In the landscape of India’s mineral resources, the Bauxite producing states in India play a crucial role. This is because Bauxite is the ore for Aluminium, the second most used metal in the world after Iron.
Most of the bauxite deposits are concentrated in the states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.
These three states hold 73% of the resources, with Odisha at the top with 41%, Chhattisgarh with 20%, and Andhra Pradesh with 12%.
Remaining deposits are in Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Of these States, Andhra Pradesh does not produce Bauxite.
Bauxite production plays a crucial role in both domestic manufacturing and international trade.
Understanding the landscape of Bauxite reveals several interlinked things like geological resources, industrial development, and the economic potential of those states.
This article examines the Bauxite Producing states in India, their geological advantages, infrastructure, deposits, environmental challenges, and other information.
| State | Bauxite Production in 2022-23 (in tonnes) | Percentage Share |
|---|---|---|
| Odisha | 1,74,03,320 | 72.99% |
| Jharkhand | 22,14,879 | 9.29% |
| Gujarat | 16,67,048 | 6.99% |
| Chhattisgarh | 10,56,576 | 4.43% |
| Maharashtra | 8,99,528 | 3.77% |
| Madhya Pradesh | 6,01,911 | 2.52% |
| India (Total) | 2,38,43,262 | 100% |
1. Odisha
The coastal state of Odisha stands unrivalled in terms of Bauxite production.
It is the single largest Bauxite producing state in India and also is the state with the highest Bauxite reserves.
For the Year 2022-23, Odisha had produced 1,74,03,320 tonnes (17.4 million tonnes) of Bauxite, which accounts for 72.99% of the nation’s share.
Production of Bauxite in this state had increased at a rate of 5.79% compared to 2021-22 (16.4 million tonnes).
The districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Balangir-Bargarh, Kandhamal, Sundergarh, Keonjhar, Malkangiri, and Kalahandi house most of the bauxite deposits in Odisha.
All these deposits are associated with the Eastern Ghats mobile belt.
Also, most deposits in this state are near surface formations, enabling the mining companies to opt for cost-effective open-cast mining.
The state’s dominance in this industry is not just due to the volume but also the availability of huge metallurgical grade deposits with less silica, which makes mining cost-effective and profitable.
All major public and private Bauxite mining companies NALCO, OMC, Hindalco, Aditya Aluminium, Utkal, L&T, Vedanta, and a few joint venture companies have their units in Odisha.
NALCO (National Aluminium CO. Ltd) is the leading producer of Bauxite in India, contributing 31% of the total Bauxite Production. It is also the largest among the Bauxite mines in India.
Bauxite mining in Odisha has created a robust ecosystem in the state through infrastructure development, establishing industries, providing employment, and further supporting the economy.
Infrastructure development in Odisha’s mining areas, including dedicated rail links to mining refineries and ports, creates an added advantage. Alongside, the Paradip deep water port efficiently manages extensive bauxite and aluminium exports.
2. Jharkhand
Jharkhand is the second largest Bauxite producing state in India with a production of 22,14,879 tonnes (2.21 million tonnes) in 2022-23.
Production of Bauxite in Jharkhand had significantly improved at an astonishing rate of 22.45% in 2022-23 compared to 2021-22.
This state accounts for 9.29% of the total Bauxite production in India.
Bauxite deposits in Jharkhand are found in Lohardaga, Gumla, Latehar, Hisari, Rudhali Pat, and Khamar Pat districts.
This mining industry has created several opportunities to establish new industries that are dependent on Aluminium and the byproducts obtained from processing the ore.
Hindalco, a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Group, dominates this state’s Bauxite mining and refining landscape.
Additionally, the mining industry in this state, especially Coal, Iron, and Bauxite, has created several employment opportunities for the locals and strengthened the state’s economy.
3. Gujarat
Standing third in the list, Gujarat accounts for 6.99% of the total Bauxite produced in India by producing 16,67,048 tonnes (1.66 million tonnes) for 2022-23.
However, the growth percentage of Gujarat’s bauxite production in 2022-23 (1.66 million tonnes) had declined by 17.41% compared to 2021-22 (2.01 million tonnes). This might be due to the extensive production of Bauxite in 2021-22.
Bauxite in Gujarat is mainly found in Kutch, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Amreli, Junagadh, Porbandar, Sabarkantha, Kaira and Valsad districts.
Various grades of bauxite, including refractory, metallurgical, abrasive, chemical, mixed, and low-grade mines, are found in Gujarat. The state has a significant quantity of metallurgical deposits.
Substantial amounts of bauxite are exported from Porbandar, Okha, and Pipavav ports to other countries.
4. Chhattisgarh
With a production of 10,56,576 tonnes (1.05 million tonnes) of Bauxite, the state of Chhattisgarh stands fourth among the Bauxite producing states in India.
For the year 2022-23, Chhattisgarh accounted for 4.43% of the total nation’s share.
Surguja, Jashpur, Kanker, Bastar, and Kabirdham are the districts in the state with significant bauxite deposits.
Most of the Bauxite available in this state is of metal and refractory grade.
BALCO and Hindalco are the dominant players in Chhattisgarh’s bauxite mining sector.
The mining industry contributes to the state’s growth and economy by providing employment to the locals. It also creates new opportunities to establish supporting industries and even helps in revenue diversification.
5. Maharashtra
Maharashtra stands fifth in the list with a production of 8,99,528 tonnes (0.89 million tonnes) of Bauxite, which accounts for 3.77% of the National share.
Bauxite in this state occur as capping on hills present in Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Satara, Sindhudurg, and Thane Districts.
Bauxite deposits in the Kolhapur region are known for their high-grade ore.
Hindalco leads the bauxite mining activities in Maharashtra.
Mining of this metal in Maharashtra is predominantly done using the open-cast method.
Though the state adopts sustainable mining practices to minimise the impacts on the environment, there are several environmental concerns raised, especially related to water and air pollution.
6. Madhya Pradesh
Producing 6,01,911 tonnes (0.61 million Tonnes ) of Bauxite for the year 2022-23, Maharashtra stands sixth among the Bauxite producing states in India.
This state contributed 2.52% of the total bauxite production in India.
Shahdol, Rewa, Stana, Katni, Mandla, Dindori, Balaghat, Anuppur, and Sidhi are the districts with bauxite deposits in Madhya Pradesh.
All grades of Bauxite are available in Madhya Pradesh, with the majority of the deposits being Metallurgical grade.
