Which one among the following states is the leading producer of Mangan

Which one among the following states is the leading producer of Manganese in India ?

Madhya Pradesh
Jharkhand
Rajasthan
Karnataka
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Madhya Pradesh is a leading producer of Manganese in India.
Madhya Pradesh, along with Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, are the major manganese-producing states in India. Data fluctuates year to year, but Madhya Pradesh consistently ranks among the top, often leading the production.
Manganese is an important element used in the production of steel (ferromanganese alloy). It is also used in chemicals, batteries, and other applications. The main manganese belt in India extends across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, and Goa.