BAUXITE : Its Source and Production in India

• Several ores contain aluminum, it is from bauxite, a clay-like substance that alumina and later aluminium is obtained.

• Bauxite is found mainly in tertiary deposits and is associated with laterite rocks occurring extensively either on the plateau or hill ranges of peninsular India and also in the coastal tracts of the country.

• India’s bauxite deposits are mainly found in the Amarkantak plateau (Chattisgarh), Maikal hills and the plateau region of Bilaspur-Katni.

• Odisha is the largest bauxite producing state in India. Kalahandi and Sambalpur are the leading producers. The other two areas which have been increasing their production are Bolangir and Koraput.

• Other major states are Jharkhand (10%), Gujarat (9%), Chattisgarh, Maharashtra each 6%.

• Panchpatmali deposits in Koraput district are the most important bauxite deposits in the state.

• The patlands of Lohardaga in Jharkhand have rich deposits.

• Bhavanagar, and Jamnagar in Gujarat have the major deposits and producing regions. 

• Katni- Jabalpur area and Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh have important deposits of bauxite. 

• Kolaba, Thane, Ratnagiri, Satara, Pune and Kolhapur in Maharashtra are important producers.

• Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Goa are minor producers of bauxite.