, and copper are predominantly found in the Precambrian shield areas. Iron ore, the cornerstone of India’s steel industry, is concentrated in the Odisha-Jharkhand belt (Singhbhum, Keonjhar), Karnataka (Bellary-Hospet), and Chhattisgarh (Bastar, Durg). Bauxite, the primary ore for aluminum, is abundant in Odisha (Koraput, Kalahandi), Gujarat (Jamnagar), and Maharashtra (Kolhapur). Manganese, critical for steel production, is concentrated in Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat), Maharashtra (Nagpur), and Odisha (Sundergarh). Copper reserves, though limited, are located in Rajasthan (Khetri), Jharkhand (Singhbhum), and Madhya Pradesh (Malanjkhand).
Non-metallic minerals include limestone, dolomite, mica, and gypsum. Limestone, essential for cement and steel industries, is widespread in Rajasthan (Jodhpur, Nagaur), Andhra Pradesh (Cuddapah), and Madhya Pradesh (Rewa). Mica, used in electrical and electronic industries, is primarily mined in Jharkhand (Koderma), Andhra Pradesh (Nellore), and Rajasthan (Bhilwara). Gypsum, vital for fertilizers and plaster, is found in Rajasthan (Bikaner, Jodhpur) and Tamil Nadu (Tiruchirapalli).
Energy resources like coal, petroleum, and uranium are strategically significant. Coal, the mainstay of India’s energy sector, is concentrated in the Damodar Valley (Jharkhand-West Bengal), Son Valley (Chhattisgarh), and Godavari Valley (Telangana). Petroleum reserves are located in Assam (Digboi, Naharkatiya), Gujarat (Ankleshwar, Khambhat), and offshore regions like the Mumbai High. Uranium, crucial for nuclear energy, is mined in Jharkhand (Jaduguda), Andhra Pradesh (Tummalapalle), and Meghalaya (Domiasiat).