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

From where do we get minerals?

  1. Forests

  2. Deep from within the earth

  3. From general stores

  4. From medical stores
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Minerals can be obtained from deep under the earth's crust.

Multiple choice

Which of the following matches of ‘metal: ores’ is incorrect?

  1. Cu – malachite, chalcopyrite, azurite

  2. Fe – magnetite, hematite, siderite

  3. Mg – dolomite, brucite, magnesite

  4. Zn – calamine, sphalerite, smithsonite

  5. Al – bauxite, cryolite, chalcocite
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Bauxite, Al2O3.2H2O and cryolite, Na3AlF6 are ores of aluminium. Chalcocite (Cu2S) is an ore of copper.

Multiple choice

The ores of titanium is/are

  1. ilmenite
  2. hausmannite
  3. linnaeite

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Only 3

  4. 1 and 2

  5. 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ilmenite (Fe.TiO3) is the oxide ore of titanium. Hausmannite (Mn3O4) is the oxide ore of manganese. Linnaeite (Co3S4) is the sulphide ore of cobalt. Hence, only ilmenite (Fe.TiO3) is the oxide ore of titanium.

Multiple choice

Which of the following sets represents carbonate ores only?

  1. Dolomite, Azurite, Chalcopyrite, Malachite

  2. Cassiterite, Pyrolusite, Azurite, Galena

  3. Pyrolusite, Magnetite, Siderite, Malachite

  4. Dolomite, Azurite, Siderite, Malachite

  5. Magnetite, Chalcopyrite, Malachite, Galena
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Dolomite: CaCO3.MgCO3 (Carbonate ore) Azurite: 2[CuCO3].Cu(OH)2 (Carbonate ore) Siderite: FeCO3 (Carbonate ore) Malachite: CuCO3.Cu(OH)2 (Carbonate ore)

Multiple choice

Which of the following order of minerals is correct with regards to their hardness?

  1. talc < flourite < calcite < gypsum < apatite < feldspar < quartz < topaz < corundum < diamond

  2. talc < gypsum < calcite < flourite < apatite < feldspar < topaz < quartz< corundum < diamond

  3. talc < gypsum < calcite < apatite < flourite < feldspar < quartz < topaz < corundum < diamond

  4. talc < gypsum < calcite < flourite < apatite < feldspar < quartz < topaz < corundum < diamond

  5. talc < gypsum < calcite < flourite < apatite < quartz < feldspar < topaz < corundum < diamond
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
  1. talc, 2. gypsum, 3. calcite, 4. flourite, 5. apatite, 6. feldspar, 7. quartz, 8. topaz, 9. corundum, 10. diamond.
Multiple choice

Arrange the following ores in increasing iron content.

Consider the following Iron ores.
1. Siderite
2. Magnetite
3. Limonite
4. Haematite

  1. 1, 2, 3, 4

  2. 2, 3, 4, 1

  3. 4, 2, 3, 1

  4. 4, 3, 2, 1

  5. 3, 4, 2, 1
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Haematite- 60 to 70 percent also known as red ochre. Magnetite- 60 to 65 percent also known as black ore. Limonite- 35 to 50 percent also known as hydrated ore. Siderite- 10 to 40 percent also known as Iron carbonate.

Multiple choice

Which among the following is a non-metallic mineral?

  1. Vanadium

  2. Corundum

  3. Beryllium

  4. Zirconium
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Corundum is an aluminum oxide mineral (Al2O3) classified as a non-metallic mineral. It's used as an abrasive and in gemstones (ruby, sapphire). Vanadium, Beryllium, and Zirconium are metallic elements extracted from their ores. The question asks specifically for a non-metallic mineral.