UPSC Prelims 2018 Q27: Geography – Economic & Mineral Geography
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (d) 3 only
Explanation
Mining and Mineral Distribution in India
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Governments do NOT have power to auction non-coal mines | FALSE | Under the MMDR Act (amended 2015), State Governments auction non-coal mineral concessions (major minerals like iron ore, bauxite, limestone) through transparent competitive bidding. The Centre auctions coal blocks (under CMSP Act 2015) and prescribes rules; states auction non-coal. |
| 2 | Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do NOT have gold mines | FALSE | Andhra Pradesh has Ramagiri gold mines (Anantapur district) and Jharkhand has Hesalong (Hutti belt) and other gold occurrences. India's main gold mine is Hutti (Karnataka) but AP and Jharkhand also have gold mineralisation. |
| 3 | Rajasthan has iron ore mines | TRUE | Rajasthan has iron ore deposits in Jaipur, Udaipur, Sikar, Alwar districts (Morija-Banora, Neemla-Ramla, Dabla-Singhana etc.). Though not among top producers, iron ore mining exists in Rajasthan. |
Answer: (d) 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 2 are both wrong - states do auction non-coal mines, and AP/Jharkhand do have gold mineralisation.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is factually wrong.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong - state governments auction non-coal mineral concessions under MMDR 2015.
- (d) CORRECT. Only Statement 3 is right - Rajasthan has iron ore mines.
Key point
MMDR (Amendment) Act 2015: Auction-based grant of mineral concessions. Centre = coal + atomic minerals + offshore. States = non-coal major and minor minerals. Rajasthan has iron ore in Jaipur/Udaipur/Sikar.
Remember
Under the amended MMDR Act (2015), State Governments auction non-coal mineral concessions through competitive bidding, while the Centre handles coal (via CMSP Act 2015) and atomic minerals. Andhra Pradesh (Ramagiri) and Jharkhand both have gold mineralisation, so the claim that they lack gold mines is false. Rajasthan does have iron ore mines in Jaipur, Udaipur and Sikar districts.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all mining is centrally auctioned - non-coal major mineral auctions are conducted by respective State Governments.
- Believing only Karnataka has gold mines - AP (Ramagiri), Jharkhand and Kerala also have gold occurrences.
- Overlooking Rajasthan's iron ore - it is not a top producer but has commercially exploited deposits.
Exam tip
Mining jurisdiction: Coal + atomic minerals = Centre. All other major/minor minerals = States (post-MMDR 2015 auction regime). Royalty rates set by Centre; revenues to states.
Sources
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015
- Ministry of Mines - Annual Report on Indian Minerals