Iron Ore Distribution : World and India

Iron ore is resources of metallic minerals. Iron ore is consider as the backbone for industrial growth of a nation. It is most widely used metal because of its qualities like hardness, strength and durability. Iron ore is the Foundation stone for developing basic industries and standard of living on the people of a country on the basis of consumption of iron ore.

Types of Iron Ore :

On the basis of purity and percentage of mineral content iron ore is founded in following four types ~

1. Hematite : It is source of highest grade iron ore. It contain upto 65% of metallic iron. It's reddish in colour.

2. Magnetite : It is also an important source. It contain 50 to 60% of metal content. It is black in colour.

3. Siderite : It has mostly impure. It is low grade iron ore. It contain about 48% metallic iron content in it. It is brown in colour.

4. Limonite : It is lowest grade iron ore. It  contains about 30 to 40% metallic iron in it. It is yellow in colour.

Distribution of Iron Ore : World :

The leading producer of iron ore is China and followed by Brazil, Australia, at the second and third respectively.

World's total iron ore production is 1,850,000,000 tonnesis located in China, North America, Eurasia, UK, Brazil, SA & India.

China : 

It  has largest production of iron ore in the world. Important iron producing regions of China are  the Sinkiang, Shandong, Anshan, Si-kiang.

Russia : 

It has one of the largest proven reserve of iron ore. The iron producing regions of Russia are the Ural region, Kuzkas region in Siberia, Angara and Krasnoyarsk, Magnitogorsk.

Brazil : 

Second largest producer of iron ore. The iron ore producing regions are Carajas, Itabira.

Europe :

 Northern Europe is an important region where good quality iron ore found. Major areas of iron ore mining  are Sweden, Germany, France, UK.

North America : 

The important iron ore mining areas are the Lake Superior region, Pittsburgh, Alabama, Utah, California, Duluth.

South America :

As we know that Brazil is one of leading producer of iron ore in the world, other regions of South America are also important for iron ore mining  are Venezuela, Chile, Peru.

Africa :

The major iron ore mining areas of Africa are Liberia, Mauritania, Algeria, Morocco, South Africa.

Australia : 

Third largest producer of iron ore in the world. It accounted 15.2% of total iron ore production in the world. The major regions are My. Goldsworthy, My. Bundey, Pilbara, Queensland.

Asia :

China is world's leading producer of iron ore. The Philippines has also good quality iron ore deposits in Mindanao.

Distribution of Iron Ore in India :

Chhotanagpur plateau of India is richest source of iron ore. India is one of the Important region for iron ore deposits, particularly the hematite ore. According to government data, 95% of the hematite resources distributed in Odisha, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Goa. Magnetite ore found mainly in Goa, Rajsthan & Jharkhand.

Iron Ore Reserves (in ascending order)

1. Chhattisgarh

2. Jharkhand

3. Odisha

4. Karnataka

Iron Ore Production (in ascending order)

1. Chhattisgarh

2. Karnataka

3. Goa

4. Odisha

In India, Iron ore is found in the following areas :

1. Karnataka :  Bellary (Hospet), Chikmagalur (Bababudan hills), Dharwar, Shimoga, and Tumkur districts.

2. Chhattisgarh : Bastar, Bilaspur, Durg, Raigarh, and Surguja district.

3. Odisha : Cuttack, Kalahandi, Kendujhar, Maturbhanj, Sambalpur, Sundergarh districts.

4. Goa : In north, south and central Goa. These are about 320 iron ore mining centres in Goa.

5. Jharkhand : Singhbhum, Palamu, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Santhal Pargana and Ranchi districts.

6. Madhya Pradesh : Balaghat and Jabalpur.

7. Maharashtra : Chandrapur & Ratnagiri districts.

There are many other regions for iron ore mining in India. It's develop weight loosing Industries  and created employment opportunities for the people at the cost of environmental damage.