Manganese is mainly used in the manufacturing of steel and ferro-manganese alloy. Nearly 10 kg of manganese is required to manufacture one tonne of steel. It is also used in manufacturing bleaching powder, insecticides and paints.
Orissa is the largest producer of manganese ores in India. It accounted for one third of the country’* total production in 2000-01. Other manganese-producing states are Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
