Jharia coalfields
Explanation
The location of the iron and steel industry is heavily influenced by the availability of heavy and weight-losing raw materials such as iron ore and coking coal. To minimize transportation costs, integrated steel plants are typically situated near these resource bases.
Detailed Analysis:
- Coal Supply: The Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO), located in Jamshedpur, obtains its supply of coking coal primarily from the Jharia coalfields in Jharkhand. Jharia is the most significant repository of prime coking coal in India, which is essential for the metallurgical process in blast furnaces.
- Iron Ore Supply: The plant sources high-grade hematite iron ore from the Noamundi mines in the Singhbhum district of Jharkhand and the Badampahar mines in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
- Other Raw Materials: Limestone and dolomite, used as flux, are sourced from the Sundargarh district in Odisha. Water requirements are met by the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers.
Key Takeaway:
TISCO is strategically located to utilize coking coal from the Jharia coalfields and iron ore from the Singhbhum-Mayurbhanj belt, optimizing production costs through proximity to raw materials.