Mineral and Power Resources Notes Class 8 CBSE

Introduction

Our earth is full of amazing natural treasures hidden under the ground. These treasures are called minerals. We also use various types of power resources to make our daily life easier — from switching on a light to driving a car or running a factory.
Let’s learn about minerals, how they are found, and how power resources help us in our everyday life.

Important Terms Made Simple

Rock:
A rock is a natural solid made up of one or more minerals. It can be hard like granite or soft like chalk.

Mineral:
Minerals are natural substances found in the earth’s crust. They have a fixed chemical composition. For example, iron, copper, gold, and salt are all minerals.

Ore:
An ore is a type of rock that contains minerals in large amounts. We can take out useful minerals from ores through mining.

Mining:
Mining means digging out minerals from the earth. It can be done on the surface or deep inside the ground.

Extraction:
It is the process of taking minerals out from rocks for use.

Ferrous Minerals:
Minerals that contain iron are called ferrous minerals. Example – Iron, Manganese.

Non-Ferrous Minerals:
Minerals that do not contain iron are called non-ferrous minerals. Example – Copper, Aluminium.

Fossil Fuels:
Fuels formed from the remains of plants and animals buried millions of years ago. Example – Coal, Petroleum, and Natural Gas.

Thermal Power:
Electricity produced by burning coal is called thermal power.

Solar Cell:
A device that converts sunlight into electricity.

Conventional Power Resources:
Energy sources that have been used for a very long time like coal, firewood, and petroleum.

Non-Conventional Power Resources:
New and clean energy sources like solar, wind, and tidal energy.

How Minerals are Taken Out

There are three main ways to take out minerals from the earth:

1. Mining:

   • Open Cast Mining: Minerals near the surface are taken out by removing the upper layers of soil.

   • Shaft Mining: Deep holes are dug to reach minerals found far below the earth’s surface.

2. Drilling:
   Used mainly to extract oil and natural gas. Deep wells are made to pull out these resources.

3. Quarrying:
   A simple method used to dig out minerals found close to the surface such as limestone.

Types of Minerals

1. Metallic Minerals

These minerals have metals in them. They are shiny, strong, and good conductors of heat and electricity.
Examples: Iron, Copper, Gold, Silver, Aluminium.

Metallic minerals are of two types:

• Ferrous: Contain iron (like Manganese, Iron ore)

• Non-Ferrous: Do not contain iron (like Copper, Lead, Aluminium)

2. Non-Metallic Minerals

These minerals do not contain metals. They are dull and poor conductors of electricity.
Examples: Limestone, Mica, Clay, Salt.

Mineral Distribution in Asia and Europe

In Asia:
Asia is rich in minerals. India and China have large deposits of iron and tin.

In Europe:
Europe is famous for iron ore production. Countries like Ukraine, Sweden, and France are important producers. Other minerals like copper and lead are also found here.

Difference between Metallic and Non-Metallic Minerals

Uses and Conservation of Minerals

Uses of Minerals:

• Gold and Silver are used in jewellery.

• Copper is used to make pipes and wires.

• Aluminium is used in aircraft and kitchen utensils.

• Silicon is used in computers and electronic devices.

• Iron is used to build machinery, tools, and buildings.

Why We Should Conserve Minerals:

• Minerals are non-renewable — once used, they take millions of years to form again.

• They are used faster than they are made.

• Future generations also need these resources.

Ways to Conserve:

1. Recycle metals (e.g., aluminium cans).

2. Reduce wastage during mining.

3. Reuse old metal products.

Power Resources

Power resources are the sources that give us energy.
They are divided into two main types:

A. Conventional Energy Sources

Used for many years — examples include coal, petroleum, natural gas, and hydel power.

B. Non-Conventional Energy Sources

These are new and renewable sources of energy — examples include solar, wind, tidal, biogas, nuclear, and geothermal energy.

Solar Energy

The sun gives us an endless supply of energy.
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity.

Advantages:

• Clean and renewable.

• Free and available everywhere.

• Reduces use of coal and firewood.

Disadvantages:

• Expensive setup.

• Depends on sunlight (cannot be used at night or cloudy days).

Wind Energy

Moving air turns windmills which produce electricity.
It is clean and renewable but needs open windy areas.

Hydel Power (Water Energy)

• Dams store river water.

• The water falls on turbine blades, spinning them to generate electricity.

• Clean and renewable source of energy.

• Examples in India: Bhakra Nangal Dam, Tehri Dam.

Tidal Energy

• Energy produced from ocean tides.

• Dams are built at narrow sea openings.

• Water movement turns turbines to generate power.

• In India, Gulf of Kutch is suitable for tidal power.

Nuclear Energy

• Produced from radioactive elements like Uranium and Thorium.

• These elements release huge energy through nuclear fission.

• India has nuclear plants at Kalpakkam, Tarapur, Narora, and Rana Pratap Sagar.

Biogas Energy

• Made from animal dung, farm waste, and kitchen waste.

• Helps rural families cook food and light lamps.

• Produces high-quality manure and saves trees.

• Commonly called Gobar Gas in villages.

Coal – The Buried Sunshine

Coal is called “Buried Sunshine” because it was formed from ancient plants buried under the earth millions of years ago.

Advantages:

• Found in large quantities.

• Provides heat and energy for industries.

Disadvantages:

• Causes air pollution.

• High cost of transport.

• Contributes to global warming.

Firewood vs. Coal

Uses of Aluminium

• Used for making utensils, cans, and foils.

• Used in electrical wires.

• Light and strong, used in airplanes and spacecraft.

• Can be recycled many times.

Mineral Distribution in India

Summary for Kids

• Minerals are the natural building blocks of our planet.

• Power resources help us run machines, homes, and vehicles.

• We should use renewable energy more to protect our environment.

• Saving and reusing minerals today means a better tomorrow for everyone.