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According to recent mineral production data, which state is the largest producer of mica in India?
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Answer: Option B — Andhra Pradesh
Detailed Solution
In recent years, according to the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Andhra Pradesh has been the largest producer of mica in India, accounting for most of the country's reported production. Its main mica-producing area is the Nellore district (the Gudur-Sydapuram-Kalichedu belt).
The Nellore mica belt:
- It is about 100 km long and lies in the south-eastern part of Andhra Pradesh.
- The mica occurs in pegmatites (coarse-grained igneous rocks).
- Nellore is known for high-quality muscovite mica, sometimes called "ruby mica" for its colour.
Change in leading producers:
- For a long time, the Koderma-Giridih-Hazaribagh belt of Jharkhand (and the adjoining Gaya-Nawada belt of Bihar) was India's most famous mica region, and Koderma was called the "Mica Capital of India".
- After the Forest Conservation Act of 1980, many mines in Jharkhand that lay in forest areas were closed, and official production there fell sharply.
- Much mica collection in Jharkhand and Bihar has since continued informally and illegally, mostly as scrap, and is not fully reflected in official data.
- As a result, Andhra Pradesh, followed by Rajasthan, now leads in reported production.
Mica resources:
In terms of resources, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Maharashtra hold large shares.
Uses of mica:
- It is an excellent electrical insulator and is heat resistant, so it is used in electrical and electronic goods.
- It is also used in paints, cosmetics, plastics and rubber.
India in world mica trade:
India has been one of the world's largest producers and exporters of sheet mica and mica scrap, though competition from synthetic mica and substitutes has reduced demand.
Other mineral wealth of Andhra Pradesh:
Andhra Pradesh also has deposits of barytes (the Mangampeta deposit in Kadapa district is one of the largest in the world), limestone, uranium (Tummalapalle) and beach sand minerals.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Jharkhand was historically famous for mica (Koderma), but its official production has declined greatly.
- ✗Rajasthan is a significant producer, ranking after Andhra Pradesh.
- ✗Bihar has mica in the Gaya-Nawada belt but little official production.
Quick tip
Remember: Largest mica producer today = Andhra Pradesh (Nellore belt); historically famous = Koderma (Jharkhand), the old "Mica Capital".
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Minerals & Energy Resources — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Minerals & Energy Resources, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers India's mineral resources (iron ore, manganese, bauxite, copper, mica and others) and energy resources (coal, petroleum, natural gas, nuclear power and renewable energy), with their main producing regions, mines, oil fields and power plants. Questions often ask where a mineral is found, which state is the leading producer, or where an important power plant or oil field is located. For example, Jharia is known for coal, Digboi in Assam is the oldest oil field in India, and Tarapur in Maharashtra is the site of India's first nuclear power plant. Practise the minerals and energy resources questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.