Kudremukh
Topic: Mineral Resources of India: Distribution and Conservation · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 5 "Minerals and Energy Resources"; Class 10, Ch 7 "Lifelines of National Economy"; Class 12, Ch 5 "Mineral and Energy Resources"
Meaning
Kudremukh is an iron ore deposit in the Western Ghats. The name means "horse face". It was a 100% export unit, which means all of its ore was sold abroad. The ore was mixed with water into a slurry (a thin, watery paste) and sent through a pipeline to a port near Mangaluru. Mining ended at the close of 2005 under a Supreme Court order to protect Kudremukh National Park. It is a standard example of mining clashing with forest protection.
Example
Kudremukh is in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka. It belongs to the Ballari-Chitradurga-Chikkamagaluru-Tumakuru iron ore belt and is known for magnetite, the finest iron ore.
Don't confuse with
- Sandur-Hospet: this is also in Karnataka, but it is in Ballari district on the plateau, and mining continues there. Kudremukh is in the Western Ghats and has been closed since 2005.
- Bailadila: this is an export-oriented iron ore range in Chhattisgarh that is still mined. It ships its ore through Visakhapatnam.