Question

Name the three varieties of iron ore mined in India. Name one state where each is found.

Answer 1

Three varieties of iron ore found in India are:

1. Haematite: It has a reddish hue and is also called 'Red Ore'. Iron is found in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, with a purity of 60-70%.
2. Magnetite: The hue ranges from dark brown to blackish, earning it the name 'Black Ore'. This is the highest quality iron, containing over 70% iron. Magnetite is a term used to describe materials with magnetic properties. It's found in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
3. Limonite: It is yellow or light brown in hue and contains 35-50 per cent iron. This occurs in the Iron stone group of the Raniganj coalfield. It can be found in Garhwal (Uttarakhand), Mirzapur district (UP), and Kangra Valley (Himachal Pradesh).

Features of the iron ore deposits in India:

Iron ore reserves in India are located in areas producing coal, dolomite, limestone, and manganese. These are widely used in iron and steel factories. Iron ore reserves in Jharkhand and Odisha are located near coal fields and contain low sulphur concentrations. Due to their hilly nature, these deposits are easy to obtain.