Iron ore and manganese are examples of ferrous minerals, which provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical industries.
Distribution of iron ore in India:
• The two main types of iron ore found in India are haematite and magnetite. The iron ore mines occur in close proximity to the coal fields in the eastern plateau region of the country, which adds to their advantage. In Odisha, iron ore occurs in a series of hill ranges in Sundergarh, Mayurbhanj and Jhar.
• Similarly, hill ranges in Jharkhand have some of the oldest iron ore mines, such as Noamundi and Gua mines located in Poorbi and Pashchimi Singhbhum districts. This belt further extends to Chhattisgarh in the districts of Durg, Dantewada and Bailadila. Dalli and Rajhara in Durg are the important mines of iron ore in the country.
• In Karnataka, iron ore deposits occur in Sandur-Hospet area of Ballari district, Baba Budan hills and Kudremukh in Chikkamagaluru district and parts of Shivamogga, Chitradurg and Tumakuru districts. The districts of Chandrapur, Bhandara and Ratnagiri in Maharashtra, Karimnagar and Warangal district of Telangana, Kurnool, Cuddapah and Anantapur districts of Andhra Pradesh, Salem and Nilgiris districts of Tamil Nadu are other iron mining regions. Goa has also emerged as an important producer of iron ore.
Distribution of manganese in India:
• Manganese deposits are found in almost all geological formations; however, it is mainly associated with the Dharwar system. Odisha is the leading producer of manganese with major mines being located in the central part of the iron ore belt of India, particularly in Bonai, Kendujhar, Sundergarh, Gangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi and Bolangir.
• Karnataka is another major producer and here the mines are located in Dharwar, Ballari, Belagavi, North Canara, Chikkmagaluru, Shivamogga, Chitradurg and Tumakuru. Maharashtra is also an important producer of manganese, which is mined in Nagpur, Bhandara and Ratnagiri districts. However, these mines of Maharashtra are located far from steel plants. Additionally, the manganese belt of Madhya Pradesh extends in a belt in Balaghat-Chhindwara-Nimar- Mandla and Jhabua districts.
• Telangana, Goa, and Jharkhand are other minor producers of manganese. India is well placed in respect of both iron ore and manganese- in terms of reserves and production.
Manganese is an important raw material for smelting of iron ore and is also used for manufacturing ferro-alloys. India has the largest reserve of iron ore in Asia and it has great demand in the international market due to its superior quality.
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