Question

The main use of mica is in?

1. The electrical industry
2. The steel industry
3. Petroleum refining
4. The glass and pottery industry

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : The electrical industry

The correct answer is The electrical industry.

• The main use of mica is in the electrical industry.
• Mica is one of the most indispensable minerals.
• It is used in electric and electronic industries, due to its Di-electric strength, low power factor, insulating properties, and resistance to high voltage.
• It is used as an insulator in countless everyday electronic and electrical products -
  • including radio and TV sets, fans, microwaves, toasters, kettles, and rice cookers as well as in heating systems.
• Mica has perfect basal cleavage, unique hexagonal-shaped crystals, and an unmistakable "snap" of cleavage flakes when they are bent together and then released.

• Around 98% of iron ore is used in steel-making.
• During the iron-making process, a blast furnace is fed with iron ore, coke, and small quantities of fluxes (minerals, such as limestone, which are used to collect impurities). 
• National Gas Grid
  • To promote the usage of natural gas as a fuel/feedstock across the country and move towards a gas-based economy, a National Gas Grid was proposed.
  • It aims to connect gas sources to major demand centres and ensure the availability of gas to consumers in various sectors and remove regional imbalance within the country concerning access to clean fuel.
  • New pipeline projects being implemented by Government areas under-
    • Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project (Jagdishpur – Haldia, and Bokaro – Dhamra Pipeline Project):
      • It will cater to the energy requirements of five states, namely Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.
    • Barauni to Guwahati Pipeline:
      • It is being implemented as an integral part of the JHBDPL project to connect the North East Region (NER) with the National Gas Grid.
    • North East Gas Grid:
      • A joint venture of five oil and gas enterprises (GAIL, IOCL, OIL, ONGC, and NRL) named “Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd” (IGGL) has been entrusted for the development of Natural Gas Pipeline Grid in North-East, i.e. North East Gas Grid (NEGG).
    • Kochi-Koottanad- Bangalore-Mangalore Pipeline Project (KKBMPL):
      • The efforts are underway for the development of pipeline projects and providing accessibility of natural gas sources (domestic and imported both) to southern cities.

• Mica Reserves in India
  • Andhra Pradesh (41 per cent)
  • Rajasthan (21 per cent)
  • Odisha (20 per cent)
  • Maharashtra (15 per cent)
  • Bihar (2 per cent)
  • Jharkhand (Less than 1 per cent)