RAS question
The Zawar mines, considered to be among the oldest zinc mines in the world, are located near which city?
Correct answer: (A) Udaipur.
The Zawar mines are located near Udaipur, about 40 km to its south, in Rajasthan.
Explanation
Zawar is linked to Udaipur because the Indian Bureau of Mines describes the Zawar group as four mines in Udaipur district: Mochia, Balaria, Zawarmala and Baroi. Indian Bureau of Mines, Lead & Zinc 2022 states that the Zawar group of mines is one of the oldest mines and is located about 40 km south of Udaipur. The historical importance of this location comes from archaeological evidence indicating zinc smelting at Zawar from the 6th century BCE, making it one of the world's oldest zinc production sites. It is also operated by Hindustan Zinc Limited, so the site is important both for Rajasthan's mineral geography and for the state's lead-zinc industry.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Ajmer is wrong because Indian Bureau of Mines, Lead & Zinc 2022 lists Kayad as a separate Ajmer-district mine, while Zawar is specifically placed in Udaipur district and about 40 km south of Udaipur.
- (C) Dungarpur is wrong because the tested location is not merely in southern Rajasthan; the Zawar group is identified with Udaipur district.
- (D) Bhilwara is wrong because Indian Bureau of Mines, Lead & Zinc 2022 links Bhilwara district with Rampura Agucha, whereas Zawar is listed separately as the Udaipur-district group of mines.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan mineral geography: matching a major mine group with its correct city or district. It recurs in RAS because location-based questions on lead-zinc mining are a standard way to connect resources, industry and regional economy.