Why is Himalayan region poor in mineral resources ?

The Himalayan region is considered poor in mineral resources primarily because the displacement of rock strata has disturbed the arrangement of rocks, making the geological structure extremely complex [1]. While the Greater Himalayas are composed of crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks like granite and schists [1], the intense tectonic activity and orogeny have led to heavy thrusting where older rocks frequently overlie newer ones [1]. This geological instability and the presence of numerous folds, faults, and joints make the identification and extraction of mineral veins difficult and economically unviable. Although the region contains various metallic and non-metallic minerals like coal, copper, and zinc [3], the complex structural deformation and poor accessibility act as significant barriers to large-scale exploitation compared to the stable Peninsular block [3].

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 2. The Greater Himalaya > p. 12
2. [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 8. Minerals > p. 29
3. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 7: Resources > Distribution of Minerals > p. 1