Previous Year Question
Which among the following is the largest mechanized mine in India?
Ratnagiri mine
Jaipur mine
Sundergarh mine
Bailadila mine
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
The Bailadila iron-ore mining region is located in present-day South Bastar Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. It is one of India's most important high-grade iron-ore mining regions and is operated mainly by NMDC Limited.
The major mining operations in the Bailadila region have been developed as the Kirandul Complex and Bacheli Complex. Official NMDC records describe both as highly-mechanised iron ore mine complexes.
Bailadila principally contains high-grade hematite ore. According to NMDC, the hard lumpy iron ore of this region can contain more than 66% iron, making it highly suitable for steel-making.
Bailadila Deposit-14 and Deposit-11C have been among the highly mechanised opencast iron-ore workings of India. Mechanised systems are extensively used for drilling, blasting, crushing, screening and conveyor-based transportation of ore.