RAS question
The Bailadila iron ore mines are located in which state?
Correct answer: (B) Chhattisgarh.
The Bailadila iron ore mines are located in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.
Explanation
Bailadila is not just a generic iron-ore belt; it is tied to Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh. District Dantewada, Government of Chhattisgarh describes Dantewada as a district in the southern Bastar region of Chhattisgarh and Bailadila as a mountain range known for large, high-quality iron ore deposits. The Bailadila industrial area lies around Bacheli and Kirandul, with the iron ore mines situated on the range's highest peak, Aakash Nagar, and linked to NMDC mining activity. NMDC operates the Kirandul and Bacheli mine complexes in Dantewada. Therefore, Chhattisgarh is the precise location.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Jharkhand is associated with iron ore in Singhbhum, but the Bailadila mines are in Dantewada district, Chhattisgarh.
- (C) Karnataka has the Bellary-Hospet iron-ore belt, but Bailadila refers to the Dantewada-Chhattisgarh mine area, not Karnataka.
- (D) Odisha has major iron ore areas in Keonjhar and Sundargarh, but Bailadila is associated with Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh.
Concept
India's mineral-resource geography includes the state-wise location of major iron-ore belts. RAS frequently tests mining locations because they connect physical geography with state economy and industrial development.