Iron Ores in India

DETAILED INFORMATION DOSSIER (DID) ON IRON ORE IN INDIA

CONTENTS

PART-I: GENERAL INFORMATION ON IRON ORES - INDIAN AND WORLD RESOURCES IN BRIEF

CHAPTER 1 GENERAL INFORMATION ON IRON ORES

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Uses

1.3 Commercial Grades And Specification

1.4 Market Price

CHAPTER 2 WORLD IRON ORE RESOURCES

CHAPTER 3 INDIAN RESOURCES

CHAPTER 4 PRODUCTION OF IRON ORE

4.1 World Scenario

4.2 Indian Scenario

4.3 Export Scenario of Iron Ore

CHAPTER 5 GEOLOGICAL SETTING, GENESIS AND DISTRIBUTION OF IRON ORE DEPOSITS

5.1 Geological Setting

5.2 Geological distribution and brief description of deposit

CHAPTER 6 FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR IRON ORE DEPOSITS IN INDIA

6.1 Demand of Iron Ore

6.2 Augmentation of iron ore

6.3 Optimum utilization of iron ore

PART-II: STATEWISE DISTRIBUTION AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IRON ORE DEPOSITS OF INDIA

CHAPTER 1 ANDHRA PRADESH

1.1 General Description

1.2 Districtwise Description of the Deposits

12.1 Khammam and Warangal Districts

1.2.2 East Godavari District

1.2.3 Anantapur District

1.2.4 Adilabad District

1.2.5 Cuddapah District

1.2.6 Karimnagar District

1.2.7 Kurnool District

1.2.8 Krishna District

1.2.9 Nellore District

1.2.10 Guntur District

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DID, IRON ORE, 2010 1

1.2.11 Prakasham District

1.2.12 Chittoor District

CHAPTER 2 ARUNACHAL PRADESH


CHAPTER 3 ASSAM



3.2.1 Goalpara District

3.2.2 Bongaigaon District

3.2.3 Kokrajhar District

CHAPTER 4 CHHATISGARH


4.2 Districtwise Distribution of the Deposits

4.2.1 Bastar District

4.2.2 Durg District

4.2.3 Deposits of Bordering area of Durg and Kanker Districts

4.2.4 Dantewara District

4.2.5 Kanker District

4.2.6 Raigarh District

CHAPTER 5 GOA

5.1 Geological Setting

5.2 Geological distribution and brief description of deposit


5.2 Description of the Individual Deposit on the Basis of Genetic Type

5.2.1 Bicholim-Pale Type

5.2.2 Sacorda-Pissurlem Type

5.2.3 Codli-Sigao Type

5.2.4 Costi-Quirlapale Type

5.2.5 Barazan-Viliena Type

5.2.6 Rivona-Columba-Canvorem Type

5.2.7 Netrolim-Camona Type

5.2.8 Betul-Nuem Type

5.2.9 Other Deposits

CHAPTER 6 HARYANA



6.2.1 Mahendragarh District

CHAPTER 7 HIMACHAL PRADESH


CHAPTER 8 JAMMU & KASHMIR



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8.2.1 Poonch District

8.2.2 Udhampur District

CHAPTER 9 JHARKHAND

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Districtwise Description of Deposits

9.2.1 Singhbhum District

9.2.2 Palamau District

9.2.3 Minor Occurrence in Jharkhand

CHAPTER 10 KARNATAKA


10.2 Districtwise Description of Banded Iron Formation

10.2.1 Bellari District

10.2.2 Chikmagalur District

10.2.3 Shimoga District

10.2.4 Chitradurga District

10.2.5 North Kanara District

10.2.6 Tumkur District

10.2.7 Bijapur District

10.2.8 South Kanara District

10.2.9 Dharwar District

10.2.10 Hassan District

10.2.11 Mandya District

10.2.12 Mysore District

10.2.13 Raichur District

10.3 Districtwise Description of Titaniferous and Vanediferous Magnetite Ore Deposits

10.3.1 Shimoga District

10.3.2 North Kanara District

10.3.3 Mandya District

CHAPTER 11 KERALA

11.1 Introduction


11.2.1 Calicut-Kojhikode Districts

11.2.2 Mallapuram District

11.2.3 Kottayam District

11.2.4 Palghat District

11.2.5 Quilon District

CHAPTER 12 MADHYA PRADESH

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Districtwise Description of Deposits

12.2.1 Jabalpur District

12.2.2. Chhatarpur District

12.2.3 Balaghat District

12.2.4 Dewas District

12.2.5 Dhar District

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12.2.6. Gird District

12.2.7 Betul District

12.2.8 Jhabua District

12.2.9 Nimor (Khandwa) District

12.2.10 Rajgarh District

12.2.11 Sagar District

12.2.12 Satna District

12.2.13 Sidhi District

12.2.14 Tikamgarh District

12.2.15 Gwalior District

12.2.16 Mandsaur District

12.2.17 Narsimhapur District

CHAPTER 13 MAHARASHTRA

13.1 Introduction


13.2.1 Sindhudurg District

13.2.2 Gadchiroli District

13.2.3 Chandrapur District

13.2.4 Bhandara District

13.2.5 Satara(N) District

CHAPTER 14 MEGHALAYA

14.1 Introduction


14.2.1 Jaintia Hill District

CHAPTER 15 NAGALAND

15.1 Introduction


15.2.1 Twensang District

CHAPTER 16 ORISSA

16.1 Introduction


16.2.1 Keonjhar District

16.2.2 Sundargarh District

16.2.3 Jajpur District

16.2.4 Nawarangpur District

16.2.5 Mayurbhanj District

16.2.6 Sambalpur District

CHAPTER 17 RAJASTHAN

17.1 Introduction


17.2.1 Jaipur District

17.2.2 Jhunjhunu District

17.2.3 Sikar District

17.2.4 Udaipur District

17.2.5 Bundi and Bhilwara Districts

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17.2.6 Jodhpur District

17.2.7 Bharatpur District

17.2.8 Alwar District

CHAPTER 18 TAMIL NADU

18.1 Introduction


18.2.1 Salem and Tiruchirapally Districts

18.2.2 Dharampuri District

18.2.3 South Arcot and North Arcot Districts

18.2.4 Niligiri District

CHAPTER 19 UTTAR PRADESH

19.1 Introduction


19.2.1 Mirzapur District

CHAPTER 20 WEST BENGAL

20.1 Introduction


20.2.1 Burdwan District

20.2.2 Birbhum District

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PART-I

GENERAL INFORMATION ON IRON ORES : INDIAN AND WORLD RESOURCES IN BRIEF

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CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ON IRON ORES

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Iron is the second most abundant metallic element in the Earth’s crust and accounts for

5.6% of the lithosphere. The principal minerals of iron are the oxides (haematite and

magnetite), hydroxide (limonite and goethite), carbonate (siderite) and sulphide (pyrite).

Iron, like most metals, is found in the Earth's crust only in the form of an ore, i.e., combined

with other elements such as oxygen or sulfur. Haematite and magnetite are the two

important iron ores from which iron is extracted. Of these, haematite is considered to be

superior owing to its high grade.

It is the basic raw material for iron and steel industry. Steel is an alloy that consists mostly

of iron and has carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade.

Iron is extracted from ore by removing oxygen and combining the ore with a preferred

chemical partner such as carbon. This process is known as smelting. Since the oxidation

rate itself increases rapidly beyond 800 °C, it is important that smelting take place in a low-

oxygen environment. Smelting results in an alloy (pig iron) containing too much carbon to be

called steel. The excess carbon and other impurities are removed in a subsequent step.

Other materials are often added to the iron/carbon mixture to produce steel with desired

properties. Nickel and manganese in steel add to its tensile strength and make austenite

more chemically stable, chromium increases hardness and melting temperature and

vanadium also increases hardness while reducing the effects of metal fatigue. To prevent

corrosion, at least 11% chromium is added to steel so that a hard oxide forms on the metal

surface; this is known as stainless steel. Tungsten interferes with the formation of cementite,

allowing martensite to form with slower quench rates, resulting in high speed steel. On the

other hand, sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorus make steel more brittle, so these commonly

found elements must be removed from the ore during processing.

Iron has found its usage from a very early part of human civilization, second only to copper-

bronze. Steel was known in antiquity, and may have been produced by managing

bloomeries, iron-smelting facilities, where the bloom contained carbon. The earliest known

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production of steel is a piece of ironware excavated from an archaeological site in Anatolia

(Kaman-Kalehoyuk ) and is about 4,000 years old. Other ancient steel comes from East

Africa, dating back to 1400 BC. In the 4th century BC steel weapons like the Falcata were

produced in the Iberian Peninsula, while Noric steel was used by the Roman military. The

Chinese of the Warring States (403–221 BC) had quench-hardened steel, while Chinese of

the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) created steel by melting together wrought iron with

cast iron, gaining an ultimate product of a carbon-intermediate steel by the 1st century AD.

Evidence of the earliest production of high carbon steel in the Indian Subcontinent was

found in Samanalawewa area in Sri Lanka Wootz steel was produced in India by about 300

BC. Along with their original methods of forging steel, the Chinese had also adopted the

production methods of creating Wootz steel, an idea imported into China from India by the

5th century AD. During the early part of the civilization, India was an important trade centre

of iron smelting which dates back to about 3000 years. Documentary evidences suggests

making of various surgical instruments using iron as one of the constituent in 3rd/4th century

BC.

Since the 17th century the first step in modern steel production has been the smelting of

iron ore into pig iron in a blast furnace. Originally using charcoal, modern methods use coke,

which has proven to be a great deal cheaper. With the invention of the Bassemer processes

of iron extraction in 1856 and the Basic Open Hearth Process in 1878, the scenario

changed. These developments led to significant increase in the world production of steel

(which consumes the major share of iron) from 0.5million tones in 1870 to 28 million tones in

1900.The modern smelter for iron ore in India was found in 1877 using the ironstone

nodules associated with the Gondwanas of the coal field. The discovery of iron ore deposit

in 1904 heralded the industrial revolution. TISCO started producing pig iron in 1911 and

steel in 1912. Even today India is one of the leading producers of iron and steel in the

world. India has large resources of iron ore as well as population that could consume steel

in large quantities. Other iron rich nations are Brazil, Australia, Russia, China and Ukraine

etc.

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1.2 USES Iron ore is used mainly for making pig iron, sponge iron and steel. Iron and steel together

form the largest manufactured products in the world and each of them enters into every

branch of industry and is a necessary factor in every phase of our modern civilization. It is

used widely in the construction of roads, railways, other infrastructure, appliances, and

buildings. Most large modern structures, such as stadiums and skyscrapers, bridges, and

airports, are supported by a steel skeleton. Even those with a concrete structure will employ

steel for reinforcing. In addition to widespread use in major appliances and cars, despite

growth in usage of aluminum, it is still the main material for car bodies. Steel is used in a

variety of other construction materials, such as bolts, nails, and screws. Other common

applications include shipbuilding, pipeline transport, mining, offshore construction,

aerospace, heavy equipment such as bulldozers, office furniture, steel wool, tools, and

armour in the form of personal vests or vehicle armour (better known as rolled

homogeneous armour in this role).

Pure iron has relatively few specialized uses. Ingot iron is galvanized for roofing, siding and

tanks. In the form of corrugated pipe it is used for culverts. Because of its relatively high

purity it is suited to oxy-acetylene welding, both as material to be welded and as welding

rod. It is used in vitreous enameling. Its good ductility makes it suitable for deep drawing

operation as in the manufacture of appliance parts e.g. washing machine tub, relatively low

electrical resistance and high magnetic permeability lead to its use in many types of

electrical equipments, generator fields, magnetic parts of relays, magnetic brakes and

clutches. Iron ore is also used in ferro-alloy, cement, foundry, vanaspati and glass factories.

1.3 COMMERCIAL GRADES AND SPECIFICATION

Haematite is the main iron ore which is extensively used for manufacture of iron and steel in

India. The chemical analysis grade of different varieties of iron ore is given in Table 1.3.1

while table 1.3.2 summarizes the mineralogical characteristics.

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Table 1.3.1: Grade of different types of iron ore

Sl no Type of ore

Values Fe%

SiO2%

Al2O3%

Cut off

1. Hard laminated ore Minimum Maximum Average

62.16 64.81 63.92

0.05 1.46 0.48

2.69 4.59 3.58

Fe-55%

2. Soft laminated/ Powdery ore

Blue dust

Minimum Maximum Average

56.37 62.67 60.08

0.14 5.00 2.77

3.76 7.53 5.94

Fe-55%

3. Ferruginous shale/ lateritic

ore (Sub grade)

Minimum Maximum Average

62.12 69.16 64.60

0.14 1.60 0.78

1.02 6.76 4.18

Fe-55%

4. ----- ------ 45.85 54.61 48.50

6.38 11.72 8.57

11.73 22.61 17.50

Fe-45%

Table 1.3.2: Mineralogical Characteristics of haematite ores

Ore Type Iron bearing minerals Gangue minerals

Other features

Massive Haematite, goethite, martite and magnetite

Quartz, clay Steel grey in colour, Sp.Gr. >5, high crushing strength

Laminated Haematite, goethite, limonite

Clay, gibbsite, quartz, chert

Laminated structure Sp. Gr: 4.2-4.7

Lateriritc Goethite, limonite, haematite, ochre

Clay, gibbsite, silica

Dull luster, rich in alumina, friable nature

Blue dust Haematite, goethite Quartz, clay Generally blue/dark black or cherty red in colour, powdery form, low alumina

With the iron and steel industries are becoming increasingly conscious about the need for

improving productivity, the approach is towards obtaining cleaner ore with higher Fe content

having least gangue and of homogeneous & consistent quality. The specifications of iron

ore demanded by coal and gas based plants for manufacture of different type of iron is

given in Table 1.3.3.

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Table 1.3.3: Specifications of iron ore for sponge iron manufacturer

Chemical specifications

Fe% (min)

SiO2% (max)

Al2O3% (max)

P% (max)

S% (max)

Size (in mm)

Coal Based 65 4.5 0.02 - - 5-18

Gas Based 66 3.0 0.02 0.04 0.01 6-20

The quality of iron ore required for different iron making processes is given in Table 1.3.4

Table- 1.3.4: Specifications of iron ores for different processes

Direct Reduction Route Characteristics Corex Blast Furnace Midrex Hyl. Rotary Kiln

Physical size mm 10-30 6-30 /40 6-35 6-25 6-20

% - 6.3 mm -- 5.0 max 5.0 max 2.0 max 2.0 max

Tumbler Index (% + 6.3mm) 80-85 80.0 min 90.0 min 85.0 min 90.0 min

Abrasion Index (% - 0.5mm) 7.0 max 10.0 max 7.0 max 10.0 max 7.0 max

Shatter Index (% + 10mm)

95.0 min 90.0 min 95.0 min 90.0 min 95.0 min

Chemical Total iron

65.0 min

62-65 min

67.0 min

65.5 min

64.0 min

Gangue %(SiO2+Al2O3) 4.0 max 6.0 max 3.2 max 2.2 max 4.0 max

Sulphur % 0.004 max 0.01 max 0.015 max - 0.01 max

Phosphorous % 0.08 max 0.05 max 0.015 max 0.02 max 0.04 max

Alkali % - 0.02-0.04 0-15 max 0.10 max

LOI % 2.0 max 1.5 max 1.5 max

Metallurgical Reaction and degradation Index

25 max

35 max

5 max

5max

7 max

The typical compositions of cast iron are given in the following table 1.3.5. The different

grades of pig iron depend upon their contents of silicon, sulphur, phosphorus and

manganese.

TABLE 1.3.5: TYPICAL COMPOSITION OF CAST IRON

Composition White Iron Malleable Iron Grey Iron Ductile Iron

Carbon Wt% 1.8 – 3.6 2.0 – 3.0 2.5 – 3.8 3.2 – 4.2

Silicon Wt% 0.5 – 2.0 0.6 – 1.3 1.1 – 2.8 1.1 – 3.5

Manganese Wt% 0.2 – 0.8 0.2 – 0.6 0.4 – 1.0 0.3 – 0.8

Phosphorous Wt% 0.18 0.15 0.15 0.08

Sulphur Wt% 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.02

Source: IBM Monograph on Iron Ores (1998)

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1.4. Market Price: Prices are influenced not only by the intrinsic prices of the ore (base price) but also by

freight rates. Freight rate demonstrates a more volatile behaviour to the basic price of the

ore. The prices of the iron ores of different grades during the period from 2003-04 to 2007-

08 are given below in Table No.1.4.1

TABLE 1.4.1: PRICES OF IRON ORE (DOMESTIC MARKET) 2003-2008 PER TONNE Grades Market 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

Lumps 63/63% Fe Lumps 60/59% Fe

FOBT Marmango (Berth) Goa

USD 17.39 14.67

20.63 17.40

35.88 29.84

42.10 35.51

46.10 38.89

Fines 63/63% Fe Fines 62/62% Fe

-do- 15.18 14.74

18.01 17.48

30.88 29.99

36.75 35.68

40.24 39.07

Lumps + 65% Fe 62-65% Fe

FOBT Noamundi/ Jharkhand

Rs 335 (avg)

1020 NA

2317 997

2888 1779

3730 2415

Source: Indian Minerals year book, IBM

CHAPTER 2: WORLD IRON ORE RESOURCES

The world reserve base of crude iron is estimated to be 370 billion tonnes (USGS Mineral

commodity summary, 2008). The reserve base of iron content of iron ore is estimated to be

around 160 billion tonnes. USGS has also estimated that the world resources are estimated

to exceed 800 billion tonnes of crude ore containing more than 230 billion tonnes of iron.

Iron ore deposits are distributed in different regions of the world under varied geological

conditions and in different geological formations. The largest concentration of ore is found in

banded sedimentary iron formations of Precambrian age. These formations constitute the

bulk of world iron ore resources. The top ten countries in the world in the order of their iron

resources were the Common-wealth of Independent States (erstwhile USSR), Australia,

Canada, USA, Brazil, India, South Africa, China, Sweden and Venezuela. Ranking of iron

ore producing countries was the Commonwealth of Independent States, China, Brazil,

Australia, USA, India, Sweden, Canada, South Africa and Venezuela.

The world reserve base of crude iron ore by principal countries is given in Table 2.1

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Table 2.1: World resources of iron ore by Principal countries Qty: Million tonnes

Crude ore Iron content

Reserve Reserve base Reserve Reserve base

United States 6900 15000 2100 4600

Australia 15000 45000 8900 28000

Brazil 23000 27000 16000 14000

Canada 1700 3900 1100 2500

China 21000 46000 7000 15000

India 6600 9800 4200 6200

Iran 1800 2500 1000 1500

Kazakhstan 8300 19000 3300 7400

Mauritania 700 1500 400 1000

Mexico 700 1500 400 900

Russia 25000 56000 14000 31000

South Africa 1000 2300 650 1500

Sweden 3500 7800 2200 5000

Ukraine 30000 68000 9000 20000

Venezuela 4000 6000 2400 3600

Other countries 11000 30000 6200 17000

World Total (rounded)

160,000

37,000

79,000

160,000

Source: U.S.Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2008

CHAPTER 3: INDIAN RESOURCES

India is endowed with huge resource base of 25.24 billion tonnes of iron ore. Hematite and

magnetite combined together; ‘Reserves (111, 121, 122)’ being at 7.06 billion tonnes and

‘Remaining resources (211,221,222, 331, 332, 333 & 334)’ at 18.18 billion tonnes. Of the

total reserve base of 7.06 billion tonnes, hematite accounts for 7.0 billion tonnes and

magnetite at 0.60 billion tonnes.

The reserves and resources estimated by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) in different period is

presented in Table- 3.1:

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Table 3.1: Reserves and Resources of Iron ore in India

Iron Ore Resources As on 1980

Resources As on 1990



Hematite 11,469 12,197 a. Reserves: 6025 a. Reserves: 7004

Proved (111): 4421 Proved (111): 4945

Probable (121): 828 Probable: (122): 774

Probable (121): 995 Probable: (122): 1063

b. Remaining resources (331, 332, 333,334): 5400

b. Remaining resources (331, 332, 333,334): 7626

Total: 11,425 Total: 14630 +

Magnetite 6,095 10,590 a. Reserves: 286 a. Reserves: 58

b. Remaining Resources: 10,396


Total: 10,682 Total: 10,619 +

Total 17,564 22,787 a. Reserves: 6,311 a. Reserves:7062



Total: 23,588 Total: 25,249

As per UNFC system as on 1.4.2005, India possesses total haematite resources of 14,630

million tonnes of which 7,004 million tonnes are reserves and 7,626 million tonnes are

remaining resources. Major haematite resources are located mainly in Jharkhand-4036

million tonnes (28%), Orissa-4761 million tonnes (33%), Chattisgarh-2731 million tonnes

(19%), Karnataka-1676 million tonnes (11%) and Goa-713 million tonnes (5%). The balance

resources are spread over the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh,

Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Assam and altogether contain around 4% of haematite (Table

3.2).

Magnetite is the other principal iron ore occurring in the form of oxide which is either of

magmatic origin or metamorphosed banded magnetite silica formation, possibly chemogenic

sedimentary origin. The magnetite resources are placed at 10,619 million tonnes of which

only 58 million tonnes constitute reserves, located mainly in Goa. A major share of

magnetite resources is located in Karnataka- 7812 million tonnes (74%), Andhra Pradesh-

1464 million tonnes (14%), Rajasthan-527 million tonnes & Tamil Nadu-482 million tonnes

(5% each), and Goa-214 million tonnes (2%). Assam, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Bihar, Madhya

Pradesh and Maharashtra together account for a meager share of magnetite resources. The

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most important magnetite deposits are located in Babubadan, Kudremukh, Bellary,

Anadurga and Bangarkal areas of Karnataka, Goa region - Ongole and Guntur dist. of

Andhra Pradesh etc. Other deposits are also located in Jharkhand , Bihar, Tamilnadu,

Kerala and Assam. (Source: IBM, Nagpur).

Table 3.2: Resources of iron ore (haematite) in the major producing states in 2000 and

2005

As on 1.4.2000

(in million tonnes)

As on 1.4.2005

(in million tones)

Andhra Pradesh 140.01 163.03

Chhattisgarh 2120.02 2736.78

Goa 642.11 712.94

Jharkhand 3044.45 4035.74

Karnataka 1148.32 1676.22

Madhya Pradesh 200.65 204.93

Maharashtra 270.70 265.35

Orissa 3789.39 4760.62

The grade-wise and state-wise category-wise reconcilable reserves of haematite and

magnetite are shown in the table 3.3.

Table - 3.3: Reserves of iron ore (haematite and magnetite) (by grades and states) (In million tonnes)

States/ Grade Recoverable Reserves (as on 1-4-2005)

Proved Probable Remaining Resources

Total

HAEMATITE

Total 4945 2059 7626 14630

By grades

Lump high grade 537 276 396 1209

Lump medium grade 1183 489 1887 3559

Lump low grade 471 678 899 1438

Lump unclassified 8 9 294 311

Fines high grade 146 98 107 351

Fines medium grade 1071 440 1084 2595

Fines low grade 965 131 539 1635

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Fines unclassified 17 5 164 186

Lumps and fines high grade 213 33 127 373

Lumps and fines medium grade 171 189 92 452

Lumps and fines low grade 118 236 248 602

Lumps and fines unclassified 40 80 285 405

Blue dust NA NA NA NA

Black iron ore NA 2 13 15

Others 0.7 0.9

Unclassified 2 NA NA 2

Not known 0.02 0.7 1487 1487

By States

Andhra Pradesh 25 15 123 163

Bihar - - 55 55

Chhattisgarh 570 190 1970 2730

Goa 268 191 254 713

Jharkhand 2237 257 1541 4035

Karnataka 465 475 736 1676

Madhya Pradesh 21 13 171 205

Maharashtra 10 4 251 265

Orissa 1341 911 2509 4761

Rajasthan 7 4 19 30

Magnetite

Total 14 44 10561 10619

By grades

Metallurgical 0.4 0.2 2185 2186

Coal Washery 0.01 3 5 8

Foundry 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.7

Others 0.2 0.7 24 25

Unclassified 13 39 8060 8112

Not known 0.3 0.1 286 286

By States

Andhra Pradesh NA NA 1463 1463

Bihar/Jharkhand 0.01 3 9 12

Goa 11 39 164 214

Karnataka NA NA 7811 7811

Madhya Pradesh NA NA NA NA

Maharashtra 0.5 0.1 NA 0.6

Orissa NA 0.2 0.05 0.2

Rajasthan 3 1 522 526

Tamil Nadu NA NA 481 481

NA: not available

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CHAPTER 4: PRODUCTION OF IRON ORE

4.1 World Scenario World iron ore market has witnessed a healthy growth in last couple of years with rise in

Chinese steel production to meet its ever expanding demand. The International Iron and

Steel Institute (IISI) has predicted the world consumption of iron ore at 763 million tonnes in

2005. During 1980-88, the global iron ore market came down heavily on the reason of

imbalance in supply and demand for the ore. But towards end of 1988, the world economy

started recovering with sign of strong growth of iron ore production as noticed from 1993

onwards. Iron ore mining industry recorded an all time high till the end of 2007 when the

global recession severely restricted its growth affecting mining consumption and export.

Three largest companies viz., CVRD, Rio Tinto and BHP-Billiton together control about 30%

of global production.

Among the iron ore producing countries, China (25%), Brazil (18%), Austrialia (14.5%), India

(7%) and USA (6%) are the principal producers constituting about 70% of the world the

production. World production of iron ore is given in Table4.1a and by the principal countries

in the world in the (table No.4.1b).

Table 4.1a: World Production of Iron Ore (in Million tonnes) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 1085 1059 1104 1232 1370 1544 1826 2043

Source : World Mineral Statistics.

Table 4.1b: World Production by the principal countries (in million tonnes)

Country 2004 2005 2006 2007

World Total 1370 1569 1826 2043

Australia 234 262 275 299

Brazil 262 281 318 355

Canada 29 28 34 33

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China 310 421 588 707

India 146 165 181 204

Iran 18 26 32 35

Kazakstan 20 19 18 20

Russia 95 97 104 105

South Africa 39 40 41 42

Sweden 22 23 23 25

Ukrain 66 69 74 78

USA 55 54 53 52

Venezuela 19 21 22 23

Other Countries 55 63 63 65

Source: World Mineral production 2003-07

4.2 Indian Scenario

India is an important producer of iron ore in the world contributing more than 7% of the

production and ranking fourth in terms of quantity produced following China, Brazil, and

Australia. Iron ore production is around 181 million tonnes in 2006-07 growing by 9.5 per

cent over the previous year. The share of lumps in total iron ore production has been about

40 % with the rest being accounted for by fines and concentrates. The share of lumps in

total iron ore varies across the states depending on the quality of the deposits, operating

practices followed and the commercial judgment of the miners. The iron ore quality varies in

production according to its Fe content based grade – with 83.7 % of the total production

having Fe content of 62 % and above. Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Goa

are the major iron ore producing states in India. About 22.7 % of the total production was

from captively held mines with rest coming from merchant mines. Increase in production

have come almost entirely from the existing mines and more so from those in the private

non-captive sector. Increase in iron ore production from captive mines was small. Captive

mines recorded only 21.6 % growth in output during 2002-03 – 2006-07 compared to 109 %

in the case of non captive mines. Iron ore production growth has been lower in the public

sector at 39 % in the last six years compared to 223 % recorded in the private sector.

_________________________________________________________________________


Increase in iron ore production has mainly been driven by export demand and consequent

increases in the prices of the same in the international market. The sector accounts for

about 2.8 per cent of the country’s GDP. India started exporting iron ore after the second

world war, particularly to meet the ever expanding requirement of the Japanese steel mills.

New areas such as Bellary-Hospet and Chitradurga in Karnataka, Kiriburu in Jharkhand and

Bailadilla were developed post World War II period to meet the requirements of Japanese,

South Korean and Taiwanese steel mills. The Indian iron ore industry has been resilient to

the changes in domestic and international demands. A brief account of the Total production

of iron ores in India in terms of types is given in Table 4.2.1 and by principal states in Table

4.2.2

Table 4.2.1: Production of Iron Ore, in MT

2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

Total 122.84 145.94 165.23 187 206

Lumps 48.96 58.15 68.30 88 92

Fines 67.68 82.54 96.90 98 114

Concentrates 6.20 5.25 3.61 1 0.6 Source: Indian Mineral Year Book, IBM

Table 4.2.1: Production of Iron ore by Principal states (Lumps+Fines), in MT

States 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

Andhra Pradesh 2.81 4.15 5 9

Chhattisgarh 23.12 26.08 28 31

Goa 22.67 24.03 29 29

Jharkhand 16.72 17.98 18.60 21

Karnataka 37.96 39.84 40.70 45

Madhya Pradesh 0.21 0.46 1.21 2

Maharashtra 0.67 0.52 0.50 0.6

Orissa 41.75 52.15 64.10 68

Rajasthan 0.03 0.018 0.017 0.01

Source: Indian Mineral Year Book, IBM

_________________________________________________________________________


4.3 EXPORT SCENARIO OF IRON ORE

India has one of the largest iron ore reserves in the world. During 2005-06 India

produced 147.27 million tonnes of iron ore. Out of this only 58 million tonnes were used for

domestic consumption and the rest was exported. China is the main importer of iron ore

from India and in fact India's exports (of iron ore) to China alone are far in excess of its

domestic consumption. Iron ores are exported under long term agreements (LTA). The

government entered into LTA with Japanese Steel Mills, POSCO, South Korea and Chinese

Steel Mills for export of iron ores for a period of five years. The private sector companies do

not require permission of the government to export iron ore with iron content less than 64

per cent. However, such companies who own mines are allowed to export iron ore fines

having iron content of 64 per cent and above after meeting requirements of domestic

consumers and the MMTC Ltd.

CHAPTER 5: GEOLOGICAL SETTING, GENESIS AND DISTRIBUTION OF IRON ORE

DEPOSITS

5.1 GEOLOGICAL SETTING

India has large reserves of good quality iron ore. These iron ores occur in different

geological rock groups/ formations in different time domains but the largest concentration of

economic deposits are found associated with volcano-sedimentary Banded Iron Formation

(BIF) of Precambrian age. The BIF, mainly comprising of banded haematite quartzite /

banded haematite jasper (BHQ/ BHJ) contains iron in the range of 25 – 40%. By supergene

enrichment, the iron content of this BHQ/BHJ has in many places gone up to about 55 –

+65% making them very good quality ore. Magnetite dominant deposits are generally

associated with banded magnetite quartzite (BMQ) and contain about 25 – 40% iron. These

magnetite ores are often utilized by appropriate beneficiation making the ores suitable for

the consumer industries.

_________________________________________________________________________


Genetic Type

On the basis of mode of occurrence and origin, the iron ore deposits of India are divided into

five groups; viz. Banded Iron Ore Formation, Sedimentary iron ore deposits of sideritic and

limonitic composition, Lateritic ores derived from sub-aerial alteration of gneiss, schists etc.,

Titaniferous and Vanadiferous magnetite deposits and Fault and fissures filling deposits.

Amongst these the larger deposits are from the Banded iron ore formation of Precambrian

age followed by Titaniferous and Vanadiferous magnetite deposits.

(i) Banded Iron Formation of Precambrian Age:

The BIF deposit is very well developed in India. Most of the Indian deposits are similar to

those of Lake Superior regions of USA, Brazil, Venezuela. Extensive outcrops of BIF are

found in the states of Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhatisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa and

Tamil Nadu. The most common names used in India to designate BIF are Banded

Haematite Quartzite (BHQ) and Banded Magnetite Quartzite (BMQ). In other parts of the

world, names like taconite (Lake Superior), itabirite (Brazil), jaspilite (Western Australia) and

calico rocks (South Africa) have been in use to designate BIF. In recent years BIF has come

to be generally acceptable both as field term as well as stratigraphic term to designate iron

rich sedimentary rock.

Classification of BIF

Gross (1965) distinguished two main types of iron formations from pre-Cambrian viz.

Algoma and Superior. The Algoma type is dominantly Archean in age and characterized by

thin banding and absence of oolitic and granular texture, limited in lateral extent and closely

associated with volcanic rocks and gray sediments. Carbon and pyrite rich black shales are

common. The superior type on the other hand has the characteristic formation of the

Proterozoic and is laterally very extensive and closely associated with clastic sediments like

quartzite and pelitic rocks without showing any direct relationship with volcanic associations.

_________________________________________________________________________


The most common occurrence of banded iron ore formations of India are:

a. Archaean schist belts: Jharkhand, Orissa, Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Goa (high grade

deposits)

b. Granulite terrain of South India: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

The BIF of of Archaean schist belt generally possesses the characteristics of both Algoma

and Superior types. In Granulite terrains BIF is a weakly banded magnetite- quartzite

forming part of a supracrustal sequence of quartzites, mica schists, marbles, metavolcanics

and amphibolites completely engulfed in a voluminous mass of a tonalitic gneiss. The

formation is highly folded and metamorphosed under granulite facies condition. Typical

examples are iron formation from the granulite regions of South India (Tamil Nadu, parts of

Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala) that is different from those of the Archaean schist

belt.

Thus the iron ore formation within the Indian shield can be divided into two main types: (i)

those lying within the high grade region and (ii) those confined to Archaean schist belt.

Among these, the first type occurs as narrow, highly deformed and metamorphosed belt

within Archean granulites and gneisses and represents formation of an older age group

(>3000 My.) formed in distinct tectonic environment and later incorporated within high grade

mobile belt. The second and the more extensive type having characteristic of both Algoma

and Superior type, is the one confined to the schist belts formed during the period 2900-

2600 Ma. This type of deposits is confined to states of Jharkhand, Orissa, Karnataka,

Maharashtra, Chhattishgarh and Goa. These form important repositories of rich iron ore

deposits in India.

Origin of BIF

The origin of BIF is a controversial aspect on which no final opinion has been possible

despite years of study in different parts of the world. However it is considered that larger and

ore widespread deposits are of sedimentary origin. The volcanic nature of the period during

which Archaean iron formation was accumulated has also been recognized (e.g. Isua

_________________________________________________________________________


Formation). A controlling factor was probably the composition of ocean water during

Archean. The E h and p H of ocean water were significantly different from those of later

years.

One view is that iron formation was deposited in shallow inland lakes, fresh water being

considered as a more likely vehicle for transportation of silica & iron from crust similar to

present day lateritic crust. Period of intense deposition was preceded by a long period of

accumulation of dissolved iron and silica in sedimentary basin. Another view is that iron

formation is essentially a product of diagenetic replacement of primary carbonate. Although

there are evidence of replacement but the process can not account for vast amount of iron

in iron formation. The character of late Archean – early Proterozoic atmosphere is also

taken into consideration for origin of BIF. The atmosphere at that time is believed to have

been rich in carbon dioxide, nitrogen and deficient in oxygen. Vast quantities of iron thus get

stored at in ocean and lakes. Later on when life first appeared photosynthetic release of

bulk oxygen became possible. This oxygen combined with dissolved iron and precipitated it

giving rise to iron rich band. But once the dissolved iron was used up there was no further

formation of iron. But iron formation as old as 3000 Ma indicates that the build of oxygen in

hydrosphere took place much earlier. The destructive chemical composition shown by iron

formation restricted mainly to iron and silica to the exclusion of other metallic compounds

and origin of uniform banding can not be explained through inorganic chemical precipitation

alone.

There are diverse views and concepts of different workers on the origin of BIF. The existing

knowledge about the BIF appears not adequate to build a satisfactory theory of origin.

Therefore, a single mode of origin for all BIF cannot be thought of.

Characteristics of Ore of BIF Type

The BIF has given rise to vast accumulations of commercial grade iron ore deposits in India,

more than 90% of the iron ore supplied to the industry comes from the BIF. The major ore

minerals are haematite and magnetite. To assess the resource potentiality of an iron ore

_________________________________________________________________________


deposit knowledge of various physical types of ore which are exploited commercially is of

utmost importance. The different types of iron ore derived from banded haematite rock met

within the deposits of this group are

(i) Massive ores: Massive and compact ore, generally formed by replacement

processes - are dark brown to steel grey, compact ore containing 68-70% Fe. They

may form high grade float type deposits when naturally transported and accumulated.

(ii) Laminated ore: generally formed as residual product of selective chemical leaching -

are soft, friable, porous in nature and contain 55-60% Fe. They are also called

'biscuity ore'.

(iii) Shaly ore: are generally met at depth and as the name implies shows structure and

texture like that of shale. They may be rich in iron (+ 60% Fe) or or Fe may be as low

as 40% with high Si02 and Al203 content, and require beneficiation (washing) before

being fed to the furnace.

(iv) Powdery ores (Blue dust) are soft, porous ores, disintegrate into powder or into

very small thin slabs and occur as fairly large pockets. They appear grey-blue and

contain 66-69% Fe, but require beneficiation (sintering) before feeding to blast

furnace.

In addition float ore accumulation on the slopes and foot of the hills as a result of

disintegration of in situ ore bodies are commonly met with. The float ores are of different

sizes and of different degree of purity.

(ii) Sedimentary iron ore deposits of siderite and limonitic composition:

These ores are also known as Bog iron deposit. These ores of siderite and limonitic

compositions are found associated with the iron stone shales of lower Gondwana age

occurring in the coal fields of Jharkhand and West Bengal and the ferruginous beds in the

Tertiary formations of Assam and the Himalayas due to hydration, the sideritic ore often

changed to limonite stone near the surface. They are heterogeneous in grade and modes of

occurrences. The iron minerals are accumulated as irregular bodies in stream beds and

_________________________________________________________________________


typically at the bottom levels of bogs and marshes where lower Gondwana sediments have

deposited along with their organic debris. In upper Assam such deposits occur in Lakhimpur

and Sibsagar districts and are mainly of two types: clay iron stone and impure limonite.

In Ranigunj area the sedimentary iron ores occur in the form of thin beds of ironstone of

variable thickness and frequently in the Ironstones shale Group of the Damuda series in

Ranigunj Coalfield. The ore is grey iron carbonate but near the surface it has been

converted into brown hydrated oxide. Clay iron stones are also known to occur in the

Karanpura and Auranga Coal fields.

(iii) Laterite ores derived from the sub-aerial alterations:

Laterite types of iron ores are derived from the sub-aerial alteration of rocks, such as

gneisses, schists, basic lava etc. under humid tropical conditions. Some of the laterites of

suitable composition may become exploitable ore but most of them contain too little of iron

and too much of alumina along with other elements like titanium, nickel, chromium and

manganese. The ores are generally concentrated at the top as a resultant alteration product

of the iron bearing parent rocks and consist of oxidised and insoluble rock constituents.

They may consist of nodular red, yellow or brownish haematite and goethite. The capping is

usually thicker over the basic rocks which contain high concentration of primary iron

associated with nickel, chromium, manganese and titanium. Large stretches of Deccan

Traps, the gneisses in the Western Ghats and the Chhotanagpur plateau in Jharkhand and

the schistose rocks of many areas like those of Sandur are covered by such lateritic tops.

(iv) Ores formed by magmatic activity:

A zone of apatite-magnetite rock is found closely associated with the copper belt of

Singhbhum. These are supposed to have been formed by magmatic activity associated with

pre-Cambrian diastrophic cycle when the rocks of the shear zone were thrust and intruded

by acid or intermediate igneous rocks. The rock is usually a mixture of apatite and magnetite

with some biotite, chlorite and sub-ordinate quartz and is generally found on the hanging-

wall side of copper lodes. The apatite magnetite ores are associated with granodiorite.

_________________________________________________________________________


(v) Titaniferous and vanadiferous magnetites:

The vanadiferous-titaniferous magnetite deposits of south eastern Singhbhum (Jharkhand),

Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar (Orissa) and Hassan districts (Karnataka) are associated with

gabbroid and ultrabasic rocks. This type of ore of Jharkhand and Orissa occurs as thin

veins, lenses and pockets in gabbroid and ultrabasic igneous rocks which are often altered

to serpentine and steatite or to epidiorite. Both magnetite and ilmenite are present in these

ores and in many cases, appreciable amounts of haematite are also seen. In Karnataka

small lenses-like bodies of titaniferous magnetites occur in Tumkur district. These are

generally associated with ultramafic rocks which occasionally contain chromite also. These

deposits contain 55 to 61% iron. In Hassan district titaneferous magnetites occur as linear

bands with prominent outcrops in a narrow belt of Dharwar rocks which are composed of

amphibolites and hornblende schists surrounded by Peninsular Gneisses and intruded by

an ultrabasic complex.

(vi) Fault and fissure filling deposits:

Fault and fissure filling deposits of haematite are minor occurrences, seen in Veldurty and

Ramalla Kota in Kurnoor district of Andhra Pradesh. They occur in a fault zone traversing

the gneisses and Cuddapah formation over a strike length of several km. The ore bodies

form low hillocks or ridges which stand out well above the ground and are lens-shaped; they

also form veins and stringers in the fault zone. The ore is generally haematite and is often

slightly specular in character and also jaspery when it is siliceous.

5.2 GEOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSIT:-

Haematite and magnetite are the most prominent of the iron ores found in India. The iron

ores occurs in different geological rock groups/ formations in India but the largest

concentration of economic deposits are found associated with volcano-sedimentary Banded

Iron Formation (BIF) of Precambrian age. The older magnetite-dominant deposits with

bands of magnetite are generally of Algoma type associated with banded magnetite

_________________________________________________________________________


quartzites whereas the younger haematite dominant deposits are similar to Lake Superior

type, associated with banded haematite quartzite/jasper (BHQ/BHJ) and occur as cappings

on hills. Of these, haematite is considered to be superior because of its high grade and

occurs as massive, laminated, friable and also in powder form. The major deposits of iron

ore are located in Jharkhand, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Karnataka and Goa States. About 60% of

haematite ore deposits are found in the Eastern sector and about 80% magnetite ore

deposits occur in the Southern sector, especially in Karnataka (Plate-I).

Extensive deposits of high grade hematite ores are available in the following States:

1. Jharkhand - Singhbhum district

2. Orissa - Sundargarh, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj and Cuttack districts.

3. Chhatisgarh - Bastar and Durg districts.

4. Karnataka - Bellery, Hospet and Chickmagalur districts.

5. Goa - North Goa and South Goa

6. Maharashtra - Surajgarh, Chandrapur and Ratnagiri districts.

Orissa has the highest resources followed by Jharkhand, Chahattisgarh, Karnataka, Goa

and Maharashtra in order of abundance.

Large resources of low grade magnetite ores occur in Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu,

Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka has the highest resources of magnetite ore.

Major iron ore deposits in India, distributed in several geographical locales are grouped

under five zones designated as Zone – I to Zone-V, have been identified in the country on

commercial ground (Plate –II) which are as below:

Zone I- Occur in the Bonai Iron Ore ranges of Jharkhand, Orissa and adjoining areas

of eastern India. This also includes Gorumahisani-Badampahar, Tomka-Daiteri

belts.

Zone II – Comprises the iron ore deposits in the long (225 km.) North-south trend in

linear belt in central India in the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and

Maharashtra (East)

Zone III – Occur in Bellary –Hospet region of Karnataka.

_________________________________________________________________________


Zone IV – Includes the rich magnetite deposits of Bababudan –Kudremukh areas of

Karnataka

Zone V – Cover the rich iron ore of Goa and coastal Maharastra

In addition, magnetite rich banded magnetite quartzite occurs in parts of Andhra Pradesh,

Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

State wise distribution and description of deposits

The larger and rich iron ore deposits are mainly concentrated in Jharkhand, Orissa,

Chhatisgarh, Karnataka and Goa. Comparatively small deposits are situated in

Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Rajasthan. The occurrences of iron

ore deposits are also reported from Assam, Meghalaya Nagaland, West Bengal, Himachal

Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu-Kashmir. Extensive deposits of high grade haematite

ore are available in Singhbhum district of Jharkhand; Sundergarh, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj

and Cuttak districts of Orissa; Bastar and Durg districts of Chhattisgarh; Bellary , Hospet

and Chickmaglur district of Karnataka, North and South Goa. Comparatively smaller

deposits are available in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Surguja, Chandrapur and

Ratnagiri districts of Maharastra. Besides, low grade BMQ (Banded Magnetite Quartzite)

ores occur in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Detail description of the deposits

belt-wise and sector-wise has been enumerated in Part – II of the volume. The age-wise

distribution of Indian iron ore deposits is given in Table 5.2.1 and a State-wise locale for iron

ores are tabulated given in Table 5.2.2.

Table- 5.2.1: Age-wise distribution of Indian iron ore deposits

Formation Nature of ore Occurrence Quaternary Laterite Many states derived from many

formations including Deccan Traps

Tertiary Miocene & Eocene

Ironstone SouthIndia-Travancore, Malabar etc. Assam, NE states, U.P.Kumaon

Jurassic Rajmahal Trap (intertrappean beds)

Iron stones West Bengal (Birbhum), Jharkhand (Rajmahal)

_________________________________________________________________________


Gondwana Barakar Mahadeva

Ironstones & siderite Siderite

West Bengal (Birbhum) Jharkhand-Auranga coalfield

Triassic Ironstones & shale Ironstones & siderite

Haematite & goethite West Bengal –Raniganj coalfield Kashmir

Cuddapah Bijawar Gwalior

Haematite & ferruginous quartzite

Madhya Pradesh-Gwalior, Indore etc.; Andhra Pradesh-Cuddapah

Pre-Cambrian Basic & ultrabasic rock Titaniferous and

vanadiferous magnetite Jharkhand-SE Singhbhum; Orissa-Mayurbhanj; Karnataka

Granodiorite Apatite magnetite rocks Singhbhum Granite

Magnetites (residual) Assam-Jaintia Hills; Karnataka-Kudremukh

Banded Iron Formation

Haematite (massive, shaly, powdery etc.)

Orissa- Sundergarh,Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj; Karnataka - Simoga, Bellary -Hospet,Dharwar; Jharkhand - Singhbhun West; Maharashtra - Ratnagiri and Chandrapur ; Chhattisgarh-Bastar (Bailadila) and Durg; Madhya Pradesh - Jabalpur

Banded Iron Formation (metamorphosed)

Magnetite-quartzite Tamilnadu - Salem, Tiruchirapalli; Kerala; Andhra Pradesh -Guntur ; Karnataka - Shimoga & Chikmagalur; Himachal Pradesh - Mandi.

_________________________________________________________________________


Table - 5. 2. 2: State-wise brief description of iron ore deposits

Name of the State General description of deposit

Name of the deposits

Ore Minerals

1

2

3

4

JHARKHAND

(including BIHAR)

Iron ore, principally haematite in

banded iron formation occurs in a

number of prominent hills in

south western part of Singhbhum

district. Besides, titaneferous

magnetite and apatite magnetite

are also found in SE Singhbhum.

I. Haematite deposit

A) Singhbhum Distt : Noamundi, Gua, Borajamda,

Kiriburu, Neghatuburu, Manoharpur, Chiria

B) Ranchi Distt : Sikorda, Bagdanr, Mahantol

C) Minor occurrences in Santhal Pargana,

Bhagalpur, Dhanbad, Hajaribagh, Sahabad

Dists.

Haematite (BIF)

II. Magnetite deposit :

A) Singhbhum Distt.

1) Ramchandra Pahar, Kudada, Patharghora,

Khejurdari

Ap-magnetite

2) Dublabera, Sindurpur.

Ti-magnetite

B) Palamau Distt. : Gore village, Sua & Kauria

areas, Biwabathan.

Magnetite

ORISSA

Precambrian Iron Ore Group of

rocks of Singhbhum-Keonjhar

Bonai belt containing high grade

haematitic ore are running

through

Keonjhar

and

Sundargarh districts . Apart from

haematite,

magnetite

(Ti

bearing)also noted from several

places.


A) Keonjhar Distt.: Thakurani, Bolani, Jhilling-

langallota, Joda, Gandhamardan, Malangtoli,

Bansapani, Guali, Gurubera and minor

occurrence from Jajang, Joribahal, Katamati,

Bhadrasahi, Koira, Kasia, Kurbandh, Dulki,

Jolahuri, Baldo etc.

B) Sundargarh Distt.: Barsua, Mankarnacha, Balia

Pahar, Khondadhar, Mithurda, Patroposi.

C) Jajpur Distt. : Tomka, Daitari

D) Mayurbhanj Disttt.: Gorumahisani, Sulaipet,

Badampahar

E) Nawarangpura Distt.: Hirapur Umrakot

F) Sambalpur Distt.: Lohakhand-Naibassa Hill

G) Dhenkanal Distt.: Malaygiri range

Haematite (BIF)

_________________________________________________________________________


1

2

3

4

II. Magnetite deposit

a) Ti-bearing magnetite from Kumardubi,

Betjharan, Nahapahari and SW of Baripada

Magnetite

(Ti-bearing)

b) Puri Distt : Chilka Lake

Magnetite (Sand)

c) Dhenkanal Distt : Basudebpur, Murhi

Magnetite

(Lateritic)

CHHATISGARH


rocks consists of banded haematite-

jasper/quartzite,

similar

to

Singhbhum-Keonjhar iron ore belt

are found in several parts of MP and

Chhatisgarh State. Large deposits

of excellent quality of iron ore are

found in Bastar and Durg districts.


A) Bastar Distt: Rowghat area, Chhotadongar

deposit

B) Dantewara Distt.: Bailadila range includes

fourteen deposits numbered 1 to 14

C) Durg Distt.: Dalli-Rajhara, Kanchar,

Jharandali, Kondekosa and minor

occurrences near Khairagarh, Berla, Katul

Kassa, Jurla Khar etc.

D) Kanker Distt.: Ari Dongri. Besides this there

are smaller deposits in Dulki, Kalwar, Dongar

bar, Lohattar in bordering area of Durg

district.

E) District with minor occurrence : Jashpur,

Bilashpur, Raigarh districts.

Haematite

(BIF)

MADHYA

PRADESH


rocks consists of banded haematite-

jasper/quartzite.


A) Jabalpur Dist: Kanhwar plateau, Agaria,

Bijori, Ghosalpur, Lora hill, Ghoghra, Silondi,

Saroli etc.

B) Chattarpur Dist: Dalipur, Nimkhera, Deora,

Chungwah etc.

C) Districts with smaller occurrence: Betul,

Jhabua, Nimar, Rajgarh, Sagar, Satna, Sidhi,

Tikamgarh, Gwalior, Mandsaur,

Narasimhapur etc.

Haematite

(BIF)

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1

2

3

4

KARNATAKA

Iron ore deposit of Kranataka are

classified into three types :

1. Banded ferruginos quartzite of

Dharwarian

age

containing

haematite 2.Metamorphosed banded

magnetite-quartzite

containing

magnetite 3.Magnetic deposit

containing titaneferous magnetite

associated with ultrabasic rock.

I) Haematite deposit

A) Belary Distt.: Bellary-Hospet deposit

B) Chitradurga Distt.: Sivaganga and Hiriyur,

Medikeripura, Kadlegudam, Bhimasamudra,

Vajra etc.

C) Shimoga Distt.: Siddarahalli, Channagiri,

Joldhal, Ganpur, Bhadigund, Shankargudda

and Kumsi area, Chattanhalli, Agumbe-

Visaniguda, Kodachadri, Kotebare.

D) Bijapur Distt.: Amingarh, Bassargi, Bisnal,

Aihole, Hiremagi-Ramthal

E) North Kanara Distt.: Halkhamba, Shiroli,

Kunang, Kalinadi, Hudsa, Anmod, Kuveshi-

Diggi, Joidu, Talaginkere, Mavingundi,

Huntaganis, Yellapur.

F) Tumku, district, Karikurikhi,

Chikanayakanhalli, Janehara, Kuni, etc.

G) Minor occurrences: Bijapur, Dakshin

Kannada, Dharwar, Hassan, Mysore districts.

Haematite (BIF)

II) Magnetite deposit

A) Chikmagalur Distt.: Bababudam Hill,

Kudremukh, Gangamula.

B) North Kanara Distt.: Kodalgadde

Apsarakonda

C) Mandya Distt.: Muddur, Tippur, Husegu &

Hullahalli.

D) Chikmagalur Distt. Near Masanikere close to

Bhadravati.

Magnetite (BIF)

Vanediferous

magnetite

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1

2

3

4

GOA

A large number of iron ore deposits

are concentrated here. The banded

haematite quartzite rocks of

precambrian age are generally

confined to pink phyllite horizon.

Ore

minerals

principally are

haematite with smaller occurrences

of magnetite, limonite and goethite.

From NW to SE more than thirty iron ore

deposits have been identified. These are—

1) Advalpale 2) Nanora 3) Bicholem-Sirigao

4) Bordem-Savorna 5) Sanguelim 6) Arvalem

7) Cudnem Dignemsurla 8)Velguem-Pale 9)

Pissurlem-Sonshi 10) Usgao 11) Conquirem

12) Poient-Siudem 13) Sacorda 14) Sonal

Deven 15) Gavarem-Malpona 16) Balcoruem

17)Bimbol-Sigao 18) Suetioli-Taitoli 19) Codli

20) Samtona-Quirlapale 21) Codli 22Dudal

23) Kalay 24) Manlinguem 25) Tolem-Motto 26)

Barazan -Villena 27) Sirigal-Undorna-Angod

28) Rivona-Columba 29) Canvorem-Navelim

30) Sulcorna-Vichundrem 31) Netrolim

32)Camona – Conda 33) Betul

Principally

Haematite (BIF)

with minor

amount of

magnetite,

limonite and

goethite

MAHARA-SHTRA In Mahara-shtra,iron ore deposits

are found associated with IOG of

Archean. It comprises older schists

and unclassified crystalline overlain

by metamorphosed sedimentary

rock such as quartzite,BHQ, phyllite

etc. Ores are derived mostly from

the BHQ by leaching of silica.

I) Haematite Deposit

A) Sindhudurg Distt. Redi, Tirvade-Ajgaon-

Guldave, Satcli-Starda, Satcli-Talwane,

Talesane-ajgaon, Kalne, Podye Degve-

Banda, Galel, Galel North and Galel South.

B) Chandrapur Distt.: Lohara, Pipalgaon, Asola

C) Gadchiroli Distt.: Surajgarh, Bhamragarh,

Dewalgaon, Puser, Damkodwadvi hill range.

D) Bhandara Distt.: Khursipar, Konholi.

E) Ratnagiri Distt.: Malvan, Kunda, Savantvadi.

F) Minor occurrences from Kolhapur, Nagpur,

Satara(N) Nanded, Yeotmal Districts.

Haematite (BIF)

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1

2

3

4

ANDHRA

PRADESH

Most of iron ore deposits are found

associated with rocks of Dharwar

sediment or Purana formations.

However low grade iron ore are also

known from upper Gondwana and

laterite cappings on Deccan Traps.

Both haematite and magnetite

deposits occur in the state.

I) Haematite deposit

A) Anantapur Distt.: Balapuram, Siddapuram,

Rayadurg Taluk, Malapanangudi,

Velpurnadugu, Kambadur, Gollapalle,

Oddapalem, Muchalapalle

B) Cuddapah Distt. : Chabali area, Rajampet,

Ponduluri Venkatapalli, Erraguntakota,

Mantapampalle, Pendlimari and

Pagadalapalle

C) Kurnool Distt. : Veldurti, Ramallakota.

D) Nellore Distt.: Rassnapalem, Chundi hill,

Polenane, Cheruvu, Swarnamukhi valley.

E) Khammam & Warangal Distts.:

Cheruvupuram, Kottagudem, motala

Timmapur, Nilanche, Bayyaram, Opulapuram

II) Magnetite deposit

1) Prakasham Distt.

a. Ongole Gr- Pernametta, Ongole,

Konijedu, Sanampudi bands.

b. Gundal kamma gr.– Byrepalle, Errapale,

Timmavaram and Manikeshvaram.

2) Khammam Distt. : Utla, Tatraiyapalli,

Gopalpur

3) Vishakhapatnam Distt- Sitarampur,

Darbanblom Konda

4) East Godavari Distt -Addatigala, Devipuram.

Besides above deposits. iron ores are also

reported from Adilabad, Chittoor, Guntur,

Karimnagar, Krishna, Medak, Nizamabad,

Vishakhapatnam, Srikakulam,and Warringal

districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Haematite (BIF)

Magnetite (BIF)

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CHAPTER 6: FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR IRON ORE DEPOSITS IN INDIA

Iron and steel is considered as the backbone of the modern economy. Consumption of steel

is used as a yardstick for measuring industrial growth and socioeconomic development of a

nation. The economic reformation and consequent liberalization of iron and steel sector

brought a remarkable change in core sector industries, particularly in private sector. India

has become self sufficient in iron and steel during the last few years. Iron ore is one of the

basic raw materials for iron and steel industry. India has large resource of good quality iron

ore that can meet the growing demand of domestic iron and steel industries and can sustain

considerable export. Iron ore has been major foreign exchange earner for India.

6.1 DEMAND OF IRON ORE

Iron ores produced in India go mainly either into export or into domestic consumption. India

is a major global player in iron ore production and third in the world trade of iron ore after

Australia and Brazil. Export of iron ore which was 62.5 million tonnes in 2003-04 was

increased to 91.43 million tonnes in 2006-07 and again decreased to 68.47 million tonnes in

2007-08. The growth of steel industry in India during last three/four years also registered a

significant upward trend and expected to swim depending on overall economic growth rate.

Iron ore demand depends on the production of iron and steel which in turn depends largely

on the domestic demand for the same. The prospective investors like Tata steel, Tata-

Corus, Jindal Power and Steel, Global steel giants POSCO, Arcelar Mittal and other major

industrial houses are to invest in steel sector in India. Recent UNCTAD report states of 375

million tonnes new production capacity round the world is likely to be on board by 2007-09.

According to the 11th Plan Working Group on Steel, demand for iron ore would rise to 130

million tonnes by 2011-12. The national steel policy has envisaged the target of steel

production at 110 million tonnes by 2019-2020 which will be requiring ~170 million tonnes of

iron ore. A target set in the national steel policy suggests a production of 300 million tonnes

of iron ore by 2019-20 to meet export and domestic demand.

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The path of growth of Indian steel sector was progressing fast before global cash crunch

which has threatened global as well Indian infrastructure sector. Steel production globally

was maintaining a rapid growth with strong performance, but currently moving through a

challenging phase where growth has to fallen substantially both in India as well as in the

international market. Future demand projection will bound to have a set back. Obvious result

will be less demand of iron ore leading to less mining and production. While the current

prospects for Indian iron ores/steel in a global context are debatable, domestic prospects

appear bright. The very long term forecast of iron and steel production and the consequent

demand for iron ore made on optimistic assumptions also show that the steel industry can

remain comfortable with domestic iron ore supplies even with an annual iron ore export of

100 million tonnes till about 2070 at the current estimates of resources in the country.

However in this write up it has been presumed that global economic crunch scenario will

overcome the bad patch and demand for iron ore will increase in future to maintain a steady

growth rate. To achieve the iron ore demand of the future, strategy should be changed for

making available adequate iron ore resources by way of systematic exploration. The real

necessity is for vigorous exploration and exploitation matching domestic requirements,

massive export commitments, value additions as well as infrastructure developments. India

must have clear strategy for next 20-25 years for augmenting the resources with proper

orientation of exploration in geologically potential domains keeping in view the exploitation

of the existing established resources.

6.2 Augmentation of iron ore

Geological potential for hosting yet undiscovered concealed iron ore deposits in India are

very high. Scientific and detailed exploration needs to be carried out in search of new iron

ore deposits for augmentation of resources and to conduct reassessment of existing iron

ore resources to meet the present and future demands of iron ore. India stopped exploration

for iron ore by the largest government agencies like Geological Survey of India and Mineral

Exploration Corporation for two decades towards the end of last century and even after that,

the exploration revival has not yet taken a war footing, such as in many other countries of

the world, to identify new iron ore deposits, to quantitatively establish the detailed geological

parameters or to evaluate mining feasibility etc, in any large scale manner.

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Reconnaissance, Prospecting, General exploration data along G axis and Geological Study

along F-axis of UNFC need to be consolidated for identification of prospects for Pre-

feasibility, Feasibility studies (F-axis) in order to evaluate economic viability (Economic

axis). Identification of large deposit should be attempted both by model driven approach and

inductive techniques. It is time now to plan our future exploration strategy in a long term

perspective.

Total resources potentiality of hematite – magnetite iron ore is yet to be known in the

country. GSI through regional exploration and mapping has identified more than 90% of

hematite iron ore deposits of the country. About 80% of magnetite ore is found in South

India in the States of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The major

deposits which constitute almost 74% of the total resources (Kudemukh and Bababudan

deposits etc ) lie in forest area in Karnataka(7663.34 million tones). The other deposits with

significant resources lie in Andhra Pradesh 1463.54 million tones, Rajasthan 522.65 million

tones, Tamil Nadu 481.87 million tones and Goa 164.05 million tones. As there is huge

resources of haematite iron ore in the country, estimation of magnetite resources was not a

priority area. Even though the important and large magnetite deposits of then country have

been explored and magnetite ore concentrates and pellets were being produced from

Kudremukh iron ore; exploration for magnetite ore was in a low priority. As there is huge

demand of iron ore in the country, it is important that the magnetite ore bodies are also

assessed to know the total potentiality of iron ore in the country. The banded magnetite

quartzite bands in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Rajasthan have to

be assessed by regional exploration followed by detailed exploration in the promising areas.

It has been observed in many places that along with mining, iron ore deposits are being

discovered and explored which ultimately has augmented ore resources. It is worth

mentioning that even after extensive mining the resource of hematite iron ore has increased

by 3204 million tones in five years between 2000 and 2005. Even during these period

reserves has also increased from 6025 million tones to 7004 million tonnes. The exploration

was conducted mainly in the leasehold areas by the mining Companies. Out of 14630

million tones of total resources of hematite iron ore resources is 7004 million tones which

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means there is scope to convert 7626 million tones of remaining resources to reserve

through detailed exploration and feasibility studies. Of the total resources of 10619 million

tones of magnetite ore reserves constitute only 206 million tones warranting immediate

exploration to convert resources to reserve.

All these activities will augment the iron ore reserves / resources in the country. In addition,

iron ore occurring in different geological formation, if assessed, will augment the iron ore

resources of the country. Hence there is scope for assessment in new areas and

reassessment in the areas where mining is under operation or under active consideration.

The future exploration activities have to be carried out to augment resources over the

known deposits which were not explored earlier in totality and in greenfield areas of

identified potential domains.

The total potential area for iron ore in different geological domains tentatively identified in

the country is around 7000 sq km. It includes around 6000sq km potential domain in

peninsular India and around 1000 sq. km in extra Peninsular regions of the country. These

potential areas are mainly those geological domains where BIF, which is the host rock for

iron ore, are exposed. Out of the potential areas of 7000sq km, the area explored is around

5900 sq. km. As very scanty and marginal investigation has so far been carried out in the

extra peninsular region of J&K state and Himachal Pradesh, the bulk of 1000 sq km

potential area in the extra peninsular India may be treated as greenfield areas. Thus the

total Greenfield areas within the tentatively identified potential areas in both Peninsular and

extra-Peninsular region is around 2000 sq km which is to be assessed by reconnaissance

mineral investigation under green field area exploration. The remaining explored 5000 sq

km area of the potential domain within the peninsular India warrant reassessment.

a. Scope of Reassessment work in explored areas:

The current estimate does not give a complete picture of India’s iron ore resources. Most of

the resource estimates of iron ore deposits were made at least three decades ago which

were later modified marginally. The reassessment is needed in the following areas:

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I. Exploration by deeper proving: These earlier exploration schemes and the final

estimates were dictated by the then purpose of exploration, the stage of exploration,

the desired category of reserve/resource to be established at the stipulated level of

depth and accuracy, size and type of the deposits etc. In many cases during earlier

exploration within powdery ore or blue dust, drilling was abandoned and resources

were estimated considering blue dust has no economic use. As of now blue dust or

powdery ore has economic interest, hence such deposits have to be reassessed by

carrying out further exploration down to the bottom of powdery ore. It appears in

Malangtoli Group of deposits in Orissa, out of 19 deposits (designated Deposit A to

Deposit S) a total of 13 deposits were explored partly and resources of 300 million

tones of ore were estimated. There is possibility of substantial augmentation of ore

resources if all the deposits are explored up to the desired depth.

Depth of exploration is a key dimension of the resource estimation. According to

industry experts, the assessments made on the potential reserves of iron ore seem to

be based on mining depth of 50 meters with a grid interval of more than 500 meters or

so. But iron ore can be available to far greater depths as has been experienced by

several mines in India itself. For example, in Karnataka, it has been contended that the

reserves are based on a 40 meters depth only whereas mining has been carried out to

a depth of up to 200 meters. The mining industry contends that in other countries the

mining depth has reached more than 200 meters. Mining depth depends on the

specific conditions and there are no uniform geophysical conditions prevailing across

the world. But from the experience so far, there seems to be a good potential for Indian

miners to find more resources by digging deeper. At current prices of iron ore, mining

to such depth is viable.

II. Systematic exploration in leasehold areas: In all the leasehold areas of both private

and public sectors, where maximum quantity of known iron ore resources are locked

in, proper data evaluation is needed to assess the reserve and resources balances and

examine whether the exploration was done in totality or there is still scope to augment

reserves/resources through further exploration. Most of the evaluated resources are of

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indicated (332) or inferred (333) category. In this context, close spaced deep drilling

may be undertaken to estimate proved reserve (111,121) / resource (331, 321) of iron

ore deposits. Effort should be made for proper planning of exploration in virgin areas

and gaps within the mining leases for searching new resources. GSI has initiated

search for iron ore in parts of Tomka-Daitari belt in Orissa where discontinuous iron ore

bodies are confined within BIF. Prospecting in remaining part of the belt will augment

the ore resources. The total assessment in each property will augment the iron ore

resources in the country.

III. Exploration in Forest areas: Many of the iron ore deposits lie in forest areas. The total

resource potentialities of such deposits are not known. The example being Bailadila

deposits no.2 (part 3,6,7,8,9 and 12) in Chhattisgarh. All these come under forest

areas requiring necessary clearance. Ghatkuri iron ore deposit lying in Jharkhand,

could not be explored due to forest problem. This deposit lies in the belt which host a

number of large iron ore deposits. There are many deposits in forest areas. Such

deposits have to be assessed in totality to augment iron ore resources in the country.

IV. Exploration of iron ore beyond BHJ/BHQ: Steps may be taken to examine for

availability of iron ore resources beyond the BHJ/BHQ Formations

V. Reassessment due to lowered cut-off: Previously the resource and reserves were

calculated based on arbitrary 55% Fe as cut off to produce a mineable ore but recently

IBM has lowered threshold value of iron ore to +45% Fe. The lowest grade which can

be economically exploited at a particular time is the cut off grade. The level of cut off

grade varies and is determined by market conditions keeping obviously the

conservation point of view as these are non-renewable resources. Earlier enriched

banded iron formation (BIF) containing 45-55% Fe was not considered as ore. New ore

enrichment techniques have made the use of lower grade ore and there is availability

of such type of ore, but quantity of such ore is unknown because that low grade

material was not estimated earlier. It has been geologically observed that in many iron

ore deposits, iron ore (+55% Fe) on the top passes through enriched BIF (50-55% Fe)

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to BIF (<50% Fe) due to supergene enrichment. In earlier occasions enriched BIF with

50-55% Fe was not considered as ore and does not figure in the resource table. As the

cut-off grade is lowered from 55%m to 45% Fe, the material with 50 % Fe to (+) 45%

Fe will form part of iron ore.

The new prospects and area within existing mine requires reassessment through

optimization based on economic grade and scheduled for production based on market

demand. Such exercise would obviously enhance the resource base to a great extent.

A well designed exploration programme need to be mounted in the explored area for low

grade (+45%Fe) iron ore which occurs in one of the following modes:

a. Low grade partings within the high grade ore (Shaly ore).

b. In hanging wall and footwall side of the ore zone or as separate bands.

c. On top in the lateritic profile (Lateritic and limonitic ore)

d. As bottom of established ore within zone of enrichment above proto ore.

b. New Prospective areas for iron ore exploration:

Although economically viable deposits can exist in different geological setups, exploration

for iron ore was mostly confined to Banded Iron Formation (BHQ/BHJ/BMQ) where bulk of

the country’s deposits exists. GSI has initiated steps to identify new potential areas for iron

ore occurrence both in BIF and also in other non BIF hosted setup like: i) prospect of iron

ore in structurally controlled domains in the form of vein forming mineral occurrences in

cratonic portions of Peninsular India ii) ferruginous metamorphosed argillitic sequences in

different Precambrian-early Proterozoic terrains of extra peninsula iii) Magmatic iron ore

occurrences associated with intrusive mafic rocks in granulite terrains of Southern

Peninsular India and iv) other geologically favourable domains of Rajasthan and Lower

Assam. An area of around 5000 sq km has been tentatively identified for reconnaissance

stage investigation (G-4 stage) to narrow down the target areas for future intensified mineral

search through progressive higher stages of investigation. The favorable potential segments

identified for reconnaissance stage investigation in these new Greenfield areas are as

follows:

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(a) Mahakoshal fold belts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

(b) Pur-Banera and other similar belts of Mangalwar complex of Rajasthan.

(c) Favourable portions within the Granulite terrain of southern peninsula, particularly in

Tamil Nadu.

(d) Potential portions within supra crustal belts of southern peninsula, particularly Andhra

Pradesh.

(e) Granulite belts of the Archaean gneissic complex of lower Assam.

(f) Metamorphosed Precambrian sequences of the J&K state and metamorphosed

Proterozoic sequences of Himachal Pradesh.

6.3 Optimal utilization of iron ore:

In order to achieve the optimal utilization of iron ore in any deposit, the mineable cut off in

the light of lowering of threshold value of haematitic ore is of utmost importance and grade-

wise inventory of ores are the demand of the day and therefore scheduling of the deposit is

essential through optimization. Optimization is necessary in planning and development of

iron ore deposits. Scheduling of deposits help in creating stock piles of lower grade material

that could be blended back later in the mines life thereby enhancing the reserve base. The

method works on a regular block model of the ore body and constructs lists of the blocks

that should or should not be mined. A series of scheduling of blocks need be created.

Different ROM products need be considered and stored as data in blocks. Each block

should figure total rock volume, tonnage and grade. Various types of blending of ore could

either be sent to the customer or to separate high and low grade Fe and contaminant stock

piles for reclaiming. Another significant statistics is the use of iron ore fines. In 2005-06, out

of total production of 154.4 million tonnes of iron ore in India 87.9 million tonnes was fine

which constitute 56.9% of total production. Since the market of iron ore is expanding and

there would be enough scope for utilization of the beneficiated fines, it is an opportunity to

look into an acquisition of such resources and work them with beneficiation projects for

value addition. This fact signifies the necessity for pelletisation/sinter plants for optimal use

of iron ore. For optimal utilization of ore, the regulatory body should be vigilant.

Documents

Iron Ores in India