Which one of the following is not correctly matched?

The correct answer is D (Peru - Nitrate). The nitrate belt of the Atacama desert is associated with Chile, and Chilean saltpetre is the standard reference for nitrate in this matching question.

• A (Bolivia - Tin): Correct. Bolivia's Potosí region and its tin mining have long made it a major tin producer.
• B (Brazil - Iron Ore): Correct. Brazil, with the Minas Gerais and Carajás deposits, is among the world's largest iron ore exporters.
• C (Mexico - Silver): Correct. Mexico has been the world's leading silver producer for many years.
• D (Peru - Nitrate): Incorrect as a current match. Peru had nitrate in Tarapacá, which it lost to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-83). Peru is better known for copper, silver, zinc and guano.

The core concept is the mineral geography of Latin America, which connects to Mains GS-I economic geography and the resource-based economies of the region. Keep the mineral-country pairs together as a set, not as isolated facts.

Trap: Candidates who recall that Peru once had nitrate deposits may pick A, B or C, or they may treat historical facts as current ones. Stick to the present-day producer.