India has a vast and varied mineral resource base. Among these, iron ore is one of the most significant minerals that contributes to the industrial development of the country. Which of the following iron ore belts is known for the highest concentration of high-grade hematite iron ore in India, and has played a major role in supporting the steel industry, especially the plants located in Jharkhand and Odisha?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Singhbhum Belt.
Explanation:
☛ The Singhbhum Belt (part of the Odisha-Jharkhand iron ore belt) contains the highest concentration of high-grade hematite iron ore in India.
☛ In Jharkhand, major iron ore mining centres are located in Noamundi, Gua, and Kiriburu in the West Singhbhum district.
☛ This belt extends into the adjacent Kendujhar (Keonjhar), Mayurbhanj, and Sundargarh districts of Odisha, with prominent mines like Badampahar and Gorumahisani.
☛ It serves as the primary raw material base for major integrated steel plants such as TISCO (Jamshedpur), Rourkela Steel Plant, and Bokaro Steel Plant.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt: Located in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra; includes the famous Bailadila range in Dantewada, known for super high-grade hematite exported to Japan and South Korea via Visakhapatnam Port.
☛ Bellary-Chitradurga Belt: Located in Karnataka; encompasses rich iron ore reserves including the Sandur hills and Kudremukh deposits.
☛ Maharashtra-Goa Belt: Includes the districts of Goa and Ratnagiri in Maharashtra; ore is of lower grade but efficiently exported through Marmagao Port.
☛ Types of Iron Ore: Magnetite is the finest iron ore with up to 70% iron content and excellent magnetic properties, while Hematite contains 50% to 60% iron and is the most widely used industrial iron ore in India.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ In which state is the famous Kudremukh iron ore deposit located? → Karnataka
☛ Which port primarily handles iron ore exports from the Bailadila mines? → Visakhapatnam Port
☛ Which variety of iron ore is known as 'brown ore' and has the lowest iron content? → Limonite
☛ Where was India's first modern integrated iron and steel plant (TISCO) established in 1907? → Sakchi (Jamshedpur)
☛ Which state is the largest producer of iron ore in India? → Odisha