Activities:

Collect samples and write an account of the minerals available in Karnataka.

Karnataka is a mineral rich state. A lot of minerals are available in Karnataka like Iron ore, Manganese, Bauxite, Gold, Limestone, copper, Chromite, asbestos, granite, mica are found in plenty.

• Iron Ore- Iron ore is the basic raw material for steel industry. There are many varieties of iron ore such as Limonite, Siderite, Haematite, and Magnetite. Of these Magnetite id the best quality because of the rich iron content. Karnataka holds second position in India in production of Iron ore. It produces 63% Magnetite ore. Chikkamagaluru district holds the second position in production. Other rich deposits are found in Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Shivamogga, Ballari, Bagalkot, Uttar Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Hospet, Sandur, Bababudangiri hills, Kemmannugunddi, Kudremukh, Gangamula, and other areas. Iron ore is extracted at Donimalai, Vibhutigudda, Belagala, Kumaraswamy Hills, Devadri range, Ramagurga hillsand it is sent to Iron and Steel industries.

• Manganese- Manganese is an important mineral used in the making of iron and steel. It is found in oxide form in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. It is used as an alloy in manufacture of Steel as it decreases the brittleness and imparts hardness and increases the strength of the steel. It is known as ‘jack of all trades’. Karnataka holds second position in India for the production of Manganese. It serves 27% of the total deposits in the country. Sandur in Bellary district produces almost 90% of the total produced in the state. Other regions like Kumsi, Shankaragudda, Hoshahalli in Shivamogga district, Sadarahalli in Chitradunga district, Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumakuru district, Sirsi taluk, Supa, Londa produces good quality manganese. It is also exported to countries like Japan, China.

• Bauxite- Bauxite is the raw material for aluminium. It is actually a rock consisting of aluminium oxides. Bauxite is chiefly produced in the districts of Belgavi, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Belgavi and Khanapur taluks. Belgavi is the leading producer of Bauxite in Karnataka.

• Gold- Gold is a yellow durable material. It is used for making ornaments and is very expensive. Karnataka ranks first in the production of Gold. It produces 80% gold in India. The Kolar Gold Fields which is one of the biggest gold mines of the world is present in Karnataka. The mines include Nandidurg, Urigaum, Champion Reef, Mysore mines. Champion Reef is the deepest mine. Places like Bellara in Tumakuru district, Ajjanahalli near Sira, Malgund, Kappatagudda in Gadag district, Kempinakote in Hassan district also produce gold. Currently Hutti in Raichur district is the biggest goldmine in India.