Previous Year Question

Under India’s mineral-law framework, minor minerals are declared by the Central Government through notification. Minerals that do not fall within the notified minor-mineral category or the special category of atomic minerals are generally treated as major minerals.

1. Bentonite—minor mineral: According to the Indian Bureau of Mines, bentonite was among the minerals already notified as minor minerals. Therefore, it is not treated as a major mineral.

2. Chromite—major mineral: It is the principal ore of chromium and is a metallic mineral. The Indian Bureau of Mines includes it under metallic-mineral production, separately from minor minerals.

3. Kyanite—major mineral: It is an aluminium-silicate, non-metallic and refractory mineral. It is not included in the notified list of minor minerals.

4. Sillimanite—major mineral: It is also an aluminium-silicate, non-metallic and refractory mineral and has not been notified as a minor mineral.

An important fact is that 31 additional minerals were declared minor minerals through the notification dated 10 February 2015, whereas bentonite was among the minerals that had already been declared minor minerals before that notification.

Therefore, chromite, kyanite and sillimanite, i.e. 2, 3 and 4, are major minerals.