Question:

Differentiate between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals.

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The word ferrous points to iron. Build the comparison on what each group contains, one or two examples of each, and how well India is supplied with them.
Updated On: Sep 15, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Concept:
  • Metallic minerals are divided into two groups on the basis of one simple test, whether the mineral contains iron or not.
  • The word ferrous itself comes from the Latin word for iron, which makes the division easy to remember.

Step 1: Define ferrous minerals.
Ferrous minerals are those metallic minerals that contain iron. Iron ore, manganese, nickel and cobalt are the main examples.

Step 2: Define non-ferrous minerals.
Non-ferrous minerals are metallic minerals that do not contain iron. Copper, bauxite, lead, zinc and gold are the main examples.

Step 3: Compare their share in production.
Ferrous minerals account for about three-fourths of the total value of the production of metallic minerals in India. Non-ferrous minerals make up the remaining, much smaller share.

Step 4: Compare the reserves available in India.
India is fairly well placed in ferrous minerals, with large reserves of iron ore and manganese that support the iron and steel industry. In non-ferrous minerals the country has poor reserves and has to depend on imports for several of them.

Final Answer: Ferrous minerals contain iron, such as iron ore and manganese, and make up about three-fourths of the value of metallic mineral production in India. Non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron, such as copper and bauxite, and India has poor reserves of them.
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