Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana belts.
  2. Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma.
  3. Dharwars are famous for petroleum.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • 1 and 2
  • 2 only
  • 2 and 3
  • None

Answer: (b) 2 only

Notes:

  • Gondwana is famous for coal fields not for natural gas.
  • Dharwar (Karnataka) has other minerals like iron, manganese, not petrol.
  • Mica occurs in Kodarma mines in Jharkhand.
Natural Gas
  • Distribution: Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Khambhat, Bassein field, Bombay High, Barmer in Rajasthan, KG basin, Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, etc.
  • India’s economically viable reserve of natural gas is 541 BCM (on-shore, Assam, and Gujarat), besides them 190 BCM offshore in Bay of Cambay and 190 BCM(billion cubic metres) in Bombay High.
  • Recently a huge reserve of 400 BCM is reported in Tripura Basin. Besides them, 72 BCM is in the Rava structure and a huge reserve is reported around Andaman and Nicobar island.
  • On the basis of remote sensing information, Andaman and Nicobar reserves are estimated to be around 1700 BCM. Its economic viability is yet to be established, that’s why production has not yet started. This reserve will solve the problem or need of India for 100 years. This may produce an economic revolution in eastern India.
Mica
  • Mica is a naturally occurring non-metallic mineral that is based on a collection of silicates.
  • Mica is a very good insulator that has a wide range of applications in the electrical and electronics industry.
  • It can withstand high voltage and has a low power loss factor.
  • It is used in toothpaste and cosmetics because of its glittery appearance. It also acts as a mild abrasive in toothpaste.
  • India is one of the foremost suppliers of mica to the world.
    • Mica-bearing igneous rocks occur in AP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan.
  • Mica Reserves in India
    • Andhra Pradesh (41 per cent)
    • Rajasthan (21 per cent)
    • Odisha (20 per cent)
    • Maharashtra (15 per cent)
    • Bihar (2 per cent)
    • Jharkhand (Less than 1 per cent)
  • Mica Distribution and Production in India
    • India has a near-monopoly in the production of mica [60 % of the world’s total].
    • Production decreased in recent times due to the fall in demand in the international market.
      • Fall in demand is due to better synthetic alternatives that are available.
Strategic Petroleum Reserve
  • Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited is an Indian company responsible for maintaining the country’s strategic petroleum reserves.
  • ISPRL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Oil Industry Development Board, which functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
  • Strategic crude oil storages are at three underground locations in Mangalore, Visakhapatnam and Padur (Udupi, Karnataka), Chandikhole, Odisha.

Also Read: