natural resources MATERIALS or substances occurring in nature which can be exploited for economic gain."the sustainable use of natural resources"India's major mineral resources include COAL (4th largest reserves in the world), Iron ore, Manganese ore (7th largest reserve in the world as in 2013), Mica, Bauxite (5TH largest reserve in the world as in 2013), Chromite, Natural gas, Diamonds, Limestone and Thorium.Renewable resources include solar energy, wind, falling water, the heat of the earth (geothermal), plant materials (biomass), waves, ocean currents, temperature differences in the oceans and the energy of the tides.There are four major types of nonrenewable resources: oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy. Oil, natural gas, and coal are collectively called fossil fuels. Fossil fuels were formed within the Earth from dead plants and animals over millions of years—hence the name “fossil” fuels.Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the SUN that is HARNESSED using a range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar architecture, molten salt power plants and artificial photosynthesis.