India’s Ferrous Mineral Wealth: Iron Ore, Manganese, Chromite

Ferrous minerals, mainly iron ore and manganese, form a significant part of India’s mineral wealth, contributing about three-quarters of the total value of metallic mineral production. India is richly endowed with reserves and production capacity for ferrous minerals, particularly iron ore. The types of iron ore found in India include hematite and magnetite, with extensive mining operations in states like Odisha, Jharkhand, and Karnataka.

India’s Ferrous Mineral Wealth: Iron Ore and Manganese

Iron Ore

• Iron Ore Types and Uses

• • Magnetite (Fe3O4): 72% iron content; 
    • Used in electronic industries.
  • Hematite (Fe2O3): Iron content 60-70%; 
    • Utilized in iron and steel industries.
  • Limonite (FeO(OH)∙nH2O): Iron content 40-60%; 
    • Serves as a pigment for paints.
  • Siderite (FeCO3): Iron content 40-50%; 
    • Acts as a source of manganese.
• Types of Iron Ore in India: The two main types found in India are haematite and magnetite. 
• Proximity to Coal Fields: The iron ore mines occur in close proximity to the coal fields in the north-eastern plateau region of the country.
• About 95 per cent of total reserves of iron ore are located in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Goa, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• The major iron ore belts in India are:

• • Odisha: in a series of hill ranges in Sundergarh, Mayurbhanj and Jhar. Important mines: Gurumahisani, Sulaipat, Badampahar (Mayurbhanj), Kiruburu (Kendujhar) and Bonai (Sundergarh)
  • Jharkhand: Important mines:  Noamundi,  Gua.
  • Chhattisgarh: Dantewada and Bailadila. Dalli, and Rajhara in Durg.
  • Karnataka: Sandur-Hospet area of Bellary district, Baba Budan hills and Kudremukh in Chikmagalur district and Shivamogga, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts.
  • Maharashtra: Districts of Chandrapur, Bhandara and Ratnagiri.
  • Telangana: Karimnagar and Warangal district; Andhra Pradesh: Kurnool, Cuddapah and Anantapur districts.
  • Tamil Nadu: Salem and Nilgiris districts; Rajasthan: Bhilwara; Goa has also emerged as an important producer.
• Status of India: India’s iron ore is mostly hematite; India –the 2nd largest producer of hematite after Russia.

Global Iron Ore Production

• Africa: Liberia, South Africa, and Algeria.
• China: Reserves in Shenyang, Manchuria, Wuhan, Tai-ye, and Hainan Island.
• Australia: Primary producer with reserves in Western Australia.
• South America: Brazil.
• North America: USA and Canada, with rich deposits in the Great Lakes area.
• Russia: Key areas include the Kerch Peninsula, the Kursk region, and the Ural Mountains.
• Europe: major reserves in Sweden and France, with key centres in Rhine Valley (Germany), Lorraine, Normandy, and Pyrenees (France).

Manganese

• Uses of Manganese: Important raw material for smelting iron ore and also used for steel manufacturing (10 kg Mn for 1 ton steel) and ferro-manganese alloys. 
  • It is also used in manufacturing bleaching powder, insecticides and paints. 
• Geological Distribution of Manganese Deposits: Manganese deposits are found in almost all geological formations, however, they are mainly associated with the Dharwar system. Producers are:

• • Madhya Pradesh: Balaghat-Chhindwara-Nimar-Mandla and Jhabua districts
  • Orissa: Leading producer; Major mines in Orissa are located in  Bonai, Kendujhar, Sundergarh, Gangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi and Bolangir
  • Karnataka: Mines are located in Dharwad, Bellary, Belgaum, North Canara, Chikmagalur, Shimoga, Chitradurg and Tumkur
  • Maharashtra: Mines are in Nagpur, Bhandara and Ratnagiri districts
  • Telangana, Goa, and Jharkhand are other minor producers of manganese.
• State-wise Distribution in India: Odisha (44%); Karnataka (22%); Madhya Pradesh (13%); Maharashtra (8%); Andhra Pradesh (4%); Jharkhand and Goa (3% each); Rajasthan, Gujarat, and West Bengal (remaining 3%)
• Global Reserves: 
  • South Africa, Ukraine, and Australia hold the largest reserves; 
  • Abundant deposits in Ukraine, Caucasus mountains, Urals, and the Republic of Georgia; 
  • China and India are leading producers; 
  • Other major producers include Australia, Ghana, Gabon, Morocco, and South Africa.

Chromite

• Oxide of iron and chromium; primary ore for chromium.
• Uses: in chrome plating, alloying, metallurgy, and chemical industries.
• Reserves in India: India has estimated reserves of 203 MT, 93% in Odisha (Sukinda valley in Cuttack and Jajapur).
• Odisha is the sole producer (99%), major deposits in Keonjhar, Cuttack, and Dhenkanal.

Conclusion

• Ferrous minerals like iron ore and manganese are vital for various industries, including steel manufacturing and electronics. 
• India’s abundant reserves and strategic mining locations make it a key player in the global ferrous minerals market. 
• However, sustainable exploitation and efficient utilization of these resources are essential for long-term economic growth and industrial development

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