Mineral Based Industries

Major minerals are those specified in the first schedule appended in the MMDR Act. There is no official definition for major minerals in the MMDR Act. **1. Bentonite** is a minor mineral. It is used in drilling mud, foundry sand, and civil engineering applications. **2. Chromite** is a major mineral. It is the only ore of chromium, essential for stainless steel and alloy manufacturing. **3. Kyanite** is a major mineral. It is a refractory mineral used in ceramics and high-temperature industries. **4. Sillimanite** is a major mineral. It is also a refractory mineral with applications in metallurgy and industrial furnaces. Therefore, Chromite, Kyanite and Sillimanite are major minerals, whereas Bentonite is a minor mineral. Therefore, the correct answer is D.