Iron Ore in India

India has been blessed with the biggest iron ore resource. It naturally occurs in a range of geological formations. However, it has been studied that the prime economic deposit of the Iron ore is related to the volcano-sedimentary BIF (Banded Iron Formation) of the Precambrian age. Magnetite and Hematite are the notable names of iron ore predominantly found in India. From these, Hematite is found to be a crucial Iron ore, as it has exceptional quality and is available lumpy in nature. This makes it one of the most chosen raw materials by the steel and sponge iron industries in the nation. 

According to the United Framework Classification (UNFC) of the mineral resources, the iron ore reserves in India are nearly 200 million metric tonnes. Magnetite and Hematite are the principal iron ores.

It can be said that nearly most of the production in the present day of Iron and the products is by the use of the hematite reserves. Magnetite reserves are not used in a similar amount as these are mostly found in the Western Ghats, which are the most fragile areas. There it can be considered to remain locked until they are ready to exploit by the implementation of a unique mining methodology that can satisfactorily take care of the environmental issues.

It has been studied that around 96% of the hematite resources are available in some of the states like Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Goa, and Karnataka. These are the leading names of states with the highest iron production in India. The rest of the resources are available in some of the other states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh. 

A Quick Overview

The Most Recognized Varieties of Iron Ores are: 

• Magnetite: This is the top quality of iron ore that contains 72% pure iron. The magnetic property of this variant is exceptional and which is why it is known as Magnetite. It is available mainly in Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Kerala, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu. 

• Haematite: This particular variant has almost 60 - 70% of the pure Iron. It is available in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Orissa, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh. 

• Limonite: This particular variant has almost 40 - 60% of pure Iron. This is available in light brown or yellow in colour. 

• Siderite: This particular variant is found to have several impurities and only contains 40 – 50% of pure Iron. However, since it has the lime content in it, this is self-fluxing. 

Annual Report of 2019-20 from the Ministry Of Mines: 

According to the reports: 

1. India has some of the most precious reserves. The nation has a considerable amount of Iron Ore, Sillimanite, and Bauxite which makes it self-sufficient. Some of the most common names that are imported in India include Rock Phosphate, Copper, Magnesite, and Copper. 

2. Now when the Iron Ore mines in Odisha are fully functional, India is all set to export the Iron ore. 

3. The leading state for the production of Iron ore in India is Odisha. It accounts for over 55% of the complete output, followed by the states like Chhattisgarh, offering almost 17%. 

4. It is then followed by Jharkhand and Karnataka that produce 11% and 14% respectively. 

5. In the current times, the total value of the metallic minerals in the year 2018 - 19 was Rs 24,044 crores. From these, the prime metallic mineral, which is Iron ore, contributes to over Rs 45,000 crores. This is similar to making 70% of the total contribution. 

Production & Distribution

The overall Iron Ore reserve available in the nation is nearly 12,317 million tonnes for Haematite and almost 5395.2 million tonnes for Magnetite. The high-end ore resources are available in a limited amount and are restricted mainly in the Bailadia sector. This is a place in Chhattisgarh. Besides, a low amount can be found in Bellary-Hospet in Karnataka and Orissa and Jharkhand.  

Haematite resources are available in a large amount in Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh. The Magnetic resources are primarily situated in the states of Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan. The answer to where is Iron found in India remains in the following section. 

1. Orissa: Orissa is the largest Iron producing state in India. It has a considerable reserve of more than 22% of the Iron ore in India. Some of the known deposits that are available in this area include Sambalpur, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Cuttack, and Koraput districts. The richest Haematite deposit in India is in the Barbil-Koira valleys of India. There are more than 100 deposits available in more than 53 square kilometres. These iron ores are rich in the Haematite products as it contains 60% of the iron contents. It is the enormous iron ore reserves and production in India. 

2. Karnataka: Karnataka is one of the biggest producers that accounts for almost one-fourth of the whole Iron ore production in India. The iron ore production in Karnataka has improved by nearly three times from 1980. 

3. Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh has a vast as 18% of the entire reserves of Iron Ore in the nation. This particular state is known for producing almost 50% of the entire production in the country. Some of the prominent deposits are distributed in different regions of Durg and Bastar Districts. It has been estimated that these districts as a whole have 4,064 million tons of Iron ore deposits. 

4. Goa: The Iron ore production in Goa started late and has started making a great development. Starting from nothing, this state is now known to be the 4th most significant iron ore producer. Even when the reserves account for only 11% of the iron ore production in India, which might not be as impressive as the other states, it still could stand in the 1st position as the Iron Ore producer for many years. 

5. Jharkhand: This state has a total of 14% reserves which is 25% of the total reserves for Iron ore production in the nation. It initially started in the Singhbhum district around 1904. Iron ore is known for its optimum quality, which can last for more than 100 years. 

Mining in Odisha

In the nations’ map, Odisha has taken a significant part when it comes to the iron ore reserves and production in India. The state includes 24% Coal, 28% Iron ore, 98% Chromite, and 59% Bauxite. The resources available in this state have resulted in getting the attention of several metallurgical and mining companies. After Independence, Odisha soon started gaining the industrial belt in the nation as it is the highest Iron producing state in India. Some of the oldest mines available in the state are at IB valley and Talcher. In 1975, after nationalization, several power plants were made in this state. It has now become the leading producer of iron ore in India.

Some of the prime industries that are available in Odisha in the current times comprise the integrated steel plants situated in Rourkela, Angul, Kalinga Nagar, and Jharsuguda. National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) with the Alumina Plant located in Damanjodi and the Aluminium Smelting Company located at Angul. Thermal Power Plants are located in IB valley and Talcher areas. Moreover, you will find Paper, Pulp, and Fertilizers Industries, Cement Plants, Ferro Alloys, etc., in the other part of the state.  The state’s industrial growth has taken place in some of the areas where water, power, and raw materials are fully available. The state has been divided into the twelve most active zones. The areas are based on the mineral like:

Apart from being the reserves of some of the prime minerals like Bauxite, Chromite, Nickel, Coal, and Iron-ore, there are other mineral industries available like Limestone, China Clay, Quartz, Fire Clay, semi-precious and precious stones like Graphite, Vanadium, Manganese, Copper, and others are also available in the state.

Iron ore is found in abundance in the several districts of Sundargarh, Jajpur, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj. While Chromite is confined chiefly in Jajpur, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal districts, manganese is available in Balangir, Rayagada, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh districts, and Dolomite is present in plenty in Sundargarh. The two prime coal-bearing areas of the state that are being exploited include IB valley and Talcher. 

New Reserves are found in Jiling Langlota & Guali

OMC, or the Odisha Mining Corporation that is operated by the State Government, has mentioned the production in Jiling, Langlota and Guali. Dharmendra Pradhan and Prahlad Joshi have made their inauguration of these mines. 

Benefits offered To the State: 

• These two mines will cater to the needs for raw materials of the industries situated in the state. 

• These mines are included with the iron ore blocks that are located in the Keonjhar district. It has been estimated that these mines would have an estimated production of 12 million tonnes. 

• These reserves have been found to have 275 million tons of materials which can generate annual revenue of approximately Rs 4-5000 crores to the State of Odisha.  

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