Rocks and minerals that can be commercially mined for their iron content can be referred to as iron ores. The ores’ colours vary and are caused by a high concentration of iron oxides.
Iron can be found in many different forms, the most common of which are magnetite, hematite, goethite, limonite, and siderite.
Types of iron ore in India
The consumption of iron is a measure of a nation’s growth. In the form of iron ore, iron is extracted from mines. The proportion of pure iron in various states of iron ore varies. Here is a list of four types of iron ore in India.
Hematite- Main ore of India
“Oxide of iron” refers to the hematite ore or red ochre. It contains between 60 and 70 per cent ferrous material. It is primarily found in the Dharwad and Cuddapah rocks. It is a large, rugged, lumpy, reddish, or ochre-coloured ore. It is also the main ore of India. Laminated hematite, micaceous hematite, haematite-breccia, and hematite quartz-schist are some of its main kinds. The leading iron ore miners in India of hematite are Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. The world’s most valuable iron ore is this one. It is the mineral most prevalent in the shallow crust and on Earth’s surface. It is a form of mineral in both igneous and sedimentary rocks.Magnetite- Black ore
As implied by its name, this type of iron ore in India is magnetic and referred to as ferrimagnetic, along with other naturally magnetic iron-containing minerals. In the 3-D crystal structure of magnetite, which belongs to the hexoctahedral crystal class, the iron atoms are purple, and the oxygen atoms are red. The primary use of magnetite is essential to iron ore for steel production. In addition, it is a catalyst to produce ammonia and a pigment for paints and ceramics. Its other services are magnetic micro- and nanoparticles for various techniques. The chief iron ore miners in India of this ore are Tamil Nadu (Salem and Trichchirappalli districts), Karnataka, and the states of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. There are 2,020 million tons in the national reserve. In variable amounts, the ore contains titanium, vanadium, and chromium.Limonite
The ferrous concentration of the limonite iron ore ranges from 35 to 50%. A mixture of iron ore, oxygen, and water is called “hydrated iron oxide.” Limonite iron ore production in India exists in the Raniganj coalfield, Garhwal and Mirzapur districts of Uttar Pradesh. The other iron ore miners are in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh, in the iron stones of the Damuda series. Many of the yellowish to yellowish-brown iron oxides generated during the weathering of iron-bearing rocks or deposited as bog, lake, and shallow marine sediments were known as “limonite” before the advent of modern mineral analysis. Hematite, magnetite, pyrite, and other iron-bearing minerals typically weather to create limonite as a secondary substance. This iron ore in India is also found in small amounts in stratified deposits where hydrous iron oxides precipitate as sediment on the bottom of shallow swamps, lakes, and marine settings. These may have an inorganic or biological source. Limonite is highly resistant to deterioration and frequently forms residual deposits. In lateritic soils, it is often the primary form of iron and a colouring agent.Siderite
Iron carbon is the name given to the siderite iron ore, which contains 10 to 48% ferrous material. It is brown. This type of iron ore in India is a less desirable type of iron ore. The calcite group of minerals consists of isomorphous connected carbonates and includes siderite. They can partially or wholly replace one another, forming a solid solution series because they share many physical characteristics. For example, iron oxides can be produced simply from siderite. Commonly, siderite is replaced by brown goethite.Iron ore production in India
Iron ore is present in some quantities throughout the nation. However, most of the reserves are concentrated in several carefully chosen locations. Over 95% of all Indian reserves are held by just six states: Jharkhand, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Goa. Hence, these states lead the iron ore production in India.
The most outstanding reserves, or nearly 25% of all reserves in India, are located in Jharkhand. Following this are Goa (11%), Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (18%), Karnataka (20%), Orissa (21%), and Karnataka. Assam, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra each provide 5% of the remaining total. You will find the majority of iron ore miners in India in these states.
India is the world’s fifth-largest exporter of iron ore. About 50 to 60 percent of the iron ore production in India is exported to nations like Japan, Korea, Europe, and most recently, the Gulf States. India’s largest export market for iron ore is Japan, which accounts for nearly three-fourths of all our shipments.
Sree Metaliks, a trusted name among iron ore companies in India
Sree Metaliks Limited, one of India’s top iron ore miners, has its captive mines. The company uses the resource in its integrated steel plants to create finished goods, including sponge iron, billets, TMT bars, pellets, and pig iron.
With various superior products, Sree Metaliks balances its consumers’ needs while boosting iron ore production in India. Its team of experts has successfully and repeatedly shown that it can meet and surpass the expectations of a wide range of clients. Therefore, they have made a name for themselves as India’s best iron ore company.
Their productive efforts and goods attest to our national stature. People value their mining expertise, accurate reporting, and moral character. With their tradition of quality labour and goods, they are the leader among the iron ore companies in India.
