Consider the following minerals : 1. Bentonite 2. Chromite 3. Kyanite 4. Sillimanite In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 4 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 2, 3 and 4 only ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Under the MMDR Act, 1957 minerals are 'major' unless notified as 'minor' by the Central Government (Section 3(e)); minor minerals are regulated by States.
• Chromite (2), kyanite (3) and sillimanite (4) are major minerals — chromite for ferrochrome/stainless steel, kyanite and sillimanite as refractories.
• Bentonite (1) was declared a minor mineral in 2015 along with 30 others (e.g. gypsum, quartz, felspar, limestone for lime), so it is not a major mineral.
• Hence 2, 3 and 4 only, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Bentonite is a minor mineral since 2015.
- (b) 4 only
- Chromite and kyanite are also major minerals.
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- Bentonite is minor; chromite and sillimanite are major.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.