CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Revision Notes Chapter 5 Minerals and Energy Resources 2026–27

Minerals and Energy Resources explains how minerals occur in rocks and how energy sources support agriculture, industry, transport and daily life.

CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 covers mineral classification, mining, coal, petroleum, natural gas, renewable energy and conservation.

Minerals are an indispensable part of human life. From a tiny pin to buildings, railway lines, vehicles, machinery and roads, many things around us are made from minerals. Energy resources are equally important because they help us cook food, generate electricity, run vehicles and operate industries.

Use these CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Revision Notes Chapter 5 for the 2026–27 academic year to revise minerals, ores, mode of occurrence of minerals, ferrous and non-ferrous minerals, mica, limestone, mining hazards, conservation of minerals, conventional energy sources, non-conventional energy sources and energy conservation.

Key Takeaways

• Minerals: Minerals are naturally occurring substances with a definite internal structure.
• Ores: Minerals are usually found in ores, where extraction becomes commercially useful.
• Energy resources: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, electricity, solar, wind, biogas and tidal energy support economic activities.
• Conservation: Minerals and conventional energy sources are limited, so they must be used carefully.

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CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Revision Notes Chapter 5 on Minerals and Energy Resources

Minerals are found in the Earth’s crust, usually embedded in rocks. Metals are extracted from minerals after proper refining.

Minerals are used in almost every stage of development. Human beings have used them for livelihood, decoration, ceremonies, transport, industries and daily needs.

Energy resources are also necessary because machines, vehicles, homes, factories and farms all need energy.

Minerals and energy resources are unevenly distributed. Their location depends on geological structure, formation process, age and concentration.

Important Topics in CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes focus on minerals, their distribution and energy resources.

This chapter is important for both concept-based and map-based revision.

Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes: What Is a Mineral?

Geologists define a mineral as a homogeneous, naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure.

Minerals are found in different forms. Some are very hard, such as diamond. Some are very soft, such as talc.

Rocks are made up of minerals. Some rocks, such as limestone, contain only one mineral. Most rocks contain several minerals in different proportions.

A mineral’s colour, hardness, crystal form, lustre and density depend on the physical and chemical conditions under which it forms.

How Geographers and Geologists Study Minerals

Geographers study minerals as part of the Earth’s crust. They focus on the distribution of mineral resources and related economic activities.

Geologists study the formation, age, physical composition and chemical composition of minerals.

Both approaches help us understand how minerals are formed, where they are found and how they support economic development.

Mode of Occurrence of Minerals in Geography Class 10 Chapter 5 Notes

Minerals are usually found in ores. Ore means an accumulation of a mineral mixed with other elements.

The mineral content should be concentrated enough to make extraction commercially useful.

Minerals occur in different forms depending on rock type, formation process and geological conditions.

Minerals in Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks

In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals occur in cracks, crevices, faults or joints.

Smaller occurrences are called veins. Larger occurrences are called lodes.

Minerals in liquid, molten or gaseous forms move upward through cavities. They cool and solidify as they rise.

Major metallic minerals such as tin, copper, zinc and lead are obtained from veins and lodes.

Minerals in Sedimentary Rocks

In sedimentary rocks, minerals occur in beds or layers. They form due to deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata.

Coal and some forms of iron ore are formed after long periods under heat and pressure.

Gypsum, potash salt and sodium salt are formed through evaporation, especially in arid regions.

Minerals from Decomposition of Surface Rocks

Some minerals are formed when surface rocks decompose and soluble materials are removed.

The remaining weathered material may contain ores. Bauxite is formed in this way.

Placer Deposits

Some minerals occur as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors and at the base of hills. These deposits are called placer deposits.

They usually contain minerals that are not corroded by water.

Gold, silver, tin and platinum are important minerals found in placer deposits.

Minerals from Ocean Water

Ocean water contains many minerals, but most are too widely spread to be economically useful.

Common salt, magnesium and bromine are largely derived from ocean water. Ocean beds are also rich in manganese nodules.

Classification of Minerals in CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

For general and commercial use, minerals are classified into metallic and non-metallic minerals. Metallic minerals are further divided into ferrous and non-ferrous minerals.

This classification helps students understand both composition and economic use.

Ferrous Minerals in Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes

Ferrous minerals contain iron. They account for a major share of metallic mineral production and provide a base for metallurgical industries.

India has good reserves of ferrous minerals and exports some quantities after meeting internal demand.

Iron Ore in Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

Iron ore is the basic mineral and backbone of industrial development. India has fairly abundant resources of good quality iron ore.

Two important types of iron ore are magnetite and hematite.

Magnetite has excellent magnetic qualities and is especially valuable in the electrical industry. Hematite is widely used in industry.

Major Iron Ore Belts in India

The Bailadila range has very high-grade hematite ore. Kudremukh deposits are also known for large reserves.

Manganese in Geography Class 10 Chapter 5 Notes

Manganese is mainly used in manufacturing steel and ferro-manganese alloy.

Nearly 10 kg of manganese is required to manufacture one tonne of steel.

Manganese is also used in making bleaching powder, insecticides and paints.

Non-Ferrous Minerals in Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 5

Non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron. India’s reserves and production of these minerals are limited, but they are important for metallurgical, engineering and electrical industries.

Important non-ferrous minerals include copper, bauxite, lead, zinc and gold.

Copper in Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes

Copper is malleable, ductile and a good conductor of electricity.

It is mainly used in electrical cables, electronics and chemical industries.

Leading copper-producing areas include:

• Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh
• Khetri mines in Rajasthan
• Singhbhum district in Jharkhand

Copper is important because modern electrical and electronic industries depend on it.

Bauxite in CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

Bauxite is a clay-like substance from which alumina and aluminium are obtained.

Bauxite deposits form through decomposition of rocks rich in aluminium silicates.

Aluminium combines strength with lightness. It also has good conductivity and malleability.

Important bauxite regions include the Amarkantak plateau, Maikal hills and Bilaspur-Katni plateau region.

Odisha is the largest bauxite-producing state. Panchpatmali deposits in Koraput district are important bauxite deposits.

Non-Metallic Minerals in Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes

Non-metallic minerals do not contain metal. Mica and limestone are two important examples in this chapter.

Mica in Geography Class 10 Chapter 5 Notes

Mica is made up of a series of plates or leaves. It can split easily into thin sheets.

Mica may be clear, black, green, red, yellow or brown.

It is used in electric and electronic industries because it has:

• Excellent dielectric strength
• Low power loss factor
• Insulating properties
• Resistance to high voltage

Important mica regions include:

Koderma-Gaya-Hazaribagh belt is a leading mica-producing region.

Limestone in Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

Limestone is found with rocks made of calcium carbonates or calcium and magnesium carbonates.

It occurs in sedimentary rocks of most geological formations.

Limestone is the basic raw material for the cement industry. It is also used in smelting iron ore in blast furnaces.

Hazards of Mining in CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

Mining gives us useful minerals, but it can also affect miners and the environment.

Miners may inhale dust and harmful fumes. This makes them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases.

Mine roof collapse, inundation and fires in coal mines are serious threats.

Mining can also contaminate water sources. Dumping waste and slurry causes land degradation, soil damage and river pollution.

Stricter safety regulations and proper implementation of environmental laws are needed to make mining safer.

Conservation of Minerals in Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes

Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable. They take millions of years to form, but human beings consume them very quickly.

The total volume of workable mineral deposits is only a small fraction of the Earth’s crust. Continued extraction makes mining deeper, costlier and lower in quality.

How to Conserve Minerals

Mineral conservation is necessary for future generations and sustainable development.

Energy Resources in CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Revision Notes Chapter 5

Energy is required for all activities. It is needed for cooking, lighting, heating, transport and running machines in industries.

Energy can be generated from coal, petroleum, natural gas, uranium and electricity.

Energy resources are classified into conventional and non-conventional sources.

Firewood and cattle dung cake are common in rural India. However, their continued use is becoming difficult because forest areas are decreasing and dung can be better used as manure.

Conventional Sources of Energy in Geography Class 10 Chapter 5 Notes

Conventional sources of energy have been used for a long time. They include coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity.

Many conventional sources are non-renewable and cause environmental problems when used excessively.

Coal in Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes

Coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India. It provides a major part of the country’s energy needs.

Coal is used for power generation, industry and domestic needs. India depends heavily on coal for commercial energy.

Coal forms when plant material is compressed over millions of years.

Types of Coal

Lignite reserves are found in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu and are used for electricity generation.

Distribution of Coal in India

Gondwana coal is found mainly in the Damodar Valley region of West Bengal and Jharkhand. Jharia, Raniganj and Bokaro are important coalfields.

Coal is also found in the Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha valleys.

Tertiary coal occurs in north-eastern states such as Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

Heavy industries and thermal power stations are often located near coalfields because coal is bulky and loses weight after use.

Petroleum in CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

Petroleum, or mineral oil, is the next major energy source in India after coal.

It provides fuel for heat and lighting, lubricants for machinery and raw materials for industries.

Petroleum refineries act as nodal industries because they support synthetic textile, fertiliser and chemical industries.

Most petroleum in India occurs in anticlines and fault traps in tertiary rock formations.

Major Petroleum Producing Areas in India

Assam is the oldest oil-producing state in India.

Natural Gas in Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes

Natural gas is found with petroleum deposits and is released when crude oil is brought to the surface.

It is used as:

• Fuel for electricity generation
• Heating fuel in industries
• Raw material in chemical, petrochemical and fertiliser industries
• Transport fuel as CNG
• Cooking fuel as PNG

Major gas reserves are found in Mumbai High and allied fields along the west coast. The Cambay basin also has gas reserves. New reserves have been discovered in the Krishna-Godavari basin along the east coast.

The Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur pipeline linked Mumbai High and Bassein gas fields with fertiliser, power and industrial complexes in western and northern India.

Electricity in CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

Electricity has many uses in modern life. Per capita electricity consumption is considered an index of development.

Electricity is generated mainly in two ways:

• Hydro electricity
• Thermal electricity

Hydro Electricity

Hydro electricity is generated by fast-flowing water that drives turbines.

It is a renewable resource.

Important projects include Bhakra Nangal, Damodar Valley Corporation and Kopili Hydel Project.

Thermal Electricity

Thermal electricity is generated by burning coal, petroleum and natural gas.

Thermal power stations use non-renewable fossil fuels.

Difference Between Hydro Electricity and Thermal Electricity

Both produce the same electricity after generation, but the sources and environmental effects differ.

Non-Conventional Sources of Energy in Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

The growing use of fossil fuels has created concerns about future supply, rising prices and environmental damage.

Non-conventional sources of energy are renewable and more suitable for sustainable development.

Important non-conventional sources are solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, biogas and atomic energy.

India has good potential for these sources because it has sunlight, water, wind and biomass.

Nuclear or Atomic Energy in Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes

Nuclear energy is obtained by altering the structure of atoms. This releases heat, which is used to generate electricity.

Uranium and thorium are used for atomic power generation.

Uranium and thorium are available in Jharkhand and the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan. Monazite sands of Kerala are rich in thorium.

Solar Energy in CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

India is a tropical country, so it has great potential for solar energy.

Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity.

Solar energy is becoming popular in rural and remote areas. It can reduce dependence on firewood and dung cakes. This helps conserve forests and leaves more dung available as manure for agriculture.

Solar energy has a bright future in India because sunlight is widely available and solar power can reach remote areas.

Wind Energy in Geography Class 10 Chapter 5 Notes

India has great potential for wind energy.

The largest wind farm cluster is located in Tamil Nadu from Nagarcoil to Madurai.

Other important wind farm regions include Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep.

Nagarcoil and Jaisalmer are well known for effective use of wind energy.

Biogas in Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes

Biogas is produced from shrubs, farm waste, animal waste and human waste.

Decomposition of organic matter produces gas. Biogas has higher thermal efficiency than kerosene, dung cake and charcoal.

Biogas plants are set up at municipal, cooperative and individual levels.

Plants using cattle dung are called Gobar gas plants in rural India.

Biogas provides two benefits:

• Energy for domestic use
• Improved quality of manure

It also reduces dependence on fuelwood and prevents wastage of cattle dung as fuel.

Tidal Energy in Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

Tidal energy is generated from ocean tides.

Floodgate dams are built across inlets. During high tide, water flows into the inlet and gets trapped when the gate is closed.

When the tide falls outside, the trapped water flows back to the sea through a pipe that drives a turbine.

In India, the Gulf of Khambhat, Gulf of Kuchchh and Gangetic delta in the Sundarbans provide suitable conditions for tidal energy.

Geothermal Energy in CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Notes

Geothermal energy is heat and electricity produced from the Earth’s internal heat.

The Earth becomes hotter with depth. In some areas, high temperatures are found at shallow depths. Groundwater absorbs this heat and becomes hot.

When hot water rises to the surface, it turns into steam. This steam is used to drive turbines and generate electricity.

India has several hot springs. Two experimental geothermal projects are located in:

• Parvati Valley near Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh
• Puga Valley in Ladakh

Conservation of Energy Resources in Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes

Energy is necessary for agriculture, industry, transport, commercial work and domestic life. Since Independence, India’s energy consumption has increased steadily.

There is an urgent need for sustainable energy development.

Energy conservation and increased use of renewable energy sources are both important.

How to Conserve Energy Resources

• Use public transport instead of individual vehicles.
• Switch off electricity when not in use.
• Use power-saving devices.
• Use non-conventional sources of energy.
• Reduce wasteful use of fossil fuels.
• Promote solar, wind, biogas and other renewable sources.

Energy saved is energy produced.

Important Terms in CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Revision Notes Chapter 5

Important Points of Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes

• Minerals are found in the Earth’s crust and embedded in rocks.
• Minerals are usually found in ores.
• Mineral extraction is useful only when the concentration is commercially viable.
• Minerals occur in veins, lodes, beds, layers, placer deposits and ocean water.
• Peninsular rocks contain most reserves of coal, metallic minerals and mica.
• Ferrous minerals contain iron and support metallurgical industries.
• Iron ore is the backbone of industrial development.
• Magnetite is the finest iron ore.
• Manganese is used in steel and ferro-manganese alloy.
• Copper is used in electrical cables, electronics and chemical industries.
• Bauxite is used to obtain aluminium.
• Mica is used in electric and electronic industries.
• Limestone is used in cement and iron smelting.
• Mining can cause health hazards, water pollution and land degradation.
• Minerals are finite and non-renewable, so they need conservation.
• Coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India.
• Petroleum refineries act as nodal industries.
• Hydro electricity is renewable, while thermal electricity uses fossil fuels.
• Solar, wind, tidal, geothermal and biogas are non-conventional energy sources.
• Energy conservation and renewable energy are necessary for sustainable development.

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