Magnetite
Topic: Mineral Resources of India: Distribution and Conservation · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 5 "Minerals and Energy Resources"; Class 12, Ch 5 "Mineral and Energy Resources"
Meaning
Magnetite is the finest type of iron ore. It holds up to 70% iron. It is magnetic, which means it pulls on iron the way a magnet does, and this makes it especially useful in the electrical industry. High-grade ore like magnetite is scarce, because minerals of better quality are usually found in smaller amounts.
Example
Kudremukh in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, is a well-known magnetite deposit. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu also have magnetite.
Don't confuse with
- Haematite: this is a reddish iron ore with 50-60% iron (NCERT). It is the ore most used by Indian steel plants, but it is not the finest ore. Magnetite is.