India is the second largest country of iron ore deposits after Russia. Five types of iron ores are found in India and they are magnetite, hematite, ciderite and laterite. The total iron ore deposit in India is 2300 crore tonne which is 20% of the world’s deposit. Out of total iron ore deposit in India magnetite (60 to 70% iron) is 8%, hematite (70 to 80% iron) is 85% and rest 7% is composed of other types of iron ore. 

Production in distribution of iron ore in India is as follows:

1. Odisha: Odisha has 30% of the country’s iron ore deposits and it produces about 28% of iron in India. Deposits of hematite iron ore are present in-Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh and Keonjhar districts. Gurumahisini, Sulempat and Badam hills of Mayurbhanj district, Baspani, Thakurani and Kiruburu of Keonjhar district are the main mines of iron in Odisha. Iron ore from Odisha is exported to Japan and other countries from ports at Vishakhapatnam and Paradip. 

2. Karnataka: Karnataka has 25% of country’s iron ore deposit and it produces 26% of iron. Deposits of hematite iron ore are present in Bellary, Chikmaglur, Chitradurga and Shimoga districts. Bababudan hills, Kalahari, Kemangudi and Kudremukh are the major mines of iron in Karnataka. Iron and steel plants are present at Bhadravati and Vijaynagar. 

3. Chhattisgarh: This is the third largest producer of iron in India. Chhattisgarh has 16% of iron ore deposits in India and it contributes 15.02% of total iron production. Deposits of hematite ore are present in Bastar, Durg, Dantewada, Bilaspur and Rajnandgaon districts.