General Awareness · Geography

Minerals and Ores

1,185 Questions

Minerals and ores encompass the extraction, identification, and economic significance of naturally occurring crystalline substances. Topics cover specific ores like cinnabar and bauxite, alongside global mineral resource distribution. Candidates preparing for general awareness and geography sections should review these questions to master regional and global mineral reserves.

Ore identificationMineral extractionGlobal mineral reservesIndustrial minerals

Minerals and Ores Questions

Multiple choice

The unwanted impurities like sand, rocky material, limestone, mica etc. present in an ore are called

  1. gauge

  2. gouts

  3. gangue

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Gangue is the term used in metallurgy to describe the worthless material (sand, clay, rock, limestone, mica) that surrounds or is mixed with the mineral ore. During ore processing, gangue is separated from the valuable ore through various beneficiation processes like crushing, grinding, and flotation.

Multiple choice

Jadugoda Mine is famous for

  1. iron ore

  2. mica deposits

  3. gold deposits

  4. uranium deposits
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Jadugoda, located in Jharkhand, is India's first uranium mining facility and has been the primary source of uranium for India's nuclear power program since 1967. The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) operates these mines.

Multiple choice

What is the main application of the minerals pitchblende or uraninite?

  1. They are a source of cheap alkali.

  2. They act as insulators in electrical appliances.

  3. They are used in making jewellery.

  4. They are used as raw materials for cement.

  5. They are used as nuclear fuels in atomic reactors.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Pitchblende also known by the name uraninite is a mineral comprised mainly of oxides of the element uranium. It is the primary source of uranium. The basic fuel for a nuclear power reactor is uranium, a heavy metal able to release abundant concentrated energy. So, it can be used in atomic reactors to generate electricity. The nuclear power plants use the heat given off during fission as fuel. Fission takes place inside the reactor of a nuclear power plant. At the center of the reactor, the core is present, which contains the uranium fuel.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct? P. Carborundum is used as a refractory material. Q. Blast furnace is used for the smelting of lead ore. R. Calamine and zincite are the ore of zinc.

  1. P and Q

  2. Q and R

  3. P and R

  4. All are the correct statements

  5. Only P
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The substances which are capable of withstanding very high temperatures without melting or becoming soft are called refractory materials like- SiC (carborundum), Al2O3, SiO2, etc.  Blast furnace is used or the smelting of iron, copper and lead ores. Calamine (ZnCO3) and zincite (ZnO) are the ore of zinc.