Table of Contents
Manganese Ore
Manganese is an important raw material used in the smelting of iron ore and in the production of ferroalloys. Manganese deposits can be found in nearly every geological formation. It is, however, primarily associated with the Dharwar system. Odisha is the leading manganese producer and major mines in Odisha are concentrated in the country’s central iron ore belt, specifically in Bonai, Kendujhar, Sundergarh, Gangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Bolangir.
Read More: Cobalt Ore
What is Manganese?
Manganese is a ferroalloy metal. It is a hard, heavy, and silvery metal. It is exploited as ores as well as nodules on the deep seafloor. There are two types of manganese ores namely Pyrolusite and Psilomelane.
Read about: Energy Resources
Manganese Resources in India
In India, Manganese Ore deposits are primarily associated with the Gondite Series of Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat, Chhindwara, and Jhabua districts), Maharashtra (Bhandara and Nagpur districts), Gujarat (Panchmahal district), Odisha (Sundargarh district), and Andhra Pradesh (Ganjam and Koraput districts), and the Kodurite Series (Archaeans) (Srikakulam & Visakhapatnam districts).
In the country, both opencast and underground methods of manganese ore mining are used. There are 8 underground mines out of a total of 142. (3 in Madhya Pradesh and 5 in Maharashtra). MOIL Ltd, a government-owned company, ran seven underground mines, while M/s J.K. Minerals, Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), a private company, ran one. The underground mines are all automated or mechanised.
Read about: Land Reforms in India
Manganese Ore Distribution in India Map
Below Map showing Manganese Ore deposits in India.
Read More: Types of Rocks
Manganese Ore Distribution in India
| State | Percentage of Production |
| Maharashtra |
|
| Andhra Pradesh |
|
| Madhya Pradesh |
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| Odisha |
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| Karnataka |
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| Other Producers |
|
Read about: Mountains of India
Manganese Ore Distribution in World
China is the largest manganese producer, followed by South Africa. Manganese is also widely distributed in India, Ghana, and Brazil.
| Country | Regions |
| China | Guangxi, Hunan, and Guizhou provinces. |
| South Africa | Postmasburg, Kuruman and west of Kimberly |
| CIS | Nikopol and Tokmak in Ukraine, Chiature in Georgia, Ulu Teljak in the Urals, Usa in Kuzbass. |
| India | Balaghat, Vishakhapatnam, Singhbhum, Goa |
| Ghana | Nsuta |
| Brazil | Near Mecapa in Amapa, Minas Gerais, Urucum in western Mato Grosso. |
| Others | Deposits as nodules, especially in the Pacific Ocean. |
Read More: Soils
Manganese Ore Uses
Manganese has a variety of uses, including:
- Manganese is far too brittle to be valuable as a pure metal. It is primarily found in alloys such as steel.
- Steel contains about 1% manganese, which increases its strength. It also improves workability and resistance. It is used in railway tracks, safes, rifle barrels, and prison bars.
- It is used in various chemical industries as an oxidizer to prepare disinfectants and other chemicals.
- It is also used in making electric batteries, paints, and plastics.
Read about: Wetlands in India
Manganese Ore Importance
Manganese ore is important for several reasons:
- Manganese is an extremely hard and brittle silvery grey mineral.
- It is always found with iron, laterite, and other minerals.
- Manganese alloys are an important component of steel production, and steel is one of the most important indicators of a country’s industrial economy’s growth.
- In recent years, the global trade volume of manganese ore has increased, including in India.
- India is currently one of the world’s largest manganese ore importers.
Manganese UPSC
India has a diverse range of mineral resources due to its diverse geological structure. India processes the world’s second-largest manganese reserves, after Zimbabwe. India is the world’s fifth-largest producer, trailing only China, Gabon, South Africa, and Australia. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka are the major manganese ore-producing states. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh produce more than half of India’s manganese. This article will explain Manganese Resources in India, which will help you prepare for the UPSC Civil Service Exam in Geography.
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