Manganese ore is a silver-gray metal with a pinkish tinge. It is a hard metallic element although it is quite brittle.
Manganese ores are found in metamorphic rocks or sedimentary deposits. Pyrolusite is the main ore mineral for manganese. Manganese combines easily with air and water and is therefore a reactive element frequently found in nodules on the sea floor.
It is a chemical element with symbol Mn and atomic number 25. It is not found as a free element in nature; it is often found in minerals in combination with iron.
Manganese is a metal with important industrial metal alloy uses, particularly in stainless steels