Step 1: Analyze each characteristic given in the box.
- Non-ferrous ore: Non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron. This includes bauxite, copper, etc.
- Odisha is the largest producer state: Odisha is rich in mineral resources.
- Used in manufacturing of aluminium: Aluminium is extracted from bauxite ore.
Step 2: Recall the details about bauxite.
Bauxite is the principal ore of aluminium. It is a non-ferrous mineral. Odisha is the largest producer of bauxite in India [citation:3][citation:9].
The National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navratna CPSE, operates its captive Panchpatmali Bauxite Mines in Koraput district, Odisha [citation:3][citation:9]. This is one of the largest bauxite mines in the country.
Step 3: Analysis of each option.
- (A) Copper: Incorrect. Copper is a non-ferrous ore, but it is not used in aluminium manufacturing. Odisha is not the largest producer of copper.
- (B) Mica: Incorrect. Mica is a non-metallic mineral, not an ore for metal extraction. It is not used in aluminium manufacturing.
- (C) Bauxite: Correct.} Bauxite is a non-ferrous ore, Odisha is the largest producer state, and it is the raw material for aluminium manufacturing.
- (D) Manganese: Incorrect. Manganese is a ferrous alloy mineral (used in steel making), not non-ferrous. It is not used in aluminium manufacturing.
Step 4: Conclusion.
All three clues point to bauxite. It is the ore of aluminium, Odisha leads in its production, and it is classified as a non-ferrous mineral.
Final Answer:} (C) Bauxite