One of the most crucial minerals which has remained an economic driver of the Indian economy is iron ore. It is the raw material that goes into making steel. It is the backbone of India’s industry and the country cannot function without it.
In other words, iron ore is the flour to steel industry. It is essential to make the final product. But which Indian state is the largest producer of iron ore? Let’s find out
Which State is the Largest Producer of Iron Ore in India?
Odisha is the largest producer of iron ore in India. According to the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), over half of the total production of iron ore in the country is produced by Odisha. In the entire world, it has one of the richest deposits of iron ore in different locations.
The IBM Report states: “Among the States, Odisha recorded the highest production of 104.63 million tonnes, i.e., about 51.17% of the country’s total production in 2020-21.”
The biggest mining fields of Odisha are the Barbil in Keonjhar district and commonly referred to as the iron ore capital of India. The area is filled with huge government sector enterprises like NMDC, SAIL and OMDC.
The Directorate of Mines and Geology mentions: “Iron ore is abundantly available in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Jajpur.”
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What Exactly is Iron Ore?
Iron ore is a naturally found rock or mineral which contains metallic iron that can be extracted. It is usually found in the forms of oxides such as haematite and magnetite that are the most mined in India.
The most common iron ore that is mined in India is haematite. It is reddish colored and contains about 60-70 percent of iron and thus it is highly useful in making steel. Magnetite is the other which is more iron endowed, but less common in Indian deposits.
The IBM Report mentions: “Haematite and magnetite are the most important iron ores in India. About 79% haematite ore deposits are found in the Eastern Sector (Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha & Uttar Pradesh) while about 93% magnetite ore deposits occur in Southern Sector (Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu). Karnataka alone contributes 72% of magnetite deposit in India. Of these, haematite is considered to be superior because of its higher grade.”
Iron ore is not only used in the production of steel. It is further employed in the manufacture of cement, heavy machinery as well as being a raw material in a handful of chemical industries.
Iron Ore Production By State
Here is the list of the top iron ore producing states in India based on data from the Indian Bureau of Mines as per 2020-21:
| Rank | State | Production Share |
| 1 | Odisha | 51.17% |
| 2 | Chhattisgarh | 18.09% |
| 3 | Karnataka | 16.89% |
| 4 | Jharkhand | 10.48% |
| 5 | Madhya Pradesh | 2% |
Source: Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)
Odisha has emerged as the undisputed leader in the production of iron ore in India with over fifty percent of total production in the country. Odisha is abundantly endowed, with deposits, and possesses a well developed infrastructure of mining and proximity to ports.
The contributions of other states like Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Jharkhand ensures a robust iron ore supply chain in India. All these states form the steel industry backbone in India and drive the economic development of the country.
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