UPSC Prelims 2025 Q79: Geography – World Geography
Consider the following pairs:
Country : Resource - rich in
I. Botswana : Diamond
II. Chile : Lithium
III. Indonesia : Nickel
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (c) All three
Explanation
Countries and Their Critical Mineral Resources
| Country | Claimed Resource | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana | Diamond | TRUE | Botswana is the world's #1 or #2 diamond producer by value. The Jwaneng mine is the richest diamond mine on Earth. Botswana's economy is largely diamond-dependent (with De Beers via Debswana). |
| Chile | Lithium | TRUE | Chile holds the world's largest lithium reserves (~38% of global reserves). The Atacama Salt Flat is one of the most productive lithium brine sources globally. Chile + Australia + Argentina = the 'Lithium Triangle' region. |
| Indonesia | Nickel | TRUE | Indonesia has the world's largest nickel reserves and is the world's largest nickel producer. Indonesian nickel is crucial for EV battery cathodes. China heavily invests in Indonesia's nickel smelters. |
All three pairs correctly matched → Answer: All three
Critical Minerals — Country Leaders:
| Mineral | Top Producer/Reserve Holder |
|---|---|
| Lithium | Chile (reserves), Australia (production) |
| Cobalt | DRC (Congo) (~70% of global supply) |
| Nickel | Indonesia (largest reserves + producer) |
| Rare Earth Elements | China (~60% of global production) |
| Diamond | Botswana (value), Russia (volume) |
| Platinum | South Africa (~70% of global reserves) |
Answer: (c) All three.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 'Only one' would mean two of the three pairings are wrong. All three are well-established facts: Botswana = diamonds, Chile = lithium, Indonesia = nickel.
- (b) Incorrect. 'Only two' would mean one pairing is incorrect. All three are globally recognised facts in the critical minerals landscape.
- (c) CORRECT. All three pairs are correctly matched. Botswana = world-class diamonds (Jwaneng mine), Chile = largest lithium reserves (Atacama), Indonesia = world's largest nickel reserves.
- (d) Incorrect. 'None' would mean all three pairings are wrong — clearly incorrect given these are standard geography facts about critical minerals.
Key point
Botswana = Diamonds. Chile = Lithium. Indonesia = Nickel. These are three of the world's most important critical mineral-rich nations for the clean energy transition.
Remember
Botswana = diamonds (world leader). Chile = lithium (largest reserves in Atacama). Indonesia = nickel (largest reserves and producer globally). All three correctly matched.
Common mistakes
- Confusing DRC (cobalt) with Indonesia (nickel) — both are in the critical minerals conversation but for different minerals.
- Thinking Australia has the largest lithium RESERVES — Australia leads in production but Chile leads in RESERVES.
- Not knowing Botswana's diamond dominance — it's one of the few countries where diamond exports drive national development (Debswana partnership).
Exam tip
Critical minerals memory map: Chile = Lithium. Botswana = Diamonds. Indonesia = Nickel. DRC = Cobalt. China = Rare Earths. South Africa = Platinum. Use country initials and mineral initials together.
Sources
- USGS Mineral Resources Program — Minerals Yearbook (Lithium, Nickel, Diamond)
- NCERT Class XII — India and the World (Critical Minerals Chapter)
- Ministry of Mines, India — Critical Minerals List 2023