Study Notes on Ferrous Metallic Minerals: Iron Ore and Manganese

Ferrous Metallic Minerals Overview

Ferrous metallic minerals are characterized by their iron content and are fundamental to the development of modern industries, particularly iron and steel production.

Iron Ore Characteristics and Types

Iron ore is the basic mineral and the backbone of industrial development. India is endowed with fairly abundant resources of iron ore. The quality and utility of iron ore are determined by its iron content and physical properties.

Magnetite

• Description: This is the finest iron ore available.
• Iron Content: It possesses a very high content of iron, reaching almost $70\%$.
• Qualities: It has excellent magnetic qualities, which make it exceptionally valuable in the electrical industries.

Hematite

• Description: It is considered the most important industrial iron ore.
• Industrial Use: Huge quantities of this ore are utilized in the iron and steel industry.
• Iron Content: The iron content in hematite typically ranges between $50\%$ and $60\%$.

Limonite

• Iron Content: Contains between $40\%$ and $60\%$ iron.

Siderite

• Iron Content: Contains between $40\%$ and $50\%$ iron.

Major Iron Ore Production Belts in India

India's iron ore is concentrated in several distinct geographic belts.

Odisha-Jharkhand Belt

• Mines in Odisha: High-grade hematite ore is found in the Badampahar mines located in the Mayurbhunj and Kendujhar districts.
• Mines in Jharkhand: Hematite ore is mined in Gua and Noamundi in the Singhbhum district.

Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt

• Location: This belt lies across Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
• Bailadila Range: Located in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, these hills are famous for high-grade hematite. The range contains $14$ super grade deposits of this ore.
• Logistics: Iron ore from the Bailadila range is exported to Japan and South Korea via the Vishakapatnam port.

Bellary-Chitradurg-Chikmaglur-Tumkur Belt

• Location: Situated in the state of Karnataka.
• Kudremukh Mines: Located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, these deposits are known as some of the world's largest.
• Transportation: The entire iron ore mined from Kudremukh is transported as slurry through a pipeline to a port for export.
• Export: The ore is exported through the Mangalore port.

Maharashtra-Goa Belt

• Location: Includes the state of Goa and the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.
• Export: Iron ore from this belt is exported via the Marmagao port.

Global Export Profile of Indian Iron Ore

• Primary Markets: Japan, South Korea, European countries, and Gulf countries.
• Market Dominance: Japan is India's largest buyer, purchasing $\frac{3}{4}$ (or $75\%$) of the total exports of India's iron ore.

Manganese: Characteristics, Uses, and Production

Manganese is another critical ferrous mineral used primarily in the manufacturing of steel and various alloys.

Uses and Industrial Requirements

• Steel Production: Manganese is used for making iron and steel. It is essential for preparing ferro-manganese alloys.
• Manufacturing Ratio: Approximately $10\,\text{kg}$ of manganese is required to produce $1\,\text{tonne}$ of steel.
• Other Applications: It is also used in the manufacture of bleaching powder, paints, and insecticides.

Areas of Production

• Major Producing States: Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and Maharashtra.
• Statewise Production (Data from 2009-10):     - Odisha: The largest manganese producing state in India, accounting for $\frac{1}{4}$ ($25\%$) of the total national production.     - Madhya Pradesh: Accounts for $24\%$ of the total production.     - Karnataka: Accounts for $22\%$ of the total production.     - Other States: Combined, they account for $29\%$ of the production.

Export of Manganese

• Export Volume: $\frac{1}{5}$ ($20\%$) of India's manganese production is exported.
• Major Buyer: Japan is the primary consumer, buying $\frac{2}{3}$ ($\approx 66.7\%$) of India's manganese exports.