1.4.2. Bauxite

Bauxite is an important ore and is used in making aluminium. Due to its lightness, strength, malleability, ductility, heat and electrical conductivity and resistance to atmospheric corrosion, aluminium has become one of the most useful metals in the present age. It is not specifically a mineral but a rock consisting mainly of hydrated aluminium oxides. Bauxite is found mainly in tertiary deposits and is associated with Laterite rocks occurring extensively either on the plateau or hill ranges of peninsular India and also in the coastal tracts of the country. India is self-sufficient in bauxite reserves. Kalahandi and Sambalpur in Odisha are the leading producers in the country. Jharkhand, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are other major producers. Bhavanagar, Jamnagar in Gujarat have the major deposits. Chhattisgarh has bauxite deposits in Amarkantak plateau while Katni-Jabalpur area and Balaghat in M.P. have important deposits of bauxite.