This mining area has one of the largest deposits of Iron ore in the world. These are of extremely high quality - the Iron content of the ore is as high as 68%. 14 reserves have been discovered, of which 3 are being mined. Bailadila has two towns - Bacheli (29 km from Dantewada) and Kirandul (41 km from Dantewada). The mines are in the highest peak, Aakash Nagar. You can visit this, after taking permission from NMDC (National Mineral Development Corporation). The mile-long iron-ore trains are a sight not easily forgotten. The 22 km road from Bacheli to Aakash Nagar winds through some extremely scenic forests. Another 12 km road from Kirandul takes visitors to Kailash nagar, another peak.
Bailadila means "hump of the ox", and the mountain range here has peaks that look like the humps of an ox.