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UPSC Prelims 2013 · Indian Geography · Minerals and Energy
Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds.
- Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma.
- Dharwars are famous for petroleum.
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) None
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) 2 only
Only Koderma mica is right.
Statement by statement
1. ✗ WRONG Gondwana beds hold coal, not natural gas.
2. ✓ CORRECT Koderma (Jharkhand) is India’s mica capital.
3. ✗ WRONG Dharwar rocks hold metals (gold, iron, manganese), not petroleum.
The idea
Different rock settings favour different resources: sedimentary basins can hold fuels, while older crystalline belts often hold metallic ores and mica. These are broad associations rather than absolute rules. Conventional gas, shale gas and gas held in coal seams must be distinguished.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Accepts gas in Gondwana beds.
(c) Accepts petroleum in Dharwars.
(d) Rejects Koderma mica.
The trap
Gondwana = coal; Dharwar = metals; oil = Tertiary rocks.
Also know
Coal-bed methane occurs within coal seams, including Gondwana coalfields. Dharwar rocks are associated with gold, iron and manganese belts. Koderma–Hazaribagh and Gudur–Nellore are mica anchors; a gas-bearing coal seam does not make the whole Gondwana system a conventional gas province.
🔒 Oil and gas: Tertiary sedimentary basins (Assam, Gujarat, Mumbai High, KG).
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