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Manganese Ore, Uses, Properties, Map, Importance, Distribution

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.

Manganese Distribution in India Map
Manganese Distribution in India Map

Read More: Types of Rocks

Manganese Ore Distribution in India

State Percentage of Production
Maharashtra
  • This country produces approximately 27.66% of India’s manganese.
  • The main belt is located in the districts of Nagpur and Bhandara.
  • High-grade ore can also be found in the Ratnagiri district.
Andhra Pradesh
  • Manganese production accounts for 13% of total production in India.
  • Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts were involved.
  • Srikakulam district is known for being India’s first manganese ore producer (1892).
  • Cuddapah, Vijayanagaram, and Guntur are among the other manganese-producing districts.
Madhya Pradesh
  • This country produces approximately 27.59 per cent of India’s manganese ore.
  • The main belt runs through Balaghat and Chhindwara districts.
  • It is simply an extension of the Nagpur Bhandara belt into Maharashtra.
Odisha
  • Production is currently at 24%. [First in reserves, second in production]
  • Sundargarh has Gondite [regional names] deposits, and Kalahandi and Koraput have Kodurite and Khondolite deposits.
  • Manganese is also mined from laterite deposits in the districts of Bolangir and Sambalpur.
Karnataka
  • Another major producer is Karnataka, which has mines in Dharwar, Ballari, Belagavi, North Canara, Chikkmagaluru, Shivamogga, and other locations.
Other Producers
  • Manganese is also produced in Goa, Gujarat, Panchmahals and Vadodara, Rajasthan, Udaipur and Banswara, and Jharkhand’s Singhbhum and Dhanbad.
  • Rajasthan, Gujarat, and West Bengal account for nearly 3% of total production.

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.

Other Indian Geography Topics

Seasons of India Mountains of India
Mangrove Forests in India Important Mountain Passes in India
Monsoon in India
Indus River System
Climate of India
Rivers of India
Tributaries of Ganga
National Parks in India
Important Dams in India
Wildlife Sanctuaries of India
Tiger Reserves in India
Northern Plains of India
Physiography of India
Important Lakes of India
Wetlands in India
Biodiversity in India
Natural Vegetation in India Earthquakes in India
Types of Soil in India
Ramsar Sites in India
Brahmaputra River System
Hydropower Plants in India
Nuclear Power Plants in India
Major Ports in India
Biosphere Reserves in India
Waterfalls in India

Other Fundamental Geography Topics

Solar System Types of Clouds
Structure of the Atmosphere Himalayan Ranges
Component of Environment
El Nino and La Nina
Coral Reef
Continental Drift Theory
Endogenic and Exogenic Forces
Indian Ocean Region
Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean Dipole
Air Pollution
Environmental Impact Assessment
Tropical Cyclone
Western Disturbances
Types of Rocks

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FAQs

Where is manganese found?

Manganese mining is primarily concentrated in China, Africa, Australia, and Gabon. The metal is produced by reducing manganese oxide with sodium, magnesium, or aluminium, or by electrolysis of manganese sulphate. Manganese nodules have been discovered on the ocean floor.

Is manganese safe to eat?

Manganese in food and beverages has not been shown to be harmful in studies. However, some people have developed manganese toxicity after drinking water containing extremely high levels of manganese. Inhaling large amounts of manganese dust from welding or mining work is another cause of manganese toxicity.

Is manganese harmful to humans?

As a result, too little or too much manganese may be harmful. Breathing high concentrations of manganese dust and fumes (e.g., welding) over time has been linked to nervous system toxicity in workers, resulting in a syndrome similar to Parkinson's Disease.

What's manganese used for?

Manganese is a coenzyme that aids in the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and cholesterol. It also aids enzymes in bone formation as well as the immune and reproductive systems. Manganese, in conjunction with vitamin K, aids in wound healing by clotting the blood.

Which food has manganese?

Manganese is found in many foods, including whole grains, clams, oysters, mussels, nuts, soybeans and other legumes, rice, leafy vegetables, coffee, tea, and many spices, including black pepper.

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