India Mineral Year Book

IRON ORE

Indian Minerals Yearbook 2012

(Part- III : Mineral Reviews) 51st Edition

IRON ORE

(FINAL RELEASE)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES INDIAN BUREAU OF MINES

Indira Bhavan, Civil Lines, NAGPUR – 440 001

PHONE/FAX NO. (0712) 2565471 PBX : (0712) 2562649, 2560544, 2560648

E-MAIL : cme@ibm.gov.in

Website: www.ibm.gov.in

February, 2014

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IRON ORE

28 Iron Ore

ron & steel is the driving force behind industrial development in a country. The vitality of the iron & steel industry largely influences its economic status. The mining of iron ore, an essential raw material for Iron & Steel Industry is arguably of prime importance among all mining activities undertaken by any country. With the total resources of over 28.52 billion tonnes of hematite (Fe 2O 3) and magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ), India is among the leading producers as well as exporters of iron ore in the world.

I

resources belong to unclassified, not-known and other grades. The resources of coal washery and foundry grades constitute meagre proportions. India's 97% magnetite resources are located in four states, namely, Karnataka - 7,802 million tonnes (73%) followed by Andhra Pradesh - 1,464 million tonnes (14%), Rajasthan - 527 million tonnes and Tamil Nadu - 507 million tonnes (5% each). Assam, Bihar, Goa, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya , Nagaland and Odisha together account for the remaining 3% resources (Table-2).

RESOURCES

Hematite and magnetite are the most important iron ores in India. About 59% hematite ore deposits are found in the Eastern Sector. About 92% magnetite ore deposits occur in Southern Sector, especially in Karnataka. Of these, hematite is considered to be superior because of its higher grade. Indian deposits of hematite belong to the Precambrian Iron Ore Series and the ore is within banded iron ore formations occurring as massive, laminated, friable and also in powdery form. As per UNFC system, the total resources of hematite as on...