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Iron Ore:
- About: Iron ores are rocks and minerals containing metallic iron, extracted through various processes.
- Abundance in India: India boasts substantial reserves of iron ore, predominantly found in volcano-sedimentary Banded Iron Formations (BIF) dating back to the Precambrian era.
- Distribution in world: China, Brazil, Australia, India, Russia, Ukraine, the United States, South Africa, Canada, Sweden.
- Types: Haematite, Magnetite, Limonite, and Siderite.
- Magnetite: Prime Grade Ore: Magnetite stands out as a superior iron ore variant, possessing an exceptionally high iron content, often reaching up to 72%.
- Magnetic Properties: Magnetite’s remarkable magnetic properties make it particularly prized in applications within the electrical industry.
- Significance of Hematite: Although hematite ore slightly trails magnetite in iron content, it remains crucial in industrial usage due to its abundance.
- Uses: Iron ore finds its most prevalent applications in the manufacturing of steel and iron-based goods like nails, tools, and pipes. It serves a crucial function in fabricating machine components for various sectors, including automotive and aerospace industries.
India’s Iron Ore Mining Market:
- Global Ranking: India ranks as the world’s second-largest producer of iron ore, trailing behind Australia.
- Production Output: In 2023, India’s iron ore mine production reached a substantial 257.6 million tonnes (Mt).
- Projected Decline: Forecasts indicate a negative Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of over 1% for India’s iron ore production from 2024 to 2030.
- Major Iron Ore Belts in India: Orissa-Jharkhand belt, Durg-Bastar-Chandarpur belt, Bellary-Chitradurga-Chimaglur-Tumkur belt, and Maharashtra-Goa belt. Iron metal is the commonest of all minerals.
Why in News:
- A government-appointed panel has proposed setting up India’s first iron ore exchange to determine the domestic sale price of the key steelmaking raw material.
