Mineral / fuel deposit

Ballari (iron ore)

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Overview

Ballari (Bellary) in Karnataka is a major iron ore district.

It is in Karnataka and is known for high-grade haematite.

Illegal mining scandals here led to Supreme Court curbs in 2011.

Mining resumed later under strict caps.

The Sandur hills of the Ballari–Hosapete belt contain banded iron formations of the Dharwar group, among the oldest rocks in the peninsula.

After the 2011 halt, the Court graded mines into categories by the extent of violations, cancelled the worst leases and set annual production ceilings for the district.

Much of the ore goes to steel plants nearby, including the JSW works at Toranagallu.

A common exam trap is to place Ballari in Andhra Pradesh; it is in Karnataka, although the belt runs close to the state border.

Geography and key facts

  • Karnataka
  • Iron ore
  • Haematite
  • 2011 SC ban
  • Caps on output

Why it matters for UPSC

Asked on iron ore.

Note for UPSC

Karnataka; a major iron-ore district.

Questions match minerals and fields with their states and regions.

Asked in PYQs

No question in our Prelims bank names Ballari (iron ore) yet.

Key facts

Type
Mineral / fuel deposit
State / UT
Karnataka
Kind
iron ore
Coordinates
15.140°N, 76.919°E

From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.

In the lessons

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Other places in Karnataka

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