Major Minerals and Producing Countries of the World:
What is a mineral called?
Definition of Mineral: Those physical substances which are dug out from inside the earth (land) are called minerals. Minerals are naturally occurring substances. Some of the useful minerals found in the world include iron, mica, coal, bauxite, salt, zinc, and limestone. There are two types of minerals found in India:- (i) Metallic minerals (ii) Non-metallic minerals.
- Metallic minerals: The minerals from which metals are obtained are called metallic minerals, such as iron, gold and silver.
- Non-metallic minerals: The minerals from which metals are not obtained are called non-metallic minerals, such as potash, graphite and sulfur.
Note: The mineral obtained from the mineral is not obtained pure, first of all they are washed, soil particles and other soluble and insoluble compounds are mixed in the water obtained by washing, this water finally gets mixed in the water, thus the natural water stream is contaminated. A vivid example of this is acid discharge from coal mines. In coal mines, some amount of pyrite (FeS2) is mixed with coal. Sulfuric acid and ferrite are released along with the discharge.
Classification of Minerals: Classification of minerals is very difficult, yet they are classified on the basis of some characteristics-
- Silicate class.
- Carbonate class.
- Sulfate class.
- Halide class.
- Oxide class.
- Sulfide class.
- Phosphate class.
- Element class.
- Organic class.
Names of world's major minerals and their most producing countries: Here is a list of major minerals and their most producing countries. Generally, questions related to the names of the world's major minerals and their most productive countries are asked in competitive examinations.
If you are preparing for various competitive exams like: IAS, Teacher, UPSC, PCS, SSC, Bank, MBA and other government jobs, then you must know about the major mineral and producing country. Let us know which mineral is found the most in which country:-
List of world's major mineral and most producing countries:
| Name of Mineral | Most Producing Countries |
| Iron | China, Australia, Brazil, India, Russia (as of November 2017) |
| Copper | Chile, Peru, China (as of 09 Aug 2018) |
| Bauxite | Australia, China, Guinea (as of August 2017) |
| Vang or Ranga or Tin | China, Indonesia, Peru (as of 2014) |
| Manganese | South Africa, China, Australia (as of 2011) |
| Zinc | China, Australia, Peru (as of 2014) |
| Gold | China, Australia, Russia (as of 2017) |
| Silver | Peru, Bolivia, Mexico (as of August 2017) |
| Diamond | Russia, Botswana, Congo (as of 2013) |
| Mercury | China, Mexico, Kyrgyzstan (as of 2016) |
| Lead | China, Australia, United States (as of 2016) |
| Asbestos | Russia, China, Brazil (as of 2015) |
| Thorium | India, Brazil, Australia (as of 2014) |
| Uranium | Canada, Australia, Niger (as of 2018) |
| Tungsten | China, Vietnam, Russia (as of 2017) |
| Chromium | South Africa, Kazakhstan, Turkey (as of 2017) |
List of countries with highest mineral reserves in the world:
| Name of mineral | Countries With Highest Mineral Conservation |
| Cadmium | India, China, Australia |
| Cobalt | Congo, Australia, Cuba |
| Coal | United States, Russia, China |
| Chromite | Kazakhstan, South Africa, India |
| Graphite | China, India, Mexico |
| Silver | Peru, Poland, Chile |
| Zinc | Australia, China, Peru |
| Tungsten | China, Russia, United States |
| Copper | Chile, Peru, Australia |
| Nickel | Australia, New Caledonia, Brazil |
| Petroleum | Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iran |
| Natural Gas | Russia, Iran, Qatar |
| Platinum | South Africa, Russia, United States |
| Bauxite | Guinea, Australia, Brazil |
| Manganese | South Africa, Ukraine, Brazil |
| Magnesite | Russia, China, North Korea |
| Uranium | Australia, Kazakhstan, Canada |
| Iron Ore | Australia, Brazil, Russia |
| Gold | Australia, South Africa, Russia |
| Diamond | Congo, Botswana, Australia |
| Feldspar | Italy, Turkey, China |
| Bentonite | United States of America, Turkey, India |
| Nickel | Indonesia, Philippines. Canada |
| Antimony | China, Russia, Bolivia, Tajikistan |
| Salt | China, United States of America, India |
| Sulfur | Canada, United States, Russia |
| Potash | Canada, Russia, Belarus |
| Gypsum | China, United States, Iran |
| Aluminum | China, Russia, Canada |
| Cement | China, India, United States |
| Chromium | South Africa, Kazakhstan, Turkey |
| Platinum | South Africa, Russia, Zimbabwe |
| Asbestos | Russia, China, Brazil |
| Mercury | China, Mexico, Kyrgyzstan |