Question

Why do we need to conserve mineral resources?

Answer 1

Hint: Minerals are an indispensable resource required for the development of a country. Irrational and improper use of minerals may result in socio-economic problems.

Complete Answer: Minerals are a country’s valuable possession which needs to conserve. Mineral resources of a country play an important role in the economic development of a country. Minerals are a non-renewable resource required in all spheres of our life for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes.
Mineral resources should be conserved because the geological process of mineral formation is quite slow due to which the rate of replenishment is infinitely small whereas the rate of consumption is quite high. Mineral resources found on the earth surface are limited in number and are exhaustible.
To conserve mineral resources various methods and techniques should be adopted by the government and its people.
- Mineral resources can only be conserved if used in a planned and sustainable manner. For example recycling of metals can help in reducing the consumption of such minerals.
- By utilizing renewable resources one can conserve mineral resources. For example, coal can be conserved with the utilization of solar power and hydroelectricity energy. Such sources of energy will reduce the consumption of coal.
- New technological methods of mining should be adopted. Training of miners with the new technological methods would ensure minimal wastage of mineral resources. Mineral resources are non-renewable resources

Note: With the increase in population, the consumption of mineral resources is increasing day by day. If not managed, one day these finite resources would become extinct and result in environmental degradation.