Manganese is an important raw material for smelting of iron ore and also used for manufacturing ferro alloys.
Distribution:
(i) Manganese deposits are found in almost all geological formations. However, it is mainly associated with Dharwar system.
(ii) Odisha is the leading producer of Manganese. Major mines in Odisha are located in central part of the iron-ore belt of India—Bonai, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Gangpur, Koraput Kalahandi and Bolangir.
(iii) Karnataka is another major producer state. Its mines are located in Dharwar, Bellary, Belgaum, North-Canara, Chikmagalur, Shimoga, Chitradurg and Tumkur.
(iv) It is also found in Maharashtra and mined in Nagpur, Bhandara and Ratnagiri. It is much more far away from steel plant.
(v) The manganese belt of Madhya Pradesh extends in a belt in BalaghatChhindwara- Nimar-Mandla and Jhabua districts. Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Jharkhand are other minor producers of managanese.
