Question

Why is it necessary to conserve mineral resources? Explain any four ways to conserve mineral sources.

Answer 1

Mineral resources are necessary to be conserved because

1) Minerals are indispensable part of our lives. Almost everything we use is made up of minerals. The role of minerals is very important in the Transport sector as minerals are used for production as well as for running various locomotives.

2) They require a lot of time to be formed and at the current rate of consumption, they will soon be exhausted. Therefore, they are finite and non renewable.

3) If overused, they would soon be exhausted and then will not be available for the future generations.

4) Exploration of minerals has often led to the displacement of the marginal communities like the local tribes with very few instances of adequate compensation.

The ways to conserve Mineral sources are :

1) Improved technologies need to be constantly evolved to allow use of low grade ores at low costs.

2) Strict regulations by regulatory bodies to ensure that resources are mined responsibly.

3) Recycling of the minerals.

4) Using alternatives sources through research such as using scrap metals and other substitutes.