Global Distribution of Minerals, Occurrence, Deposits

Minerals are natural substances with specific chemical and physical properties, often found in ores. They occur in various forms, such as in cracks of rocks, sedimentary layers, placer deposits, and ocean waters. Around the globe, different regions specialize in producing specific minerals, contributing to the world’s mineral supply.

Mode of Mineral Occurrence 

• Definition: Mineral is a natural substance of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties. 

• Forms of Mineral Occurrence: They are usually found in the form of “ores.” The mineral content of the ore must be in sufficient concentration to make its extraction commercially viable. Minerals generally occur in these forms:
• Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks: Minerals obtained from cracks, crevices and joints of igneous and metamorphic rocks: 
  • Example: tin, copper, zinc, lead etc.
• Sedimentary Rocks: Minerals deposited in strata of sedimentary rocks: 
  • Example: Coal, gypsum, potash salt and sodium salt. 
• Decomposition of surface rocks, and the removal of soluble constituents, leaving a residual mass of weathered material containing ores. 
  • Example: Bauxite is formed this way.
• Placer Deposits: occur as alluvial deposits in sands: Gold, silver, tin and platinum.
• Common salt, magnesium, Manganese nodules  and Bromine are largely derived from ocean waters.

Global Distribution of Minerals

A. Asia 

• China, Malaysia and Indonesia are the leading producers of tin. 
• China also leads in the production of iron ore, lead, antimony and tungsten.
• The continent has deposits of iron, manganese, bauxite, nickel, zinc and copper and produces more than half of the world’s tin.

B. Europe 

• Iron Ore: Russia, Ukraine, Sweden and France have large deposits of iron ore. 
• Deposits of copper, lead, zinc, manganese and nickel are also found in eastern Europe and European Russia.

C. North America: 

• The mineral deposits in North America are located in three zones: 
• Canadian Region: north of the Great Lakes, has deposits of  iron ore, nickel, gold, uranium and copper.
• Appalachian Region: has coal.
• Western Cordillera: has vast deposits of copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver.

D. South America 

• Iron-Ore: Brazil has large deposits of high grade iron-ore. 
• Tin: Brazil and Bolivia are among the world’s largest producers of tin. 
• Copper: Chile and Peru are leading producers of copper. 
• The continent has large deposits of gold, silver, zinc, chromium, manganese, bauxite, mica, platinum, asbestos and diamond.

E. Africa 

• Africa is the world’s largest producer of diamonds, gold and platinum.
• Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): has over 70% of the worldwide cobalt production, and is home to half of the world’s known cobalt deposits.[UPSC 2023]
• Gold: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zaire produce a large portion of the world’s gold.
• Copper, iron ore, chromium, uranium, cobalt and bauxite are also found
• Oil is found in Nigeria, Libya and Angola 

F. Australia

• Australia is the largest producer of bauxite in the world; 
• It is a leading producer of gold, diamond, iron ore, tin and nickel. 
  • Copper, lead, zinc and manganese are also found; 
• Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie: areas with the largest deposits of gold.

7. Antarctica: 

• Deposits of coal in the Transantarctic Mountains and iron near the Prince Charles Mountains of East Antarctica are forecasted; 
• Iron ore, gold, silver and oil are also present in commercial quantities. 

Conclusion

• The global distribution of minerals highlights the diverse geographical locations where valuable resources are found. 
• From Asia to Antarctica, each continent contributes significantly to mineral production, ranging from iron and coal to gold and diamonds. 
• Understanding this distribution aids in resource management and economic development worldwide.