A natural resource is any matter or energy derived from the environment that is used by living things, including humans – air, water, soil, minerals, fossil fuels, plants and wildlife. Based on continued availability, resources are renewable (they regenerate naturally – solar, wind, biogas, tidal and wave energy) or non-renewable (cannot be replaced after use – coal, petroleum, natural gas). This chapter covers India's minerals, energy resources and industries.
1. Minerals
A mineral is a natural substance of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties. Extracting minerals is mining; mines near the surface are open pit mines and deep mines are shaft mines.
| Organisation | Headquarters / Role |
|---|---|
| Geological Survey of India | Calcutta |
| Indian Bureau of Mines | Nagpur |
| NFTDC (Non-Ferrous Material Technology Development Centre) | Hyderabad |
| Ministry of Mines | Administration of all mines and minerals (Act of 1957) |
| MOIL (Manganese Ore India Limited) | Nagpur; market share of 50% |
| NALCO | Incorporated 1981; units at Angul and Damanjodi, Odisha |
| Coal India Limited | Kolkata |
| GAIL | New Delhi – largest state-owned natural gas company |