Limestone:
The Ministry of Mines is set to launch the second tranche of the auction of limestone blocks in Jammu and Kashmir.
- It is a sedimentary rock made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), usually in the form of calcite or aragonite.
- It occurs across almost all geological sequences from Pre-Cambrian to recent, except in Gondwana formations.
Composition of Limestone: - It often contains magnesium carbonate, either as dolomite CaMg (CO3 )2 or magnesite (MgCO3 ) mixed with calcite.
- It also contains minor constituents of clay, iron carbonate, feldspar, pyrite, and quartz.
- Distribution of Limestone in India: Karnataka has the largest share (28%) of total resources, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Meghalaya, and Chhattisgarh.
- Uses of Limestone:
- The principal use of limestone is in the Cement Industry.
- Metallurgical Processes: It is used as a flux in iron and steel production.
- Chemical Production: It is used in production of Calcium carbide, alkali, bleaching powder.
- Agriculture: It is used as soil conditioning agent, fertilizer (calcium ammonium nitrate).
- Consumer Products: Whiting (chalk and precipitated limestone) in rubber, paint, cosmetics, toothpaste, and shoe polish.
