Question

Resources that have been surveyed but cannot used by humans due to lack of technology are known as ..............

• A. Potential resources
• B. Actual resources
• C. Reserve resources
• D. Stock resources

Hint:

Resource Classification Checklist:
- Present + not fully exploited yet $\rightarrow$ Potential.
- Surveyed + currently being exploited $\rightarrow$ Actual/Developed.
- Available + technology exists + saved for future $\rightarrow$ Reserve.
- Surveyed + NO technology exists to extract $\rightarrow$ Stock.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept:
In resource economics and economic geography, environmental materials are categorized based on their stage of development, survey status, and technological accessibility.
A substance becomes an operational resource only when technical know-how enables human extraction and utilization.

Step 1: Differentiation of Resource Categories:
1. Actual (Developed) Resources: Materials that have been surveyed, quantified in volume and grade, and are actively exploited using current technology (e.g., petroleum extracted from Digboi or Mumbai High).
2. Potential Resources: Materials present in a region that have the potential for future use, but are not yet fully tapped due to capital constraints or infrastructure limitations (e.g., solar and wind energy in Rajasthan and Gujarat).
3. Reserves: The accessible fraction of an identified resource that can be extracted economically and legally using existing technology, but is reserved for future needs (e.g., river water stored behind dams for future generation).
4. Stock Resources: Materials in the environment that possess the intrinsic potential to satisfy human needs, but cannot be utilized due to the lack of appropriate technology.

Step 2: Illustrative Example of Stock:
Water ($\text{H}_2\text{O}$) is an abundant chemical compound composed of hydrogen and oxygen.
Hydrogen has extraordinarily high energy density and can serve as a primary clean fuel; however, humans do not yet possess the cost-effective, large-scale industrial technology to commercially split water molecules via catalytic electrolysis for widespread energy use.
Consequently, such surveyed environmental wealth is classified as Stock.
Final Answer:
Resources surveyed but unusable due to lack of technology are stock resources, corresponding to option (D).