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Difficulty: HardMineral and Energy Resources of India

With reference to the geological distribution of mineral and energy resources in India, consider the following statements:

1. Gondwana coal deposits, which account for over 98% of India's total coal reserves, are predominantly concentrated in the river valleys of Damodar, Mahanadi, Son, and Godavari.
2. Major bauxite deposits along the Eastern Ghats belt in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are associated with lateritic cappings on high-altitude plateau surfaces.
3. The Deccan Trap region contains India's largest reserves of high-grade prime coking coal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    1 and 3 only
  3. C
    2 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 1 and 2 only are correct.
Statement 1 is correct because Gondwana coal comprises over 98% of India's total coal deposits and is located in major river basins like the Damodar (Jharkhand/West Bengal), Mahanadi (Odisha), Son (Madhya Pradesh), and Godavari (Telangana/Andhra Pradesh). Statement 2 is correct because Indian bauxite reserves are formed by intense sub-aerial tropical weathering of aluminous rocks, creating extensive laterite caps on hill tops and plateaus across the Eastern Ghats. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Deccan Trap is composed of igneous basaltic rocks resulting from fissure volcanic eruptions, which do not contain coal beds. India's coking coal is strictly confined to Gondwana sedimentary basins, primarily Jharia in Jharkhand.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding coal distribution
Statement 1 is correct. About 98% of India's coal reserves belong to the Gondwana geological age, located primarily in Peninsular river valleys (Damodar, Son, Mahanadi, and Godavari).
Gondwana coal deposits were formed in synclinal troughs along river basins during the Carboniferous/Permian periods.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding bauxite distribution
Statement 2 is correct. Bauxite deposits are residual weathering products of rocks rich in aluminum silicates and occur as lateritic cappings on plateaus, particularly in Odisha (Kalahandi-Koraput belt) and Andhra Pradesh.
Tropical weathering and leaching of aluminous rocks lead to laterite formation containing hydrated aluminum oxides.
3
Evaluate Statement 3 regarding coking coal in the Deccan Trap
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Deccan Trap consists of Cretaceous volcanic basalt lava flows and is devoid of coal seams. India's prime coking coal reserves are concentrated in the Gondwana sediments of the Damodar Valley (specifically Jharia coalfield in Jharkhand).
Igneous basaltic formations do not host sedimentary fossil fuels like coal.

Key Concept

Geological distribution and rock system associations of coal and metallic mineral reserves in India
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Mineral and Energy Resources of India

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