Previous Year Question
Which among the following States has the main deposit of tin ore?
Assam
Jammu & Kashmir
Chhattisgarh
West Bengal
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The major economic deposits of tin ore in India occur in Chhattisgarh. According to the Indian Bureau of Mines, the workable economic deposits are mainly found in the Bastar and Dantewada districts.
The most important ore of tin is Cassiterite (SnO₂). In its pure form, cassiterite may theoretically contain about 78.6% tin. In the Govindpal–Tongpal area of Chhattisgarh, cassiterite has been recovered from stream sediments.
An important examination distinction is that Resources and Reserves are not the same. According to IBM's 2013 resource assessment, some tin resources were recorded in other States as well, but the entire reported tin ore reserve was located in Chhattisgarh. Therefore, Chhattisgarh is especially important when the question asks about the principal or economic deposit.
In 2014-15, the mines reporting production of tin concentrates in India were also located in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. This further shows the practical importance of the State in tin mining.