Introduction to Rich Diversity and Geological Disparities 

India is fortunate to have fairly rich and varied mineral resources however unevenly distributed. Peninsular rocks, hosting Minerals in India, contain reserves of coal, metallic minerals, mica and many other non-metallic minerals. Sedimentary rocks on the western and eastern flanks of the peninsula, in Gujarat and Assam, off-shore-areas near Mumbai Coast (Mumbai High) have most of the petroleum deposits. The vast alluvial plains of north India are almost devoid of economic minerals. 

These variations in the distribution of minerals in India exist largely because of the differences in the geological structure, processes and time involved in the formation of minerals. 

A Belt of Minerals in India: Geographical Distribution and Economic Significance

Three Broad Belts: Minerals in India are generally concentrated in three broad belts. These belts are:

India Distribution of important Minerals

• The North-Eastern Plateau Region: This belt covers Chotanagpur (Jharkhand), Orissa Plateau, West Bengal and parts of Chhattisgarh. 
  • Over 97% of coal reserves occur in the valleys of Damodar, Sone, Mahanadi and Godavari. 
  • It has a variety of minerals viz. iron ore, coal, manganese, bauxite, mica. 
  • Thus major iron and steel industries are located in this region. 
• The South-Western Plateau Region: This belt extends over Karnataka, Goa and contiguous Tamil Nadu uplands and Kerala, showcases the diverse tapestry of minerals in India. 
  • This belt is rich in ferrous metals and bauxite. 
  • It also contains high grade iron ore, manganese and limestone. 
  • This belt packs in coal deposits except Neyveli lignite. 
  • This belt does not have as diversified mineral deposits as the north-eastern belt. 
  • Kerala has deposits of monazite and thorium, bauxite clay and Goa has iron ore deposits.
• The North-Western Region: This belt extends along Aravali in Rajasthan and part of Gujarat and minerals in India are associated with the Dharwar system of rocks. 
  • Rajasthan has reserves of many non-ferrous minerals such as copper, zinc. 
  • Rajasthan is rich in building stones i.e. sandstone, granite, marble. Gypsum and Fuller’s earth deposits are also extensive. 
  • Dolomite and limestone provide raw materials for the cement industry. 
  • Gujarat is known for its petroleum deposits. 
  • Both Gujarat and Rajasthan have rich sources of salt.
• The Himalayan belt:  Copper, lead, zinc, cobalt and tungsten occur in both the eastern and western parts. 
  • Assam valley has mineral oil deposits. 
• Factors Influencing Economic Viability of Minerals in India: The concentration of minerals in the ore, the ease of extraction and closeness to the market play an important role in affecting the economic viability of a reserve. 
• Thus, to meet the demand, a choice has to be made between a number of possible options. When this is done a mineral ‘deposit’ or ‘reserve’ turns into a mine, reflecting the dynamic landscape of minerals in India.
• The spatial pattern of some of the important minerals are given below:

Metallic Minerals: Powering Metallurgical Advancements and Global Exports

A Comprehensive Overview of Ferrous and Manganese Resources 

• All those minerals which have iron content are ferrous such as iron ore, manganese, chromite, etc.. These account for about 3/4th of the total value of the production of metallic minerals in India.
• Foundations for Metallurgical Advancement: They provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical industries. 
• Strategic Prowess: Our country is well-placed in respect of ferrous minerals both in reserves and production. 
•  A Leading Exporter: It exports substantial quantities of ferrous minerals after meeting her internal demands (Refer Figure).

India – Metallic Minerals (Ferrous)

Iron Ore in India: Reserves, Types, and Strategic Locations

• The Backbone of Industrial Development in India: Iron ore is the basic mineral and the backbone of industrial development. 
  • The total reserves of iron ore in the country were about 22,487 million tonnes in the year 2015. 
• Primary Ore Varieties in India: The two main types of ore found in our country are haematite and magnetite. The iron ore mines occur in close proximity to the coal fields in the north-eastern plateau region of the country which adds to their advantage in the context of Minerals in India. 
  • Magnetite: It is the finest iron ore with a very high content of iron up to 70%. 
    • It has excellent magnetic qualities, especially valuable in the electrical industry. 
  • Hematite: It is the most important industrial iron ore in terms of the quantity used, but has a slightly lower iron content than magnetite (about 50-60%).
• Major Iron Ore Belts in India: The major iron ore belts in India are:
  • Orissa-Jharkhand belt: In Orissa, a state rich in resources of minerals in India, high grade hematite ore is found in Badampahar mines in the Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts. 
    • In the adjoining Singhbhum district of Jharkhand haematite iron ore is mined in Gua and Noamundi.  
    • Jharkhand has some of the oldest iron ore mines and most of the iron and steel plants, emphasizing the minerals in India richness.
  • Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt: It lies in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Very high grade hematites are found in the Bailadila range of hills in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. 
    • The range of hills comprises 14 deposits of super high grade hematite iron ore. It has the best physical properties needed for steel making. 
    • Iron ore from these mines is exported to Japan and South Korea via Vishakapatnam port. 
    • Dalli, and Rajhara in Durg are also the important mines of iron ore.
  • Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmagalur-Tumkur Belt: Karnataka has large reserves of iron ore. 
    • The Kudermukh mines, one of the largest deposits in the world located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka are a 100% export unit. 
    • The ore is transported as slurry through a pipeline to a port near Mangalore.
• Maharashtra-Goa Belt: Includes the state of Goa and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. 
  • • Though, the ores are not of very high quality, yet they are efficiently exploited. 
    • Iron ore is exported through Mormugao port.

Manganese in India: Production, Applications, and Resource Riches

• Versatile Industrial Applications: Manganese, a crucial mineral in India, serves as an important raw material for smelting of iron ore and also used for manufacturing ferro-manganese alloys. 
• Nearly 10 kg of manganese is required to manufacture one tonne of steel.
  •  It is also used in manufacturing bleaching powder, insecticides and paints. 
• Manganese Riches: Manganese deposits are found in almost all geological formations, however, it is mainly associated with the Dharwar system. Producers are:

• Madhya Pradesh: It is the largest producer of manganese ores in India. It accounted for 33% of the country’s total production in 2018-19 under the purview of Minerals in India. 
  • The manganese belt of Madhya Pradesh extends in a belt in Balaghat-Chhindwara-Nimar-Mandla and Jhabua districts. 
• Orissa: It is another largest producer of manganese ores in India. It accounted for 18% of the country’s total production in 2018-19 in the realm of Minerals in India. 
  • Major mines in Orissa are located in the central part of the iron ore belt of India, particularly in Bonai, Kendujhar, Sundergarh, Gangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi and Bolangir. 
• Karnataka: It is another major producer and here the mines are located in Dharwad, Bellary, Belgaum, North Canara, Chikmagalur, Shimoga, Chitradurg and Tumkur. 
• Maharashtra: It is also an important producer of manganese, a significant minerals in India,  which is mined in Nagpur, Bhandara and Ratnagiri districts. 
  • The disadvantage to these mines is that they are located far from steel plants. 
• Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Jharkhand are other minor producers of manganese.

Conclusion
The abundance of minerals in India, spanning ferrous and non-ferrous resources, is a cornerstone of its economic landscape. The geographical distribution, reflecting diverse geological processes, underscores the nation’s mineral wealth, showcasing the vital role of minerals in India’s economic landscape. Strategic and sustainable management of these minerals in India is imperative for fostering economic growth while preserving environmental equilibrium.

Also Read: India’s Mineral Wealth: Distribution, Challenges, Conservation Strategies

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