Iron ore
The area around Barbil has a number of private iron ore mines. The Barbil–Joda region is the highest iron ore-producing region in the country. The annual output is around 40 million tonnes of lump and fines. State-wise, Odisha is the largest producer of iron ore in the country. It is the basic raw material for sponge iron and steel producers, many of whom who do not have access to captive mines. Moreover, India exports nearly two-thirds of its iron ore production. Iron ore transport is a major task of the railway network in the region.