Step 1: Understanding mineral classification.
Minerals are commonly classified into different groups on the basis of their metallic content and economic use. Important categories include ferrous minerals, non-ferrous minerals, non-metallic minerals, energy minerals, and precious minerals.
Step 2: Meaning of ferrous minerals.
Ferrous minerals are those minerals which contain iron. Examples include iron ore, manganese, chromite, and nickel. In the given flow chart, nickel is placed under ferrous minerals because it is associated with metallic mineral classification and industrial use.
Step 3: Identifying bauxite.
Bauxite is the chief ore of aluminium. Aluminium does not contain iron, so it is classified as a non-ferrous mineral. Other examples of non-ferrous minerals include copper, lead, zinc, tin, and aluminium.
Step 4: Eliminating incorrect options.
• Energy minerals include coal, petroleum, natural gas, and uranium. Bauxite is not an energy mineral.
• Non-metallic minerals include mica, limestone, gypsum, and salt. Bauxite is a metallic ore.
• Precious minerals include gold, silver, platinum, and diamonds. Bauxite is not a precious mineral.
• Non-ferrous minerals include minerals that do not contain iron, such as bauxite.
Step 5: Conclusion.
Since bauxite is an ore of aluminium and aluminium is a non-ferrous metal, the blank should be filled with Non-Ferrous Minerals. Therefore, the correct answer is Option (C).