Mineral Resources of India

5.1 Metallic Minerals

Iron Ore

India has ~28.5 billion tonnes of iron ore reserves (world's 4th largest), with both haematite and magnetite types present. Top producing states are Odisha (55%), Jharkhand (25%), Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Goa.

Key mines:

• Bailadila (Dantewada, Chhattisgarh) — India's highest-grade hematite, exported to Japan
• Kiriburu (Singhbhum, Jharkhand)
• Hospet-Bellary (Karnataka) — major export hub; environmental controversy
• Suakati (Odisha)

Bauxite (PYQ 2023 — Q33)

India has ~3.5 billion tonnes of bauxite reserves (world's 5th largest) and is the 5th largest global producer (exported to Australia, Japan). Major mining areas:

• Panchpat Mali (Kalahandi, Odisha) — largest deposit
• Koraput (Odisha)
• Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
• Jamnagar (Gujarat)
• Kolhapur (Maharashtra)

Aluminium plants: NALCO (Angul, Odisha), HINDALCO (Renukoot, UP; Hirakud area), Balco (Korba, CG).

Copper

India has limited copper reserves and is a net importer. Major mines:

• Khetri (Rajasthan) — "Copper City"
• Singhbhum (Jharkhand) — Rakha, Surda mines
• Malanjkhand (MP) — largest open-cast copper mine

HCL (Hindustan Copper Limited) operates government mines.

Manganese

Used in steel making (ferro-manganese) and dry cells. Major producing states:

• Odisha (Kandhamal, Koraput)
• Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat)
• Karnataka (North Kanara)
• Goa, Maharashtra (Nagpur)

Mica

India is the world's largest sheet mica producer (~60% of global supply). Two major belts:

• Jharkhand-Bihar Mica Belt (Hazaribagh, Koderma, Girdih) — world's finest muscovite/ruby mica
• Rajasthan Mica Belt (Bhilwara, Ajmer, Jaipur)

Uses: Electrical insulation, electronics, cosmetics (shimmer). Note: child labour controversy in mica mines of Jharkhand is an ongoing concern.

Gold

Reserves are small. Major mines:

• Hutti (Raichur, Karnataka) — India's largest gold mine (HGML)
• Kolar Gold Fields (KGF, Karnataka) — Hindustan Gold: closed 2001 after reserves depleted; reopened with BGML
• Ramgiri (AP)

5.2 Fuel Minerals

Coal (PYQ Context)

India has ~344 billion tonnes of coal reserves (world's 4th largest) and is the world's 2nd largest coal producer (~900 MT/year, 2023). Over 90% is bituminous type from Gondwana formations.

Major coalfields by type:

Bituminous/Coking coal (Gondwana formations):

• Damodar Valley (Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro, Dhanbad)
• Godavari Valley (Singareni, Telangana)
• Mahanadi Basin (Talcher, Ib — Odisha)
• Wardha Valley (Yavatmal, Maharashtra)

Lignite (Tertiary age):

• Neyveli (Tamil Nadu) — only significant lignite field
• Also found in J&K; Palana, Rajasthan

Petroleum and Natural Gas

India's domestic crude production is declining — imports ~85% of crude needs. Key fields:

• Bombay High (Mumbai Offshore): Discovered 1974; peak production 1990s; ~60% of domestic crude; ONGC-operated
• Assam fields: Digboi (1889 — India's oldest oil well; ONGCL); Duliajan, Sibsagar (OIL)
• Krishna-Godavari Basin: KG-D6 block (Reliance Industries + BP); deep water; Andhra Pradesh coast
• Barmer-Sanchore Basin (Rajasthan): Significant crude and gas; discovered 1999; Cairn India (now Vedanta); ~20% of India's domestic crude
• Cauvery Basin (Tamil Nadu): Small production

Natural gas: Primary fields — Mumbai High, KG Basin, Assam, Rajasthan; total reserves ~2.7 trillion cubic metres.

5.3 Non-Metallic Minerals

Limestone: Abundant across Rajasthan (Nagaur, Jaisalmer), AP, MP — vital for cement industry; India is world's 2nd largest cement producer.

Gypsum: Rajasthan (Bikaner, Barmer, Nagaur) holds India's largest gypsum reserves. Used in cement, fertilizer (ammonium sulphate), and reclaiming alkali soils.

Phosphate Rock: Rajasthan (Udaipur-Jhamarkotra) holds one of the world's 2nd largest deposits. Also found in MP. Used for phosphatic fertilizers (DAP, SSP).

Uranium: Jadugoda (Jharkhand) is India's only operational uranium mine (UCIL). Tummalapalle (AP) is one of the world's largest uranium deposits (recent discovery) — crucial for nuclear power.

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