Concept:
- The two groups are best separated by looking at three things side by side: what they are made of, what they are used for, and how well supplied India is.
- Setting the comparison out point by point keeps the answer clear in a two-mark question.
Step 1: Compare on composition.
A ferrous mineral has iron as part of its composition, while a non-ferrous mineral has none. This single test decides the group of any metallic mineral.
Step 2: Compare on examples.
Iron ore, manganese, nickel and cobalt fall in the ferrous group. Copper, bauxite, lead, zinc and gold fall in the non-ferrous group.
Step 3: Compare on use in industry.
Ferrous minerals are the basic raw material of the iron and steel industry, which is called the backbone of industrial development. Non-ferrous minerals serve metallurgical, engineering and electrical industries, for example copper in electrical wiring and bauxite for aluminium.
Step 4: Compare on availability in India.
India is rich in ferrous minerals, which is why they contribute about three-fourths of the value of metallic mineral output. The country is poorly supplied with non-ferrous minerals and meets part of the demand through imports.
Final Answer: The difference rests on iron. Ferrous minerals contain it, are plentiful in India and feed the iron and steel industry. Non-ferrous minerals do not contain it, are scarce in India and serve the metallurgical and electrical industries.