Geography 6. Mineral Resources

Kudremukh is famous for Iron ore.

Explanation

A large deposit of iron ore is found in Kudremukh.

The best quality iron ore is Magnetite.

Explanation

There are primarily four types of iron ore- 1) Siderite 2) Limonite 3) Hematite 4) Magnetite

Of these Magnetite is the best quality because of its high iron content.

Sandur in Ballari district has Iron ore and Manganese mines.

Explanation

Sandur in Ballari district has good deposits of Iron and Manganese ores.

The metal that is produced from bauxite ore is Aluminium.

Explanation

Bauxite is the chief ore from which Aluminium is extracted by electrolysis. It contains 30-54% alumina.

The deepest gold mine is Champion Reef.

Explanation

In Kolar Gold Fields Champion Reef is the deepest gold mine of 3218 metres. It’s the deepest throughout the world and caters most of the gold production in Karnataka.

Karnataka stands in the first place of the production of gold. It produces 80% of the total gold in India. There are many mines in the Kolar Gold Field some of which are Nandidurg, Urigaum, Champion Reef and Mysore mines. Hutti in Raichur district is the biggest gold mine in India. For these rich deposits of gold, Karnataka is also known as the ‘Land of Gold’.

Karnataka is home to various mineral resources. It has rich deposits in Iron ore, Manganese, Gold, and Bauxite. Other minerals like limestone, copper, chromite, asbestos, granite, mica are also found in plenty. Karnataka stands first in the production of gold, thus commonly known as ‘Land of Gold’, second in the production of Manganese as well as production of Iron ore and Bauxite in India.

Manganese is the ore used as in alloy in production of steel. It decreases the brittleness of steel and imparts hardness an increases the strength of Steel.

Chikkamagaluru district holds the second position. Along with it places like Bagalkot, Chitradrurga, Tumakuru, Hospet, Sandur, Kudremukh, Shivamogga, Tumkur, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Gadag have a rich deposit of iron ore mines.

Belgavi district is the leading producer of Bauxite in Karnataka. It produces the maximum bauxite in Karnataka.

Karnataka holds the first position in India in the production of gold therefore known as the ‘Land of Gold’. The Kolar Gold Fields is one of the biggest and deepest gold mines in the world. They are Nandidurg, Urigaum, Champion Reef and Mysore mines. The Champion gold field is the deepest gold mine. Gold is also produced in Bellari in Tumakuru district, Ajjanahalli near Sira, Mulgund, and Kappatagudda in Gadag district and Kempinakote in Hassan district. Currently, Hutti in Raichur district is the biggest gold mine in India.

Explanation

1. Manganese has large deposits in Supa.

2. Hutt is the biggest gold mine of India currently.

3. A good deposit of Iron ore is found in Kumsi.

4. Bauxite is found in Khanapur taluks.

Karnataka is a mineral rich state. A lot of minerals are available in Karnataka like Iron ore, Manganese, Bauxite, Gold, Limestone, copper, Chromite, asbestos, granite, mica are found in plenty.

• Iron Ore- Iron ore is the basic raw material for steel industry. There are many varieties of iron ore such as Limonite, Siderite, Haematite, and Magnetite. Of these Magnetite id the best quality because of the rich iron content. Karnataka holds second position in India in production of Iron ore. It produces 63% Magnetite ore. Chikkamagaluru district holds the second position in production. Other rich deposits are found in Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Shivamogga, Ballari, Bagalkot, Uttar Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Hospet, Sandur, Bababudangiri hills, Kemmannugunddi, Kudremukh, Gangamula, and other areas. Iron ore is extracted at Donimalai, Vibhutigudda, Belagala, Kumaraswamy Hills, Devadri range, Ramagurga hillsand it is sent to Iron and Steel industries.

• Manganese- Manganese is an important mineral used in the making of iron and steel. It is found in oxide form in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. It is used as an alloy in manufacture of Steel as it decreases the brittleness and imparts hardness and increases the strength of the steel. It is known as ‘jack of all trades’. Karnataka holds second position in India for the production of Manganese. It serves 27% of the total deposits in the country. Sandur in Bellary district produces almost 90% of the total produced in the state. Other regions like Kumsi, Shankaragudda, Hoshahalli in Shivamogga district, Sadarahalli in Chitradunga district, Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumakuru district, Sirsi taluk, Supa, Londa produces good quality manganese. It is also exported to countries like Japan, China.

• Bauxite- Bauxite is the raw material for aluminium. It is actually a rock consisting of aluminium oxides. Bauxite is chiefly produced in the districts of Belgavi, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Belgavi and Khanapur taluks. Belgavi is the leading producer of Bauxite in Karnataka.

• Gold- Gold is a yellow durable material. It is used for making ornaments and is very expensive. Karnataka ranks first in the production of Gold. It produces 80% gold in India. The Kolar Gold Fields which is one of the biggest gold mines of the world is present in Karnataka. The mines include Nandidurg, Urigaum, Champion Reef, Mysore mines. Champion Reef is the deepest mine. Places like Bellara in Tumakuru district, Ajjanahalli near Sira, Malgund, Kappatagudda in Gadag district, Kempinakote in Hassan district also produce gold. Currently Hutti in Raichur district is the biggest goldmine in India.