Manganese in India

1. Overview:

Manganese (Mn) is a hard, brittle, silvery-grey metal, occurring naturally in combination with iron and other minerals. It is an essential input for steel-making, improving strength, toughness, hardness, and workability. India is currently a major importer of manganese ore, despite having significant domestic reserves.2. Major Manganese Ores:

Pyrolusite (MnO₂): ~63.2% Mn
Psilomelane: 45–60% Mn
Manganite (Mn₂O₃·H₂O): ~62.4% Mn
Braunite (3Mn₂O₃·MnSiO₈): ~62% Mn, 10% SiO₂

3. Geological Distribution:

Gondite Series (Archaean): Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat, Chhindwara, Jhabua), Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha
Kodurite Series (Archaean): Odisha (Ganjam, Koraput), Andhra Pradesh (Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam)

4. Reserves & Resources (2020):

Total: 503.62 million tonnes (MT)
Reserves: 75.04 MT
Remaining Resources: 428.58 MT
Statewise Share: Odisha (34%), Karnataka (24%), Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra (12% each), Goa (7%), Andhra Pradesh (6%), Jharkhand (3%)

5. Production (2022-23):

Total Production: 2.827 MT (↑5% YoY)
Leading States: Madhya Pradesh (30.28%), Maharashtra (26.57%), Odisha (22.79%)
Grade Composition: Lower grade (<35% Mn) – 69%, Medium (35–46%) – 22%, High (>46%) – 8%

6. Mining & Processing:

Methods: Opencast and underground (8 underground mines, mechanised/semi-mechanised)
Key Techniques: Bench mining, cut-and-fill stoping, hydraulic sand stowing, rock bolting, jigging, beneficiation plants (e.g., Dongri Buzurg, Balaghat)
Future Plans: MOIL aims to increase production from 1.2 MT to 3 MT by 2030

7. Uses & Consumption:

Steel Industry: 90–95% of manganese ore consumption; used as ferromanganese
Battery Industry: Manganese dioxide (EMD) for dry cell batteries
Other Uses: Pottery glaze, coloured bricks, driers, textile dyes, photography, leather, matches

8. Trade & Policy:

Exports (2022-23): 1,557 tonnes (↓98% YoY), mostly to UAE (88%) and Nepal (12%)
Imports (2022-23): 4.64 MT (↓28% YoY), major sources: South Africa (40%), Gabon (18%), Australia (10%), Singapore (9%)
Policy: Free import policy; export regulated through ITC(HS) codes

9. Global Scenario:

Reserves: ~1,700 MT, majorly in South Africa (38%), China (16%), Brazil (16%), Australia (16%)
Production: ~54 MT (2022), leading producers – South Africa (35%), Gabon (19%), Australia (11%), China (9%)

10. Future Outlook:

India’s per capita steel consumption: 74.7 kg (world: 230.3 kg) → indicates high growth potential
Target steel production by 2030-31: 300 MT → manganese demand expected ~10 MT/yr
MOIL production target: 3 MT by 2030 → imports will continue to fill the gap
Technological trends: Using lower grade ores, improved steel-making efficiency, and deep-sea nodules exploration

Source : IBM 2023 ; Published in Jan 2025 (Ministry Of Mines )

Updated - 7 Oct 2025 ; 12:10 AM