Q150. Which mineral is regarded as a key metal for industrial development?
[SSC GD Constable, 29 May 2026, Shift 3]
(A) Copper
(B) Iron
(C) Aluminium
(D) Manganese
Answer: (B) Iron
Explanation: Iron underpins construction, engineering and machinery because it is the principal input for steel. India’s iron-ore belts occur especially in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. This combination of geological availability and industrial demand explains its central economic importance.
Q149. Magnetite, considered the finest variety of iron ore, contains iron up to approximately what percentage?
[SSC GD Constable, 7 May 2026, Shift 3]
(A) 25%
(B) 45%
(C) 55%
(D) 70%
Answer: (D) 70%
Explanation: Magnetite is an iron oxide with the chemical formula Fe3O4 and a theoretical iron content around 72%. School geography references commonly round its exceptionally high iron content to about 70%. It is important for high-grade iron-ore beneficiation and steelmaking.
Q148. In which Indian state are the Hutti Gold Mines situated?
[SSC GD Constable, 22 May 2026, Shift 2]
(A) Karnataka
(B) Bihar
(C) Jharkhand
(D) Odisha
Answer: (A) Karnataka
Explanation: The Hutti gold deposit is situated in Raichur district of Karnataka. It is among India’s notable operating primary gold-mining centres. Karnataka’s Dharwar greenstone belts contain ancient mineral-bearing rocks associated with gold deposits, including the historically famous Kolar goldfields.
Q147. Kudremukh is primarily associated with the mining of which mineral?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate, 16 June 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Limestone
(B) Manganese
(C) Copper
(D) Iron ore
Answer: (D) Iron ore
Explanation: Kudremukh lies in the Western Ghats of Karnataka and is associated with significant magnetite iron-ore deposits. Its name means horse-faced mountain. The deposit formed an important part of India’s iron-ore geography, although environmental concerns affected mining operations.
Q146. Which mineral and producing-region pair is correctly matched?
[UPHESC Assistant Professor Geography, 19 April 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Iron ore — Thar Desert
(B) Petroleum — Chota Nagpur Plateau
(C) Manganese — Indo-Gangetic Plain
(D) Bauxite — Koraput Plateau
Answer: (D) Bauxite — Koraput Plateau
Explanation: The Koraput highlands of Odisha contain extensive bauxite deposits, notably around Panchpatmali. In contrast, the Thar is not a major iron-ore belt, the Chota Nagpur Plateau is mainly recognised for solid minerals, and alluvial plains are not principal manganese belts.
Q145. Which subsidiary of Coal India manages the Talcher coalfield?
[SECL Assistant Foreman, 2 July 2026, Shift 3]
(A) Eastern Coalfields Limited
(B) Western Coalfields Limited
(C) Mahanadi Coalfields Limited
(D) Bharat Coking Coal Limited
Answer: (C) Mahanadi Coalfields Limited
Explanation: Mahanadi Coalfields Limited operates major coal-mining areas in Odisha, including Talcher and Ib Valley. These belong to the broader Gondwana coal-bearing region of eastern India. Coal extracted here supplies thermal power stations and a range of industrial users.
Q144. Which geological rock system accounts for most of India’s coal reserves?
[OSSC CGL Recruitment Examination Mains, 8 July 2026]
(A) Tertiary
(B) Jurassic
(C) Gondwana
(D) Carboniferous
Answer: (C) Gondwana
Explanation: Most Indian coal occurs in Gondwana sedimentary formations deposited during the late Palaeozoic and early Mesozoic eras. Major coalfields lie in the Damodar, Son, Mahanadi and Godavari basins. Tertiary coal occurs mainly in parts of northeastern India.
Q143. Which two iron ores are commercially exploited most extensively in India?
[MP Police Sub-Inspector, 16 January 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Haematite and limonite
(B) Magnetite and limonite
(C) Haematite and magnetite
(D) Haematite and siderite
Answer: (C) Haematite and magnetite
Explanation: Haematite and magnetite are India’s two principal commercially significant iron ores. Haematite is widely worked in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, while magnetite is prominent in parts of southern India. Both supply iron, but their composition and processing requirements differ.
Q142. What is the proposed renamed national mineral-exploration trust under the 2025 mining-law amendment?
[MP Police Sub-Inspector, 21 January 2026, Shift 2]
(A) Mineral Development Trust
(B) National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust
(C) Mineral Exploration Authority
(D) Mineral Resources Fund
Answer: (B) National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust
Explanation: The 2025 amendment expanded the trust’s developmental role and provided for the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust name. The distinction matters because mineral exploration identifies resources, whereas development and extraction require further investment, clearances and infrastructure.
Q141. Which 2025 legislation provided a framework for regulating mineral exchanges in India?
[MP Police Sub-Inspector, 17 January 2026, Shift 2]
(A) National Sports Governance Act
(B) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act
(C) Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act
(D) Waqf Amendment Act
Answer: (B) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act
Explanation: The 2025 amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) framework addressed reforms including mineral-market mechanisms. Mineral exchanges aim to facilitate more transparent trading and price discovery. This is distinct from the laws governing sports, online gaming or religious endowments.