The main mineral resources of the world

Mineral resources are commonly referred to as the variety of minerals used by mankind for their own needs. Hydrocarbons, chemical raw materials, metals, precious stones, building materials are what people extract from the bowels of the planet. The reserves of mineral resources in the world are estimated at trillions of tons, but they are not unlimited. Their rational use is the guarantee of the further prosperity of our civilization.

Classification

Mineral raw materials are divided into five classes:

• Metals from iron and ferroalloys.
• Non-ferrous metals.
• Precious metals.
• Industrial minerals.
• Mineral fuel.

Also, the world's mineral resources are divided into conditionally renewable and non-renewable. The first group includes elements of biological origin: oil, coal, methane, etc. For their formation, specific environmental conditions and millions of years are required. When mining metals and minerals (they belong to the second group), their volume decreases irreversibly.

Geography of mineral resources of the world

Mineral raw materials by regions are extremely unevenly distributed and are caused by the geological structure of the area. Hydrocarbons tend to sedimentary mantles of ancient continents. The largest volume is occupied by coal (60%), however, its use today is limited by technological and ecological factors. Huge stocks of this raw material are reconnoitered on all continents, but most of the coal-bearing basins are not being developed. Large operating deposits are in the US, Russia, China, Australia, India, Germany, Ukraine, Kazakhstan.

Oil and gas mineral resources of the world make up only 27% of the total volume, but with their help 57% of all energy is produced. Powerful oil and gas fields formed on the territory of Venezuela, Russia (the Volga region, Western Siberia), the USA (Texas and the Mississippi Basin), Nigeria, Canada, the Persian Gulf, North Africa, the Caspian Sea basin.

Metal ores are concentrated in ancient foci of volcanic activity and in areas of active mountain building. However, the presence of mountains does not mean the presence of rich deposits. For example, a third of Europe is occupied by mountains, however, there are not many significant deposits of metal ores, most have already been developed and are of no economic importance. On the contrary, the Kursk magnetic anomaly is located in the heart of the East European Plain, however, the iron reserves are considerable here. Ore layers are many kilometers deep.

Iron

Mineral resources of the world are diverse, but among them the most important is iron. This is the sixth most numerous element in the universe and the most common refractory element. It is estimated that the Earth has iron at a rate of 5% of its weight. Iron ore is the basis for the production of iron and steel, various items used in automobiles, agricultural machinery, telecommunications equipment, armament, bridges, dams, tunnels, etc.

Although iron is considered to be one of the most common elements on the earth, the fields economically profitable for development are unevenly distributed. The USA, Brazil, India, China, and Canada have the richest reserves. Some large deposits are in Kazakhstan, Sweden, Ukraine, France, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Australia, Liberia, South Africa, Malaysia, North Africa. Russia has enough reserves of this valuable ore for its own economy and for export. Large deposits are concentrated in Magnitogorsk and other regions of the Urals, the Kola Peninsula and neighboring Karelia, in the KMA, in Siberia.

Non-ferrous metals

The mineral resources of the countries of the world have been studied quite well. Satellite imagery and modern drilling methods have made it possible to identify the main areas of concentration of non-ferrous metal ores.

An important element is copper. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and pliable, the freshly applied surface has a reddish-orange color. It is used as a conductor of heat and electricity, a building material and an integral part of various metal alloys. Copper is used for 10,000 years and is the first metal discovered by mankind.

It does not suffer from severe corrosion, is ductile and freely mixes with other metals. It is a good conductor of electricity and heat. The main consumers of copper are the electrical, defense, energy, and automobile industries. 90% of this metal is concentrated in five regions of the world:

• South Africa.
• Chile.
• Western part of the USA.
• Kazakhstan.
• Canada (Sudbury region).

Noble (precious) metals

The mineral resources of the world have different values. The most expensive metals (not including rare earths) are the so-called noble metals: platinum, gold, silver. Gold is a dense, soft and malleable metal with bright yellow color and shine. It is one of the least reactive chemical elements, solid under standard conditions. Therefore, metal is often found in free elementary (natural) form, in the form of nuggets or granites in rocks, veins and alluvial deposits. Less common in minerals. Previously, the bulk of the nuggets were made, which prospectors were looking for. Now, most of the gold is mined in special factories, on which a breed with a high content of valuable raw materials is processed.

China, Australia, the United States, South Africa are the largest producers of gold on the planet. And the Witwatersrand Mine is the world's leading gold mining center. Also to large production areas are: Rand Fields, Kimberly, Livingstone, Cape of Good Hope, Natal and others. Canada is also a significant gold producer. In Russia, the territories of the Ural Mountains, the Baikal region and Transbaikalia, and the Lena basin are distinguished. The reserves of the Kolyma region are considerably depleted. A lot of gold is mined in the USA (Alaska, California, the region of the Rocky Mountains), Australia (Kalgoorlie, Yampi, Mount Morgan), India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh).

Mineral resources of the world: table

To the valuable mineral resources are about 200 names of metals, hydrocarbons, minerals, technical and building materials. Let's consider the main types of raw materials and the leading countries for their production:

The extraction of resources should be carried out "with an eye on the future". Many countries, having developed their deposits, faced the so-called resource famine. To maintain the economy, they are forced to export raw materials. Rational use of natural resources is a guarantee of long-term prosperity.