1.3.2. Manganese

Manganese is a black hard iron like metal and is an important raw material for smelting of iron ore and also used for manufacturing ferrous alloys. It is also used for the manufacture of bleaching powder, insecticides, paints, glazed pottery, matches, batteries and china-clay. India

has second largest ore reserves in the world after Zimbabwe. Manganese deposits are found in almost all geological formations; however, it is mainly associated with Dharwar system. Odisha is the leading producer of Manganese. Major mines in Odisha are located in the central part of the iron ore belt of India, particularly in Bonai, Kendujhar, Sundergarh, Gangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi and Bolangir. Karnataka is another major producer and here the mines are located in Dharwar, Bellary, Belgaum, North Canara, Chikmagalur, Shimoga, Chitradurg and Tumkur. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Jharkhand are minor producers of manganese. India is the world’s fifth largest producer of manganese ore as over four-fifth of the total produce of manganese is consumed within the country. Japan is the largest buyer of Indian manganese accounting for about two-third of the total export.