Introduction to Iron Ore

Iron ore is abundantly available in the Earth’s crust. It forms the basic raw material for Iron & Steel industry. Coal is the other important input that goes into the Steel Industry.Coal Mining Stocks in India are doing very well as massive demand from the Electricity Sector is driving the prices up.Abundant Iron and Coal has made Steel Companies in India amongst the lowest cost producers of Steel in the World.India has large reserves of good quality of iron ore which can meet the growing demand of domestic iron & steel industry and can also sustain considerable external trade. With the total resources of over 25.25 billion tonnes (both haematite & magnetite), India is one of the leading producers as well as exporters of iron ore in the world. India is endowed with significant mineral resources. India produces 89 minerals out of which 4 are fuel minerals, 11 metallic, 52 non-metallic and 22 minor minerals.

The total value of mineral production was Rs. 5,68,070 million in 2000-01, of which the  value of minerals other than petroleum and natural gas was Rs. 3,06,751 million. The metallic production is accounted for by iron-ore, copper-ore, chromite and zinc concentrates, gold, manganese ore, bauxite, lead concentrates. India ranks 4^th in iron ore (source – Ministry of Mines). The Ministry of Mines is responsible for the survey and exploration of all minerals (other than natural gas and petroleum),  for mining and metallurgy of non-ferrous metals.

Geographic Presence of Iron Ore in India

Haematite and magnetite are the most prominent of the iron ores found in India.The major deposits of iron ore are located  in Jharkhand, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Karnataka and Goa States. About 60% of haematite ore deposits are found in the Eastern sector and about 80% magnetite ore deposits  occur in the Southern sector, specially in Karnataka. Of these, haematite is considered to be superior because of its high grade. Major haematite resources are located mainly in Jharkhand- 4036 MT(28%), Orissa-4761 MT (33%),  Chattisgarh-2731 MT (19%), Karnataka-1676 MT (11%) and Goa-713 MT (5%). The balance resources spread over the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Assam together contain around 4% of haematite. Magnetite ore deposits are mainly confined to the Chikmagalur district in Karnataka and Salem and North Arcot districts in Tamil Nadu.

How is Iron Or Processed in India

Production of iron ore in the country is through a combination of large mechanised mines in both public and private sectors and several smaller mines operated in manual  or semi mechanised basis in the private sector. During 2001-02, 215  iron ore mines were operating in a total 638 leases which increased to 261, during 2005-06 operating in 505 leases. During 2006-07, India produced 172.3 MT of iron ore including lump, fines & concentrate. Normally, iron ore mining in India  is done by opencast method and on the basis of mining methods, the mining can be broadly divided into two categories, i.e., manual and mechanized. Majority of the large mechanised mines are in the public sectors whereas manual mines are mainly in the private sector. In order to support steel production of 110 MT by 2019-20, the requirement of iron ore is placed at 190 MT & exports have been estimated to be around 100 MT. World iron ore production was 1,690 MT in 2006. Although iron ore is mined in more than 50 countries, the bulk of world production comes from just a few countries.  The five largest producers are Brazil,China, Australia, India & Russia.

Effects on Environment:

The exploration, exploitation and associated activities of iron ore mining directly infringe upon the environment and affect air, water, land, flora & fauna. The most significant environmental damages due to iron ore mining in India are the deterioration of forest ecology, alteration of land use pattern and change in local drainage system due to inadequate landscape management during mining operation and improper & inadequate rehabilitation strategy adopted.

Mines Statistics :

Number of Reporting Iron Ore Mines in India:
Year             No. of reporting mines
2000 – 01   208
2001 – 02   215
2002 – 03   242
2003 – 04   266
2004 – 05   270
2005 – 06    261
Source: IBM, Nagpur

Here is a list of the Iron Ore Mines in India: (Owner & Mines)

Central Zone/ Chattisgarh :

1. M/s. National Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. – Bailadila Iron Ore Project
2. M/s. Steel Authority of India Ltd. – Rajhara Iron Ore Mines, Dalli Mine, Jharandalli Iron Ore Mine, Mahamaya-Dulki Iron Ore Mine

Western Zone/Goa & Maharashtra :

1. M/s. Sesa Goa Ltd. – Codli Iron Ore Mines, Sonshi Gaval Iron Ore Mine
2. M/s. Dempo Mining Corporation Ltd. – Bicholim Iron Ore Mines
3. M/s. Chowgule & Co. Ltd. – Costi & Tundu Iron Ore Mines
4. M/s. Bandekar Brothers Pvt.Ltd. – Jaquela ou Iron Ore Mine
5. M/s. Sociedade De Fomento Industries Pvt. Ltd. – Shigao Iron Ore Mines
6. M/s. V M Salgaoncar & Bros Ltd. – Velguem/Surla Iron Ore Mines
7. M/s. Salgaonkar Mining India Ltd. – Smi Tatodi Iron Ore Mines
8. M/s. Gogte Minerals Pvt.Ltd. – Redi Iron Ore Mines
9. M/s. Sociedade Timblo Irmaos Pvt. Ltd. – Gautona Dusrifal Iron Ore Mines
10. M/s Gahra Minerals Pvt.Ltd. –  Gunjewahi Iron Ore Mines
11. M/s. Maharastra State Mining Corporation Ltd. – Khuisipar Iron Ore Mines
12. M/s. D B Bandodkar & Sons Pvt. Ltd. – Matta & Dando Iron Ore Mines
13. M/s. M Talaulicar & Sons Pvt. Ltd. – Saniem Iron Ore Mines

Southern Zone/Karnataka :

1. M/s. Kudremukh Iron Ore Co. Ltd. – Kudremukh Iron Ore Mines
2. M/s. National Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. – Kumarswamy Iron Ore Mines, Donimalai Iron Ore Mines
3. M/s. R Pampapathy Pvt. Ltd. – Aarpee Iron Ore Mines
4. M/s. Tungabhadra Minerals Pvt. Ltd. – Bellary Iron Ore Mines
5. M/s. Sandur Manganese & Iron Ore Ltd. – Deogiri Iron Ore Mines
6. M/s. Bellary Mining Corporation – Halakundi Iron Ore Mines
7. M/s. Mysore Minerals Ltd. – Jambunathanahalli Iron Ore Mines, Ubbalagundi Iron Ore Mines
8. M/s. Mineral Sales Pvt. Ltd. – Vyasanakere Iron Ore Mines
9. M/s. Dalmia Cement (Bharath) Pvt. Ltd. – Bharatarayanaharu Iron Ore Mines
10. M/s. Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., Steel Authority of India Ltd. – Kemmangundi Iron Ore Mines
11. M/s. S V Minerals Pvt. Ltd.-  S V K Iron Ore Mines
12. M/s. P Balasubba Setty & Sons Pvt. Ltd. – Karadikolla Sureeh Iron Ore Mines,

Eastern Zone/Jharkhand & Orissa :

1. M/s. TATA Iron & Steel Company Ltd. – Noamundi Iron Ore Mines, Joda East Iron Ore Mines
2. M/s. Steel Authority of India Ltd. – Barsua Iron Ore Mines, Bolani Ore Mines, Kalta Iron Ore Mines, Kiriburu Iron Ore Mines, Meghahatuburu Iron Ore Mines
3. M/s. Indian Iron & Steel Co. Ltd.- Manoharpur(Chiria) Iron Ore Mines, Gua Iron Ore Mines
4. M/s. Essel Mining & Industries Ltd. – Jilling Langolata Iron Ore & Manganese Mines,
5. Kasia Iron Ore Mines
6. M/s. Orissa Mineral Development Co. Ltd. – Thakurani Iron Ore Mines, Belkundi Iron Ore Mines, Bagaiburu Iron Ore Mines
7. M/s. Serajuddin & Co. – Balda Iron Ore Mines
8. M/s. Orissa Mining Corporation Ltd. – Balda Palsa Jajung Iron ore Mines, Barpada Kasia Iron Ore Mines, Gandhamardhan Iron Ore Mines, Daitari Iron Ore Mines, Roida Iron Ore Mines
9. M/s. Rungta Mines Pvt. Ltd. – Jojang Iron Ore Mines
10. M/s. Patnaik Minerals Pvt. Ltd. – Joribahal Iron Ore Mines
11. M/s. Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. – TRB Iron Ore Mines
12. M/s. D R Patnaik Pvt. Ltd. – Murgabeda Iron ore Mines
13. M/s. S L Sarda & M L Sarda – Thakurani Iron ore Mines
14. M/s. Kalinga Mining Corporation – Joruri Iron Ore & Manganese Mines

(Source :  CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD).