Mineral Based Industries: Revealing the Diversity of Raw Material Applications

These industries use minerals as a raw material. Some industries use ferrous metallic minerals which contain ferrous (iron), such as iron and steel industries but some use non-ferrous metallic minerals, such as aluminium, copper and jewellery industries. Many industries use non-metallic minerals such as cement and pottery industries.

Here’s a brief overview of industries that use ferrous and non-ferrous metallic minerals

Iron and Steel Industry: The Backbone of Industrial Development in India

• These industries, commonly known as mineral based industries, rely on minerals as their primary raw materials.
• Foundational Role of the Iron and Steel Industry: The iron and steel industry is the basic industry since all the other industries — heavy, medium and light, depend on it for their machinery.
• Diverse Applications of Steel: Steel is needed to manufacture a variety of engineering goods, construction material, defence, medical, telephonic, scientific equipment and a variety of consumer goods.

• A Development Indicator: Production and consumption of steel is often regarded as the index of a country’s development. 
• Heavy Industry Economics: Iron and steel is a heavy industry because all the raw materials as well as finished goods are heavy and bulky entailing heavy transportation costs.
• Iron and Steel Hub: The Chota Nagpur plateau region boasts the highest concentration of iron and steel industries(Mineral Based Industries) (Refer Figure), primarily due to the relative advantages such as
  • The availability of low-cost iron ore, 
  • Proximity to high-grade raw materials, 
  • Access to affordable labour, and 
  • Significant growth potential within the domestic market.
• Steel Belt of India:  This belt is source of raw material for mineral based industries. Currently, all the important steel producing centres such as Bhilai, Durgapur, Burnpur, Jamshedpur, Rourkela, Bokaro are situated in a region that spreads over four states — West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. 
  • Bhadravati and Vijay Nagar in Karnataka, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Salem in Tamil Nadu are other important steel centres utilising local resources.

Process of obtaining steel

Evolution of Iron and Steel Industry: Shifting Landscapes and Global Perspectives

• Pre-1800 Iron and Steel Industry(Mineral Based Industries): Before 1800 A.D the iron and steel industry was located where raw materials, power supply and running water were easily available.

Changing location of the iron and steel industry

• Evolution of Ideal Locations: Later the ideal location for the Mineral Based industries was near coal fields and close to canals and railways.
• Strategic Shift: After 1950, the iron and steel industry began to be located on large areas of flat land near sea ports. 
  • This is because by this time steel works had become very large and iron ore had to be imported from overseas. 

Process of Manufacture of Steel

World: Major Iron Ore Producing Areas

Aluminium Smelting: Harnessing Light, Resilient, and Versatile Metal for Modern Industries

• It is crucial Among Mineral Based Industries
• Aluminium smelting is the second most important metallurgical industry in India.
• Aluminium’s Unique Properties: It is light, resistant to corrosion, a good conductor of heat, malleable and becomes strong when it is mixed with other metals.

• Uses of Aluminium: It is used to manufacture aircraft, utensils and wires.
• Emerging as a Preferred Substitute: It has gained popularity as a substitute of steel, copper, zinc and lead in a number of industries.
• Geographic Spread: Aluminium smelting plants in India are located in Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Process of Manufacturing in Aluminium Industry

Chemical Industries in India: Catalysts of Growth, Innovation, and Resource Utilization

• Chemical-based industries form a diverse sector that involves the production of a wide range of products through chemical processes. 
  • These industries play a crucial role in various sectors of the economy, producing chemicals that serve as raw materials for other industries
• Chemical Industry Boom in India: The chemical industry in India is experiencing rapid growth and diversification, encompassing both large and small-scale manufacturing units.
  • This expansion is evident in both the inorganic and organic sectors of the industry.
• Natural Resource Utilization:  These industries use natural chemical minerals, e.g. mineral-oil (petroleum) is used in the petrochemical industry.
  • Salts, sulphur and potash industries also use natural minerals.
  • Chemical industries are also based on raw materials obtained from wood and coal.
  • Synthetic fiber, plastic, etc. are other examples of chemical based industries.
• Self-Sustaining Cycle: The chemical industry is its own largest consumer. 
  • Basic chemicals undergo processing to further produce other chemicals that are used for industrial application, agriculture or directly for consumer markets.

Nourishing Growth: The Vital Role of the Fertilizer Industry in Agriculture

• • Key Role in Agriculture: The fertilizer industry is a crucial component of the agricultural sector, contributing significantly to global food production by providing essential nutrients to plants.
  • Nutrient Production: The fertiliser industry primarily focuses on the production of nitrogenous fertilisers, mainly urea, phosphatic fertilisers, including ammonium phosphate (DAP), and complex fertilisers that combine nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), and potash (K). 
  • Potash Dependency: Importantly, potash is entirely imported since the country lacks any reserves of commercially usable potash or potassium compounds in any form.
  • Post-Green Revolution Expansion: Following the Green Revolution, the fertiliser industry expanded to various regions across the country. 
    • Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Kerala collectively contribute to half of the total fertiliser production.

The Crucial Role of the Cement Industry in Construction

• Building the Foundation: It is also one of the  Mineral Based industries Cement is essential for construction activity such as building houses, factories, bridges, roads, airports, dams and for other commercial establishments.
• Bulk and Heavy: This industry requires bulky and heavy raw materials like limestone, silica and gypsum.

Nurturing Nature’s Wealth: Exploring the Diversity of Forest-Based Industries

• Forests as Resource Treasures: The forests provide many major and minor products which are used as raw material
  • Forest-based industries are a diverse sector that utilizes wood and other forest resources to produce a wide range of products. 
• Wood-Based Industries: These industries play a significant role in the economy, providing materials for construction, paper, furniture, and various other products.
• Example: Timber for the furniture industry, wood, bamboo and grass for paper industry, lac for lac industries come from forests.

From Farms to Factories: The Diversity of Animal-Based Industry

• From Farms to Factories: Animal-based industries encompass a range of economic activities that utilize animals or their by-products to produce various goods and services.
• Source of Raw Material: The leather industry sources its raw material, leather, from animals, while the wool used in the production of woollen textiles is obtained from sheep.
  • Additionally, ivory is derived from the tusks of elephants. 

Also Read: Mitigating Industrial Pollution: Strategies, Impact, Solutions for Environmental Preservation

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