MINERAL RESOURCES IN INDIA

Mineral resources are essential for industrial development & India is richly endowed with a variety of minerals due to its diverse geological structure. The country has over hundred types of minerals of which around thirty have economic significance. These include coal, iron ore, manganese, bauxite, mica etc. However India has inadequate reserves of some non-ferrous metallic minerals especially copper, lead, zinc, tin & graphite.

Types of Minerals

1. Metallic Minerals

These minerals contain metals in their raw form which can be extracted through various processes for industrial use.

• Ferrous Metals: Minerals that contain iron used primarily in the production of steel & alloys.
• Non-Ferrous Metals: Minerals that do not contain iron & are used in industries such as electronics, aerospace, construction. They include minerals like copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver etc.

2. Non-Metallic Minerals

Non-metallic minerals do not contain metals but are essential in various industries such as construction, chemicals, manufacturing.

• Industrial Minerals: These are used directly in industries without being processed into metal including limestone, mica, graphite.
• Building Materials: Non-metallic minerals used in construction & infrastructure like sand, clay, gypsum, marble.
• Gemstones and Precious Stones: Minerals that are used in jewellery & other decorative arts such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds.

Characteristics of Minerals

Minerals by their nature exhibit range of characteristics that define their properties & behavior. These characteristics are fundamental to identifying, classifying & utilizing them across various industries:

1. Occurrence

• Natural Formation: Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic solids. They are formed by geological processes over time often under high pressure, temperature or through chemical reactions.
• Deposits: Minerals can occur in various geological formations such as rocks, veins or beds. Some may be concentrated in certain areas forming mineral deposits that are economically viable.

2. Chemical Composition

• Fixed Chemical Formula: Every mineral has a specific chemical composition that can be expressed by chemical formula. This defines the elements and their proportions present in the mineral.
• Variety in Composition: Some minerals like feldspar or mica may have a range of compositions due to variations in their elements while others like quartz have a specific composition.

3. Crystal Structure

• Orderly Arrangement: Minerals have a specific internal arrangement of atoms, ions or molecules which results in the formation of crystals. This orderly pattern of atoms defines the mineral’s structure.
• Crystal Systems: The arrangement of atoms in a mineral can result in different crystal systems such as cubic, hexagonal, tetragonal & orthorhombic. Each system has geometric properties.
• Habit and Shape: The shape of a crystal (how it grows in its natural form) can also reflect its internal structure giving us clues about its mineral identity.

4. Hardness

• Resistance to Scratching: Hardness is the mineral’s ability to resist being scratched by other materials. The most common scale to measure this is the Mohs scale which ranges from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).
• Use in Industry: Minerals with higher hardness, like diamonds are used for cutting, drilling & grinding while softer minerals are used in applications like cosmetics or construction.

5. Color

• Variation in Color: The color of a mineral is influenced by presence of trace elements, impurities or structural defects. For example, copper gives malachite its green color.
• Not Always Reliable: Color alone is not always a reliable characteristic for identifying minerals because many minerals come in a wide variety of colors due to impurities (e.g., quartz can be clear, pink, purple, etc.).

6. Streak

• Color of Powder: The streak is the color of a mineral in its powdered form, which is observed by rubbing the mineral on streak plate. This characteristic is reliable than color of mineral itself for identification.
• Helps Identify Minerals: Some minerals may appear different in color but leave the same streak aiding in their identification.

7. Luster

• Reflection of Light: Luster refers to the way light interacts with surface of mineral. It can be classified as metallic, glassy, pearly, dull, or greasy.
• Types of Luster:
  • Metallic: Minerals like gold or pyrite that shine like metal.
  • Non-Metallic: Includes subcategories such as vitreous (glass-like), pearly (like pearl), and resinous (like amber).

8. Cleavage and Fracture

• Cleavage: The tendency of mineral to break along specific planes of weakness in its structure. This results in smooth, flat surfaces. The number and direction of cleavage planes can vary.
• Fracture: Minerals that do not have cleavage tend to break unevenly, producing jagged or irregular surfaces. Common types of fracture include conchoidal (smooth, curved) and uneven fracture.

9. Specific Gravity (Density)

• Weight Relative to Water: Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a mineral to the density of water. Minerals with a higher specific gravity are denser and heavier for their size.
• Useful in Identification: Specific gravity helps differentiate between minerals that look similar but have different densities (e.g., gold and pyrite).

10. Transparency

• Degree of Light Transmission: Transparency refers to how much light passes through a mineral. It can be classified as transparent, translucent, or opaque.
  • Transparent: Light passes through completely (e.g. clear quartz).
  • Translucent: Light passes through but is diffused (e.g. frosted glass).
  • Opaque: No light passes through (e.g. most metals).

11. Magnetism

• Magnetic Properties: Some minerals like magnetite are magnetic and can attract or repel magnetic objects. These minerals are used in making magnets or magnetic applications.

12. Solubility

• Reaction with Liquids: Some minerals are soluble in water or other solvents like halite (salt). Others are insoluble which is why they persist in nature as solid minerals.

13. Toughness

• Resistance to Breaking: Toughness measures a mineral’s ability to resist breaking, chipping or deforming. It’s different from hardness which is about scratching resistance. A mineral can be hard but brittle like diamond or soft but tough like jade.

14. Fluorescence

• Glow under Ultraviolet Light: Some minerals exhibit fluorescence, meaning they can glow under UV light. This characteristic is used in gemology and mineralogy to identify certain minerals.

15. Taste and Odor

• Rarely Used for Identification: Some minerals like halite (salt) have a distinct taste while others may have an odor when exposed to air. However using taste or odor as identification is rare and not recommended in practice due to safety concerns.

16. Brittleness

• Breakability: Minerals vary in how easily they can break or fracture under stress. Brittle minerals like halite will fracture with little force while others may bend or deform.

17. Transparency and Diaphaneity

• How light interacts: Some minerals are transparent (clear), while others are opaque (no light passes through) or translucent (light partially passes through).

Regional Distribution of Minerals in India

India’s mineral wealth is distributed in specific geographic regions often called mineral belts each characterized by particular geological formations & mineral resources. These regions include plateaus, basins & mountainous terrains which play an essential role in the types of minerals found.

1. North-Western Belt

States Covered: Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat

• Key Geological Formations: Aravalli Range, Alluvial deposits
• Mineral Resources:
  • Rajasthan: Marble(for construction and sculptures), Limestone (important for cement production), Zinc(used in galvanization), Copper (used in electrical wiring), Gypsum (used in cement and as a fertilizer)
  • Haryana: Limestone(for cement manufacturing), Marble (high-quality decorative stone)
  • Gujarat: Bauxite(used in the production of aluminum), Salt (for industrial use), Asbestos (used in insulation products)

2. South-Western Belt

States Covered: Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat

• Key Geological Formations: Deccan Trap, Basaltic lava flows, Sedimentary Basins
• Mineral Resources:
  • Maharashtra: Coal(mainly from the Wardha Valley), Manganese (used in steel production), Dolomite(used in steelmaking and as a construction material), Bauxite (important for aluminum production)
  • Goa: Iron ore(used in steel production), Manganese (used in steel alloys), Bauxite
  • Gujarat: Limestone(used in cement industry), Bauxite, Petroleum (from the Cambay Basin)

3. South-Eastern Belt

States Covered: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu

• Key Geological Formations: Eastern Ghats, Godavari Basin, Kurnool Basin
• Mineral Resources:
  • Andhra Pradesh: Bauxite(from Kanduluru and Kuppam), Limestone (important for cement production), Mica (used in electrical and electronics industries)
  • Telangana: Coal(from Singareni Collieries), Limestone, Barytes (used in the oil drilling industry)
  • Tamil Nadu: Limestone(used in cement), Granite (for construction), Bauxite (important for aluminum industry), Ilmenite (used in titanium production)

4. Eastern Belt

States Covered: Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh

• Key Geological Formations: Chhota Nagpur Plateau, Bastar Plateau, Mahanadi Basin
• Mineral Resources:
  • Odisha: Iron ore(from Keonjhar and Badampahar), Bauxite, Chromite (used in stainless steel production), Manganese (for steel alloys), Coal (from Talcher)
  • West Bengal: Coal(mainly from Raniganj coalfields), Mica, Limestone
  • Jharkhand: Coal(from Jharia, the largest coalfield), Iron ore (from Singhbhum), Manganese, Bauxite
  • Chhattisgarh: Coal(from Korba), Iron ore, Limestone, Manganese, Bauxite (from Bastar Plateau)

5. Central Belt

States Covered: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh

• Key Geological Formations: Vindhyan Range, Mahanadi Basin, Deccan Trap
• Mineral Resources:
  • Madhya Pradesh: Coal(from Singrauli), Bauxite (used for aluminum production), Iron ore, Manganese, Diamond (from Panna)
  • Maharashtra: Coal(from Wardha Valley), Manganese, Bauxite
  • Chhattisgarh: Coal, Iron ore, Limestone, Bauxite

6. Northern Belt

States Covered: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand

• Key Geological Formations: Himalayan Range, Shivalik Hills, Lesser Himalayas
• Mineral Resources:
  • Jammu & Kashmir: Salt, Mica, Limestone
  • Himachal Pradesh: Mica, Gypsum, Limestone, Iron ore
  • Uttarakhand: Mica, Magnesite, Limestone

7. North-Eastern Belt

States Covered: Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura

• Key Geological Formations: Brahmaputra Basin, Shillong Plateau, Tertiary Rocks
• Mineral Resources:
  • Assam: Oil(from Dibrugarh, Naharkatia), Natural Gas (from Moran), Coal
  • Meghalaya: Coal(from Jaintia Hills), Limestone
  • Nagaland: Coal, Limestone, Tin
  • Arunachal Pradesh: Coal, Mica, Graphite, Oil(from the Namchik-Namphuk Basin)
  • Manipur: Limestone, Coal
  • Tripura: Natural Gas, Limestone

8. Southern Belt

States Covered: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu

• Key Geological Formations: Deccan Plateau, Nilgiri Hills, Western Ghats
• Mineral Resources:
  • Karnataka: Iron ore(from Hospet, Bellary), Manganese, Gold (from Kolar Goldfields), Bauxite
  • Kerala: Ilmenite(used in titanium extraction), Monazite (used in thorium extraction), Graphite
  • Tamil Nadu: Limestone(important for cement), Granite (for construction), Bauxite, Ilmenite, Thorium(from Monazite sands)

9. Western Coastal Belt

States Covered: Goa, Maharashtra (coastal regions)

• Key Geological Formations: Coastal Sediments, Laterite
• Mineral Resources:
  • Goa: Iron ore, Manganese
  • Maharashtra (Coastal regions): Limestone, Bauxite

10. Deccan Plateau Belt

States Covered: Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh

• Key Geological Formations: Deccan Trap, Basin Sediments, Granite Ranges
• Mineral Resources:
  • Karnataka: Iron ore, Manganese, Gold, Bauxite
  • Telangana: Coal(from Singareni Collieries), Barytes, Limestone
  • Maharashtra: Coal, Manganese, Bauxite
  • Andhra Pradesh: Bauxite, Mica, Limestone

Major Minerals

1. Iron Ore

Types of Iron Ore Found in India:

India has four major types of iron ore classified based on their iron (Fe) content and industrial usability:

Type	Iron Content (%)	Characteristics	Occurrence in India
Hematite	60-70%	High-grade, widely used for steelmaking, reddish color	Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra
Magnetite	30-60%	Low-to-medium grade, but can be beneficiated, black color	Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
Limonite	35-50%	Hydrated iron oxide, low-grade, yellow-brown color	Assam, Goa, Karnataka
Siderite	20-40%	Poor quality due to high silica and phosphorus content	Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan

Iron Ore Reserves by State (Percentage Share in Total Reserves wise Ranking):

State	Share of Reserves  Ranking
Odisha	1
Jharkhand	2
Chhattisgarh	3
Karnataka	4
Goa	5
Others (Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala)	6

 Major Iron Ore Belts:

Iron Ore Belt	Major Mines	States Covered	Dominant Ore Type
Odisha-Jharkhand Belt	Noamundi, Gua, Joda, Barbil, Kiriburu, Bolani, Thakurani	Odisha, Jharkhand	Hematite
Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt	Bailadila, Rajhara, Dalli-Rajhara	Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra	Hematite
Bellary-Hospet Belt	Donimalai, Kumaraswamy, Ramandurg	Karnataka	Hematite, Magnetite
Western Belt (Goa-Maharashtra-Karnataka)	Codli, Pissurlem, Sonshi	Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka	Hematite
Southern Belt (Tamil Nadu-Kerala)	Kudremukh, Salem	Tamil Nadu, Kerala	Magnetite

 Major Iron Ore Mines and Their appx Production:

Mine Name	Location (District, State)	Production Capacity (MT/year)	Ore Type	Key Players(Company/Owner)
Noamundi	West Singhbhum, Jharkhand	10	Hematite	Tata Steel
Bailadila	Dantewada, Chhattisgarh	40	Hematite	NMDC
Kiriburu	West Singhbhum, Jharkhand	6	Hematite	SAIL
Donimalai	Bellary, Karnataka	7	Hematite	NMDC
Kudremukh	Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka	6 (Defunct)	Magnetite	KIOCL
Codli	North Goa, Goa	7	Hematite	Vedanta

 Major Ports Handling Iron Ore Exports:

Port Name	Location (State)	Annual Iron Ore Handling Capacity (MT)	Key Export Destinations
Paradip Port	Odisha	20	China, Japan, South Korea
Visakhapatnam Port	Andhra Pradesh	30	China, Japan, Taiwan
Mormugao Port	Goa	20	China, Japan
New Mangalore Port	Karnataka	15	China, South Korea
Haldia Port	West Bengal	5	China, Taiwan

 

2. Manganese Ore

Manganese is critical mineral used primarily in steelmaking (90%) where it acts as a deoxidizing and desulfurizing agent. It is also used in battery manufacturing, chemicals, alloys.

Types of Manganese Ore Found in India:

Type	Manganese Content (%)	Characteristics	Occurrence in India
Pyrolusite	60-63%	Soft, black, metallic luster, used in batteries and alloys	Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka
Psilomelane	45-60%	Hard, amorphous, contains hydrated oxides	Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra
Braunite	50-55%	Crystalline, high silica content	Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat
Cryptomelane	40-50%	Found in residual and sedimentary deposits	Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh
Manganite	35-45%	Poor-grade ore with high iron and silica content	Rajasthan, Gujarat

Pyrolusite and Psilomelane are most valuable manganese ores with high Mn content and industrial usability. India’s manganese ore reserves (~160 million tonnes) contribute ~10% of global resources.

Manganese Ore Reserves by State (Percentage Share in Total Reserves wise Ranking):

State	Share of Reserves Ranking
Odisha	1
Karnataka	2
Madhya Pradesh	3
Maharashtra	4
Andhra Pradesh	5
Others (Jharkhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan)	6

• Odisha is the leading producer with mines in Sundargarh, Kendujhar, Rayagada.
• Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have major deposits mainly in the Sandur Belt and Balaghat district.

Major Manganese Ore Belts and Mines in India:

Manganese ore is found in Proterozoic sedimentary sequences particularly in the Dharwar Craton and the Eastern Ghats Belt.

Manganese Ore Belt	Major Mines	States Covered	Dominant Ore Type
Odisha Belt	Barbil, Joda, Gandhamardan, Sundargarh	Odisha	Psilomelane, Pyrolusite
Balaghat-Bhandara Belt	Ukwa, Balaghat, Tirodi, Kandri	Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra	Pyrolusite, Braunite
Sandur-Hospet Belt	Sandur, Ramandurg	Karnataka	Psilomelane, Pyrolusite
Nagpur-Khandhar Belt	Mansar, Satak, Gumgaon	Maharashtra	Braunite, Pyrolusite
Visakhapatnam-Srikakulam Belt	Garividi, Chipurupalle	Andhra Pradesh	Cryptomelane, Manganite

 Major Manganese Ore Mines and Their  appx Production:

Mine Name	Location (District, State)	Production Capacity (MT/year)	Ore Type	Key Players(Company/Owner)
Balaghat	Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh	5	Pyrolusite	MOIL Ltd.
Ukwa	Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh	3	Pyrolusite	MOIL Ltd.
Tirodi	Bhandara, Maharashtra	2	Braunite	MOIL Ltd.
Kandri	Nagpur, Maharashtra	1.5	Pyrolusite	MOIL Ltd.
Sandur	Bellary, Karnataka	3	Psilomelane	Private Operators
Joda-Barbil	Kendujhar, Odisha	6	Psilomelane	Tata Steel, OMC

• MOIL Ltd. (Manganese Ore India Limited)is India’s largest manganese producer contributing ~50% of total production.
• Odisha’s Joda-Barbil minessupply manganese ore for domestic steel plants.
• Balaghat and Sandur are high-grade manganese mines crucial for India’s ferroalloy and steel industry.

Major Ports Handling Manganese Ore Exports:

Port Name	Location (State)	Annual Manganese Ore Handling Capacity (MT)	Key Export Destinations
Paradip Port	Odisha	12	China, Japan, South Korea
Visakhapatnam Port	Andhra Pradesh	8	China, Taiwan, Vietnam
Mormugao Port	Goa	6	China, South Korea
Mumbai Port	Maharashtra	4	China, Japan
Kolkata Port	West Bengal	3	China, Taiwan

3. Bauxite

Bauxite (Al₂O₃·nH₂O) is primary ore for aluminum production. It is also used in refractories, abrasives, cement, chemicals. India has 5th largest bauxite reserves (~3.9 billion tonnes) and contributes ~5% of global production.

Types of Bauxite Found in India:

Type	Alumina (Al₂O₃) Content (%)	Silica (SiO₂) Content (%)	Characteristics	Occurrence in India
Gibbsite (Trihydrate)	50-55%	Low	Easily refined	Odisha, Jharkhand, Gujarat
Boehmite (Monohydrate)	45-50%	Moderate	Requires high-pressure digestion	Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
Diaspore (Monohydrate)	35-45%	High	Difficult to process	Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh

Gibbsite-rich bauxite is major for aluminum refining. Monohydrate bauxite (Boehmite & Diaspore) requires advanced processing.

Bauxite Reserves by State (Percentage Share in Total Reserves wise Ranking):

State	Share of Reserves Ranking
Odisha	1
Andhra Pradesh	2
Gujarat	3
Maharashtra	4
Madhya Pradesh	5
Chhattisgarh	6
Tamil Nadu & Others	7

 Major Bauxite Ore Belts:

Bauxite Ore Belt	Major Mines	States Covered	Dominant Ore Type
Eastern Ghats Belt	Panchpatmali, Kodingamali, Gandhamardan	Odisha, Andhra Pradesh	Gibbsite
Western Belt	Gadhsisa, Kachchh, Okha, Porbandar	Gujarat, Maharashtra	Gibbsite, Boehmite
Central India Belt	Amarkantak, Maikal Hills	Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh	Diaspore
Southern Belt	Yercaud, Kolli Hills, Nilgiris	Tamil Nadu, Kerala	Boehmite

Major Bauxite Mines in India:

Mine Name	Location (District, State)	Production Capacity (MT/year)	Ore Type	Key Players(Company/Owner)
Panchpatmali	Koraput, Odisha	6	Gibbsite	NALCO
Kodingamali	Rayagada, Odisha	3	Gibbsite	OMC
Gandhamardan	Sambalpur, Odisha	2	Gibbsite	OMC
Gadhsisa	Kachchh, Gujarat	1.5	Boehmite	GMDC
Amarkantak	Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh	1	Diaspore	HINDALCO
Kolhapur	Kolhapur, Maharashtra	1.2	Boehmite	Private Operators

NALCO operates Panchpatmali mine India’s largest bauxite mine. HINDALCO and NALCO are the major players in India’s bauxite industry.

Major Alumina Refineries in India:

Bauxite is processed in alumina refineries before being converted to aluminum through electrolysis.

Refinery Name	Location (State)	Capacity (MT/year)	Company	Bauxite Source
Damanjodi Refinery	Odisha	2.1	NALCO	Panchpatmali
Muri Refinery	Jharkhand	0.45	HINDALCO	Jharkhand Mines
Belgaum Refinery	Karnataka	0.35	HINDALCO	Maharashtra Mines
Utkal Alumina	Odisha	1.5	HINDALCO	Kodingamali
Korba Refinery	Chhattisgarh	0.2	BALCO	Madhya Pradesh

Major Ports Handling Bauxite Exports:

Port Name	Location (State)	Annual Bauxite Handling Capacity (MT)	Key Export Destinations
Paradip Port	Odisha	10	China, UAE
Visakhapatnam Port	Andhra Pradesh	6	China, Malaysia
Kandla Port	Gujarat	4	China, Middle East
Mumbai Port	Maharashtra	3	Japan, UAE
Mormugao Port	Goa	2	China, Vietnam

4. Copper

Copper (Cu) is strategic metal used in electrical wiring, electronics, construction, transport, alloys (brass & bronze) & renewable energy technologies. India’s total copper ore reserves are estimated at 1.5 billion tonnes & India contributes ~2% to global copper production.

Types of Copper Ore Found in India:

Type	Copper (Cu) Content (%)	Associated Minerals	Occurrence in India
Chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂)	25-35%	Iron, Sulfur, Gold	Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand
Bornite (Cu₅FeS₄)	50-60%	Sulfur, Iron	Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh
Chalcocite (Cu₂S)	60-80%	Silver, Sulfur	Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka
Malachite (Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃)	20-30%	Carbonates	Jharkhand, Odisha

Chalcopyrite is the most common copper ore in India.

Copper Reserves by State (Percentage Share in Total Reserves wise Ranking):

State	Share of Reserves  Ranking
Rajasthan	1
Madhya Pradesh	2
Jharkhand	3
Andhra Pradesh	4

Major Copper Ore Belts:

Copper Ore Belt	Major Mines	States Covered	Dominant Ore Type
Aravalli Copper Belt	Khetri, Kolihan, Banwas	Rajasthan	Chalcopyrite, Bornite
Singhbhum Copper Belt	Mosabani, Rakha, Surda	Jharkhand	Chalcopyrite, Malachite
Malanjkhand Belt	Malanjkhand	Madhya Pradesh	Chalcopyrite, Chalcocite
Agni Gundala Belt	Tummalapalle, Agnigundala	Andhra Pradesh	Bornite, Chalcocite

Major Copper Mines in India:

Mine Name	Location (District, State)	Production Capacity (MT/year)	Ore Type	Key Players (Company/Owner)
Khetri	Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan	1.5	Chalcopyrite	HCL
Kolihan	Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan	1	Chalcopyrite	HCL
Banwas	Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan	0.7	Bornite	HCL
Malanjkhand	Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh	3.5	Chalcopyrite, Chalcocite	HCL
Mosabani	Singhbhum, Jharkhand	0.6	Chalcopyrite	HCL
Surda	Singhbhum, Jharkhand	0.3	Chalcopyrite	HCL

Major Copper Smelters & Refineries in India:

Refinery Name	Location (State)	Capacity (MT/year)	Company	Ore Source
Khetri Copper Complex	Rajasthan	0.3	HCL	Khetri, Kolihan
Malanjkhand Refinery	Madhya Pradesh	1.2	HCL	Malanjkhand
Birla Copper (Dahej)	Gujarat	5	Hindalco	Imported Ore
Sterlite Copper (Thoothukudi)	Tamil Nadu	4.2	Vedanta (Closed)	Imported Ore
Jhagadia Copper	Gujarat	0.5	SWIL	Imported Ore

• HCL operates India’s only primary copper smelters using domestic ore.
• Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper in Tamil Nadu was closed in 2018 due to environmental concerns.
• Hindalco’s Dahej refinery is India’s largest processing imported concentrates.

Major Ports:

India imports more refined copper than it exports due to limited domestic ore processing capacity.

Port Name	Location (State)	Annual Copper Handling Capacity (MT)	Key Trading Partners
Mundra Port	Gujarat	3	Chile, Australia
Kandla Port	Gujarat	2.5	China, Japan
Paradip Port	Odisha	2	China, UAE
Visakhapatnam Port	Andhra Pradesh	1.5	Malaysia, South Korea
Mumbai Port	Maharashtra	1.2	UAE, South Africa

5. Mica

Mica is a non-metallic mineral known for its heat resistance, insulation properties & flexibility. It is widely used in electrical & electronic industries, paints, cosmetics, construction, aerospace.

Types of Mica Found in India:

Type of Mica	Properties	Major Uses	Occurrence in India
Muscovite (KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂)	Transparent, dielectric, heat-resistant	Electrical insulation, cosmetics	Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan
Phlogopite (KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂)	Darker, high-temperature stability	Foundry, welding electrodes	Tamil Nadu, Bihar
Biotite (K(Mg,Fe)₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂)	Black, iron-rich, conductive	Construction, paint industry	Jharkhand, Karnataka

Muscovite is most valuable mica type in India. India was historically the largest producer of mica but now contributes ~10% of global production.

Mica Reserves by State (Percentage Share in Total Reserves wise Ranking):

State	Share of Reserves Ranking
Jharkhand	1
Andhra Pradesh	2
Rajasthan	3
Tamil Nadu & Others	4

Rajasthan produces high-quality muscovite mica.

Major Mica Belts:

Mica Belt	Major Mines	States Covered	Dominant Mica Type
Kodarma-Giridih Belt	Kodarma, Domchanch	Jharkhand	Muscovite
Nellore Belt	Gudur, Brahmanapalli	Andhra Pradesh	Muscovite
Jaipur-Bhilwara Belt	Bhilwara, Ajmer	Rajasthan	Muscovite
Tamil Nadu Belt	Sivaganga, Madurai	Tamil Nadu	Phlogopite

• The Kodarma-Giridih belt (Jharkhand) is most productive mica region in India.
• Nellore (Andhra Pradesh) produces high-grade sheet mica used in exports.

Major Mica Mines in India:

Mine Name	Location (District, State)	Production Capacity (MT/year)	Mica Type	Key Players
Kodarma Mine	Kodarma, Jharkhand	1,500	Muscovite	Government & Private
Domchanch Mine	Giridih, Jharkhand	1,200	Muscovite	Private operators
Gudur Mine	Nellore, Andhra Pradesh	1,800	Muscovite	Private operators
Bhilwara Mines	Bhilwara, Rajasthan	800	Muscovite	Small-scale units
Sivaganga Mine	Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu	700	Phlogopite	Government & Private

• Jharkhand’s Kodarma region was once called the “Mica Capital of the World”.
• Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district is now the largest producer.

Major Mica Processing Units in India:

India has a strong mica processing industry particularly in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan.

Processing Unit Name	Location (State)	Processing Capacity (MT/year)	Products
Jharkhand Mica Processing Plant	Kodarma, Jharkhand	3,000	Mica Sheets, Powder
Nellore Mica Factory	Nellore, Andhra Pradesh	4,000	Processed Mica Flakes
Rajasthan Mica Industries	Bhilwara, Rajasthan	2,500	Insulating Mica Parts

Major Ports Handling Mica Exports:

Port Name	Location (State)	Annual Mica Handling Capacity (MT)	Key Trading Partners
Kolkata Port	West Bengal	5,000	USA, China, Japan
Chennai Port	Tamil Nadu	3,500	South Korea, Germany
Visakhapatnam Port	Andhra Pradesh	3,000	France, UK
Mundra Port	Gujarat	2,000	European Union

 

6. Gold

Gold is a precious metal used in jewelry, investment, electronics & aerospace applications. It is also asset in foreign reserves & is demanded in India’s cultural & economic ecosystem.

Types of Gold Deposits Found in India:

Type of Gold Deposit	Characteristics	Occurrence in India
Primary (Lode) Gold	Found in quartz veins within metamorphic rocks	Karnataka, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Secondary (Placer) Gold	Found in alluvial deposits in riverbeds	Kerala, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh
Refractory Gold	Gold locked in sulfide ores, requiring special extraction	Karnataka, Rajasthan, West Bengal

• Primary gold deposits account for majority of India’s gold reserves.
• Placer gold is extracted on a small scale from river sands.

Gold Reserves by State (Percentage Share in Total Reserves wise Ranking):

State	Share of Reserves Ranking
Karnataka	1
Rajasthan	2
Andhra Pradesh	3
Jharkhand	4
Tamil Nadu & Others	5

• Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh have major untapped gold deposits.

Major Gold Belts:

Gold Belt	Major Mines	States Covered	Deposit Type
Kolar Gold Field Belt	Kolar, Champion Reef	Karnataka	Lode Gold
Hutti Gold Belt	Hutti, Uti, Hirabuddini	Karnataka	Lode Gold
Ramgiri Gold Belt	Ramagiri, Bisanatham	Andhra Pradesh	Lode Gold
Sonapahari Belt	Parasi, Bhitar Dari	Jharkhand	Lode Gold
Jonnagiri Gold Belt	Jonnagiri Mine	Andhra Pradesh	Lode Gold
Jagpura-Banswara Belt	Jagpura Mine	Rajasthan	Refractory Gold

• Kolar Gold Fields (Karnataka) were historically India’s largest goldcproducing region but are now closed.
• Hutti Gold Mines (Karnataka) is India’s only active large-scale gold mine.

Major Gold Mines in India:

Mine Name	Location (District, State)	Production Capacity (kg/year)	Mining Company
Hutti Gold Mine	Raichur, Karnataka	2,000	Hutti Gold Mines Co. Ltd.
Uti Gold Mine	Raichur, Karnataka	700	Hutti Gold Mines Co. Ltd.
Hirabuddini Gold Mine	Raichur, Karnataka	500	Hutti Gold Mines Co. Ltd.
Jonnagiri Gold Mine	Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh	500	Deccan Gold Mines Ltd.
Sonapahari Mine	Ranchi, Jharkhand	400	Private & Government
Jagpura Mine	Banswara, Rajasthan	300	Rajasthan State Mines

• Hutti Gold Mine is India’s largest & only operational primary gold mine.
• Jonnagiri (Andhra Pradesh) is a developing private-sector gold project.

Gold Refining and Processing Units in India:

India imports major portion of its gold demand necessitating large-scale refining.

Refinery Name	Location (State)	Refining Capacity (tons/year)	Ownership
MMTC-PAMP Gold Refinery	Haryana	100	Joint Venture
Hindustan Gold Refinery	Maharashtra	80	Private
Rajesh Exports Refinery	Karnataka	60	Private
Kolkata Gold Refinery	West Bengal	50	Government
Kundan Gold Refinery	Delhi	45	Private

• MMTC-PAMP is India’s largest gold refinery refining both imported & domestic gold.
• Gold refining is concentrated in states with strong industrial hubs like Maharashtra, Karnataka & Haryana.

Major Ports Handling Gold Imports:

Port Name	Location (State)	Annual Gold Handling Capacity (tons)	Key Trading Partners
Mumbai Port	Maharashtra	300	UAE, Switzerland
Chennai Port	Tamil Nadu	250	South Africa, UK
Kolkata Port	West Bengal	200	Australia, UAE
Delhi Air Cargo	Delhi	180	Singapore, Switzerland
Bangalore Air Cargo	Karnataka	150	South Africa, USA

7. Silver

Used in jewelry, electronics, solar panels, photography, antimicrobial applications & currency reserves. India does not have large silver reserves & meets its demand through both domestic mining & imports.

Types of Silver Deposits in India:

Type of Silver Deposit	Characteristics	Occurrence in India
Primary Silver Deposits	Found in native form, but rare	Rajasthan, Karnataka
Polymetallic Deposits	Occurs as a by-product of lead, zinc, and copper mining	Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat
Epithermal Deposits	Found in hydrothermal veins with gold and other minerals	Jharkhand, Karnataka
Recycled Silver	Extracted from scrap, old electronics, and jewelry	Major urban centers (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai)

Major Silver Mines and Fields in India:

Mine/Region	State	Type	Associated Minerals
Zawar Mines	Rajasthan	Polymetallic	Lead, Zinc, Silver
Sindesar Khurd Mine	Rajasthan	Polymetallic	Lead, Zinc, Silver
Rajpura-Dariba Mine	Rajasthan	Polymetallic	Lead, Zinc, Silver
Hutti Gold Fields	Karnataka	Epithermal	Gold, Silver
Tummalapalle Mine	Andhra Pradesh	Uranium-bearing	Silver (by-product)

• Rajasthan accounts for over 90% of India’s silver production mainly from Hindustan Zinc Limited mines.
• Other minor occurrencesare found in Jharkhand, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka.

Major Silver Processing and Refining Facilities:

Refinery	Location	Company	Capacity & Features
Chanderiya Smelting Complex	Rajasthan	Hindustan Zinc Ltd (Vedanta)	Largest silver producer in India, part of zinc-lead refining
Debari Zinc Smelter	Rajasthan	Hindustan Zinc Ltd	Secondary silver production
Pantnagar Refinery	Uttarakhand	Hindustan Zinc Ltd	Silver refining from by-products
Hutti Gold Refinery	Karnataka	Hutti Gold Mines Ltd	Recovers silver as a gold refining by-product

Major Ports for Silver Trade and Imports:

Port	State	Role
Mumbai Port	Maharashtra	Largest silver import hub
Chennai Port	Tamil Nadu	Handles silver imports from Southeast Asia
Kolkata Port	West Bengal	Imports silver from Latin America
Kandla Port	Gujarat	Entry point for silver bullion
Nhava Sheva (JNPT)	Maharashtra	Largest container port handling silver

• India imports a significant portion of its silver needs mainly from Mexico, China, Australia, UK.
• Ports like Mumbai, Chennai, Kandlaplay major role in silver importation & distribution.

8. Lead

• Used in batteries (especially for vehicles & backup power), alloys, cable sheathing, radiation shielding, pigments.
• India is a major consumer but a limited producerof lead.  A significant portion is imported to meet domestic demand.

Types of Lead Deposits in India:

Type of Lead Deposit	Characteristics	Occurrence in India
Primary Lead Deposits	Found as galena (PbS) in sulfide ores	Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Polymetallic Deposits	Lead occurs with zinc, silver, and copper	Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha
Recycled Lead	Extracted from used batteries and scrap metal	Urban centers (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai)

Major Lead Mines and Fields in India:

Mine/Region	State	Type	Associated Minerals
Zawar Mines	Rajasthan	Polymetallic	Lead, Zinc, Silver
Sindesar Khurd Mine	Rajasthan	Polymetallic	Lead, Zinc, Silver
Rajpura-Dariba Mine	Rajasthan	Polymetallic	Lead, Zinc, Silver
Rampura-Agucha Mine	Rajasthan	Polymetallic	Lead, Zinc
Sargipalli Mine	Odisha	Primary	Lead, Zinc
Mokhana Mine	Gujarat	Polymetallic	Lead, Zinc

• Rajasthan is India’s leading lead producer contributing over 85% of the total production.
• Odisha, Gujarat, Andhra Pradeshhave minor deposits.

Major Lead Processing and Refining Facilities:

Refinery	Location	Company	Capacity & Features
Chanderiya Smelting Complex	Rajasthan	Hindustan Zinc Ltd (Vedanta)	Largest lead smelting facility in India
Debari Zinc Smelter	Rajasthan	Hindustan Zinc Ltd	Produces lead as a by-product
Pantnagar Refinery	Uttarakhand	Hindustan Zinc Ltd	Processes refined lead
Hindustan Lead Refinery	Tamil Nadu	Private players	Secondary lead processing
Exide & Amara Raja Recycling Plants	Various locations	Exide, Amara Raja	Major lead recycling units from batteries

• Recycled leadforms major portion of India’s lead supply mainly from used batteries.

Major Ports for Lead Trade and Imports:

Port	State	Role
Mumbai Port	Maharashtra	Handles major lead imports
Chennai Port	Tamil Nadu	Imports lead from Southeast Asia
Kolkata Port	West Bengal	Key port for lead trade from China & Australia
Kandla Port	Gujarat	Entry point for lead bullion
Nhava Sheva (JNPT)	Maharashtra	Major container port for lead processing units

• India imports lead mainly from China, Australia, Peru, Mexico.
• Ports like Mumbai, Chennai, Kandlafacilitate trade of lead ore and refined lead.

9. Zinc

• Zinc is critical metal used in galvanizing iron and steel, manufacturing alloys, batteries as a rust-resistant coating.
• It also plays major role in production of brass, zinc oxide & is used in automobiles, construction, electrical industries.
• India is among leading producers of zincglobally with major  portion of demand being met through domestic production.

Types of Zinc Deposits in India:

Type of Zinc Deposit	Characteristics	Occurrence in India
Primary Zinc Deposits	Found as sphalerite (ZnS) in sulfide ores	Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh
Polymetallic Deposits	Zinc occurs with lead, silver, copper, and iron	Rajasthan, Odisha, Gujarat
Secondary Zinc (Recycling)	Zinc recycled from scrap and old materials	Urban centers (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata)

Major Zinc Mines and Fields in India:

Mine/Region	State	Type	Associated Minerals
Rampura-Agucha Mine	Rajasthan	Polymetallic	Zinc, Lead, Silver
Sindesar Khurd Mine	Rajasthan	Polymetallic	Zinc, Lead, Silver
Rajpura-Dariba Mine	Rajasthan	Polymetallic	Zinc, Lead, Silver
Zawar Mines	Rajasthan	Polymetallic	Zinc, Lead
Rampur-Bhilai Mines	Andhra Pradesh	Primary	Zinc
Kayad Mine	Rajasthan	Primary	Zinc
Sargipalli Mine	Odisha	Primary	Zinc, Lead
Mokhana Mine	Gujarat	Polymetallic	Zinc, Lead

• Rajasthan is largest producer of zinc contributing around 75-80% of total zinc productionin India.
• Other stateslike Odisha, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh also major zinc deposits though they contribute relatively less to overall production.

Major Zinc Processing and Refining Facilities:

Refinery	Location	Company	Capacity & Features
Chanderiya Zinc Smelter	Rajasthan	Hindustan Zinc Ltd (Vedanta)	One of the largest zinc refining plants in the world
Debari Zinc Smelter	Rajasthan	Hindustan Zinc Ltd	Produces zinc, lead, and silver
Pantnagar Zinc Refinery	Uttarakhand	Hindustan Zinc Ltd	Focused on producing high-quality zinc
Chittoor Zinc Smelter	Andhra Pradesh	Hindustan Zinc Ltd	Secondary refining plant for zinc
Exide & Amara Raja Recycling Plants	Various locations	Exide, Amara Raja	Processes zinc scrap and produces refined zinc

• Hindustan Zinc Ltd (Vedanta Group)is leading player in India’s zinc refining industry accounting for nearly 90% of total refined zinc production.
• Zinc recyclingis also a growing industry in India mainly focusing on used batteries and industrial scrap.

Major Ports for Zinc Trade and Imports:

Port	State	Role
Mumbai Port	Maharashtra	Handles major zinc imports
Chennai Port	Tamil Nadu	Imports zinc concentrates and refined zinc
Kolkata Port	West Bengal	Key port for zinc imports from Southeast Asia
Kandla Port	Gujarat	Entry point for zinc concentrate
Nhava Sheva (JNPT)	Maharashtra	Major port for zinc trade and exports

• India imports significant quantities of zinc particularly from countries like China, Australia, Peru.
• Ports such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kandlahandle zinc concentrates & refined zinc for both imports and exports.

10. Limestone

• Limestone is sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) essential for the cement industry, lime production & as building material.
• India is among largest producers of limestone & plays vital role in infrastructure development.
• Applications: Construction (building material), steel industry(fluxing agent), chemical industry (production of lime, calcium carbide) & agriculture (soil conditioner).

Types of Limestone Deposits:

Type of Limestone	Characteristics	Occurrences in India
Cement Grade Limestone	High CaO content, used in cement manufacturing	Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh
Chemical Grade Limestone	High purity, used for industrial purposes	Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu
Flux Grade Limestone	Low iron content, used in steelmaking	Karnataka, Odisha, Bihar
High-Grade Limestone	High calcium content, often used in agriculture	Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh

Major Limestone Mines and Fields in India:

Mine/Region	State	Type	Associated Minerals
Guna Limestone Mine	Madhya Pradesh	Cement Grade	Calcium Carbonate, Clay
Jaisalmer Limestone	Rajasthan	Cement Grade	Calcium Carbonate
Rajpura-Dariba	Rajasthan	Chemical Grade	Calcium Carbonate
Malkapur Limestone	Maharashtra	Flux Grade	Calcium Carbonate
Kota Limestone Mine	Rajasthan	Cement Grade	Calcium Carbonate
Banaskantha Mines	Gujarat	Cement Grade	Calcium Carbonate
Limbodara Mines	Gujarat	Cement Grade	Calcium Carbonate
Pudupalayam Mine	Tamil Nadu	High-Grade	Calcium Carbonate
Sailana Limestone Mine	Madhya Pradesh	Cement Grade	Calcium Carbonate

• Rajasthancontributes largest share to India’s cement grade limestone production while Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh are also key producers.
• Odisha, Karnataka, Biharfocus on flux-grade limestone which is critical for steelmaking.

Major Limestone Processing and Refining Facilities:

Refinery/Plant	Location	Capacity & Features
UltraTech Cement Plant	Rajasthan	Largest cement plant in India, uses limestone extensively
Ambuja Cement Plant	Gujarat	Key producer of cement-grade limestone
Dalmia Cement Factory	Tamil Nadu	Significant consumer of limestone
Jindal Steel Plant	Odisha	Uses limestone as flux in steel production

• UltraTech Cementand Ambuja Cement are two of largest companies utilizing limestone for cement production.
• Steel plantslike Jindal Steel use limestone as a flux to remove impurities from steel.

Major Ports for Limestone Trade and Imports:

Port	State	Role
Kandla Port	Gujarat	Handles limestone exports to Asia and Europe
Mundra Port	Gujarat	Import and export of limestone for cement industry
Chennai Port	Tamil Nadu	Limestone imports for cement and steel industries
Visakhapatnam Port	Andhra Pradesh	Handles exports and imports of limestone

• Ports such as Kandla, Mundra, Chennaiare crucial for trade of limestone especially for cement production and industrial purposes.

11. Dolomite

Dolomite is sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium magnesium carbonate (CaMg(CO₃)₂). It is used in iron and steel manufacturing as a refractory material in the chemical industry & for agricultural purposes as soil conditioner.

• Dolomite is also used in production of glass& ceramics making it an important industrial mineral.
• India is among largest producers of dolomite contributing significantly to global supplyof dolomite for various industries.

Types of Dolomite Deposits:

Type of Dolomite	Characteristics	Occurrences in India
High-Grade Dolomite	Used for refractory purposes, high MgO content	Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
Chemical Grade Dolomite	Used in the chemical industry	Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat
Limestone-Dolomite Mix	Mixture of limestone and dolomite, used in various industries	Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh

Major Dolomite Mines and Fields in India:

Mine/Region	State	Type	Associated Minerals
Durg Dolomite Mines	Chhattisgarh	High-Grade	Magnesium Carbonate
Banswara Dolomite Mine	Rajasthan	Chemical Grade	Magnesium Carbonate
Kota Dolomite Mines	Rajasthan	High-Grade	Magnesium Carbonate
Narsinghpur Dolomite Mines	Madhya Pradesh	High-Grade	Magnesium Carbonate
Kalyan Dolomite Mine	Maharashtra	Chemical Grade	Magnesium Carbonate
Raigarh Dolomite Mines	Chhattisgarh	High-Grade	Magnesium Carbonate

• Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradeshare major producers of high-grade dolomite suitable for refractory & steel industries.
• Maharashtraand Gujarat produce chemical grade dolomite used in industrial applications.

Major Dolomite Processing and Refining Facilities:

Refinery/Plant	Location	Capacity & Features
Jindal Steel Plant	Odisha	Uses dolomite as a flux in steel production
Rourkela Steel Plant	Odisha	Major user of dolomite in steelmaking
Tata Steel Plant	Jharkhand	Uses dolomite in the production of steel

• Steel plantslike Jindal Steel, Rourkela, Tata Steel are primary consumers of dolomite as flux in iron and steel production.

Major Ports for Dolomite Trade and Imports:

Port	State	Role
Paradip Port	Odisha	Handles dolomite exports and imports
Mumbai Port	Maharashtra	Key port for dolomite exports
Chennai Port	Tamil Nadu	Handles dolomite trade for industrial purposes
Kochi Port	Kerala	Dolomite imports and exports for industrial use

• Ports like Paradip, Mumbai, Chennaihandle dolomite trade especially for use in steel, chemical, refractory industries.

12. Tin

• Tin is soft, silvery-white metalwidely used in soldering, electrical components, packaging (tin cans) & alloy production.
• India has small but significant tin resources contributing to global supply though it is a relatively minor producer compared to other countries.
• Tin is also used in coating steel, chemicals, electronic components.

Tin Deposits and Occurrences in India:

• India’s tin resourcesare primarily located in Jharkhand, Rajasthan, parts of Kerala.
• The producing regionsfocus on tin as by product of mining other minerals like copper and gold.

Major Tin Mines and Fields in India:

Mine/Region	State	Type	Associated Minerals
Rajasthan Tin Mine	Rajasthan	Primary Tin Deposit	Tin (Sn), Mica
Hazaribagh Mines	Jharkhand	Tin Occurrence	Tin, Copper, Gold
Wayanad Mine	Kerala	Tin Occurrence	Tin, Gold
Sundergarh Mine	Odisha	Tin as a By-Product	Tin (Sn), Copper, Iron

• Jharkhandand Rajasthan are primary regions where tin is either mined directly or occurs as a by-product in other mineral extractions.

Tin Processing and Refining Facilities:

Refinery/Plant	Location	Capacity & Features
Hindustan Zinc Ltd.	Rajasthan	Processes tin as a by-product of zinc and copper refining
Indian Tin Works	West Bengal	Refines tin extracted from various Indian sources

• Hindustan Zincprocesses tin as a by-product during zinc and copper extraction.
• Indian Tin Worksis one of key refineries for tin in India.

Major Ports for Tin Trade and Exports:

Port	State	Role
Kochi Port	Kerala	Imports and exports tin and its products
Mangalore Port	Karnataka	Handles tin trade and exports to Southeast Asia
Mumbai Port	Maharashtra	Major port for tin and tin product trade

• Kochi, Mangalore, Mumbaiare key ports for import and export of tin in India.

13. Graphite

• Graphite is naturally occurring form of carbon essential in various industrial applicationssuch as lubricants, batteries, electrodes, steel manufacturing, refractories.
• India is one of top graphite producers with significant deposits of high-gradeand medium-grade graphite used for industrial purposes.
• India’s share in global graphite productionis considerable though countries like China dominate global reserves.

Types of Graphite Deposits in India:

• India produces both crystallineand amorphous graphite with crystalline type being more valuable for industrial applications like battery production and electronics.

Major Graphite Mines and Fields in India:

Mine/Region	State	Type	Associated Minerals
Lohari Mine	Rajasthan	Crystalline Graphite	Graphite, Mica
Kawal Mines	Andhra Pradesh	Crystalline Graphite	Graphite, Quartz
Khundini Mine	Jharkhand	Amorphous Graphite	Graphite, Coal
Sundergarh Graphite Mines	Odisha	Crystalline Graphite	Graphite, Quartz

• Rajasthanand Andhra Pradesh are significant producers of crystalline graphite which is valuable for industrial purposes such as battery production.
• Jharkhandfocuses on amorphous graphite which has applications in lubricants and other industries.

Graphite Processing and Refining Facilities:

Refinery/Plant	Location	Capacity & Features
Graphite India Ltd.	West Bengal	Leading producer of synthetic graphite for battery and electrode industries
National Mineral Development Corporation	Hyderabad	Processes graphite for use in various industrial applications

• Graphite India Ltd. produces synthetic graphite for industrial applications and batteries.
• NMDC also processes natural graphite for diverse industrial uses.

Major Ports for Graphite Trade and Exports:

Port	State	Role
Visakhapatnam Port	Andhra Pradesh	Handles graphite exports to international markets
Kolkata Port	West Bengal	Exports natural graphite and its products
Chennai Port	Tamil Nadu	Exports graphite primarily to East Asia and Europe

Visakhapatnam and Kolkata are primary ports handling graphite exports in India especially to China and other Asian markets.