Previous Year Question
Consider the following pairs.
Country | Resource-rich in | |
I. | Botswana | Diamond |
II. | Chile | Lithium |
III. | Indonesia | Nickel |
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
Only one
Only two
All the three
None
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
All three countries are known for major reserves and production of the corresponding mineral resources.
Pair | Status | Principal fact |
Botswana—Diamond | Correct | Botswana is one of the world’s leading producers of natural diamonds. |
Chile—Lithium | Correct | The Atacama region of Chile possesses vast lithium-bearing brine deposits. |
Indonesia—Nickel | Correct | Indonesia possesses vast lateritic nickel deposits and is the world’s largest nickel producer. |
I. Botswana—Diamond
Diamonds in Botswana are obtained principally from kimberlite pipes.
Jwaneng and Orapa are its major diamond mines. Jwaneng is counted among the world’s most important diamond mines in terms of value.
Diamond mining and exports are extremely important for Botswana’s export earnings, government revenue and foreign-exchange receipts.
Debswana, a joint venture between the Government of Botswana and De Beers, is the country’s principal diamond-producing enterprise.
Therefore, describing Botswana as diamond-rich is correct.
II. Chile—Lithium
Chile forms part of South America’s Lithium Triangle, together with Argentina and Bolivia.
The principal source of lithium in Chile is not hard rock but brine situated in the arid high-Andean regions.
Its most important deposit is the Salar de Atacama, where brine is pumped and concentrated in evaporation ponds.
According to the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, Chile had approximately 11 million tonnes of lithium resources and about 9.3 million tonnes of reserves. Its 2024 production was approximately 49,000 tonnes of contained lithium.
Lithium is principally used in lithium-ion batteries, portable electronic devices, electric vehicles and energy-storage systems.
Therefore, the Chile—Lithium pair is correct.
III. Indonesia—Nickel
Nickel in Indonesia occurs principally in lateritic nickel ores formed through tropical weathering.
Its important nickel-producing regions are situated in Sulawesi, Halmahera and the Maluku Islands.
According to the 2025 USGS data, Indonesia’s estimated nickel mine production in 2024 was approximately 2.2 million tonnes, compared with global production of approximately 3.7 million tonnes. It was consequently the world’s largest nickel producer.
The same report estimated Indonesia’s nickel reserves at approximately 55 million tonnes.
Most nickel is used in stainless-steel production. It is also used in the cathodes of certain high-nickel lithium-ion batteries.
Therefore, the Indonesia—Nickel pair is also correct.