Manganese ore was first confused with magnetic iron ore. The most common oxide and mineral is pyrolusite . These chunks which vary from a few millimeters to a few meters in diameter, consist mainly of manganes and iron oxides. Billions of tons are present, but mining them presents major technical and political challenges. Cooperation will be required to mine the nodules such that the rewards will be shared globally.
Elemental manganese is hard and shiny.
Like vanadium and chromium , it is used mostly to make steel alloys. The purple permanaganite ion, KMnO 4 - ion is particularly powerful. It is crucial to the effectiveness of vitamin B 1 . Without manganese, bones grow spongier and break more easily.