GUIYANG, Jan. 22 -- A reserve of more than 192 million tonnes of manganese ore, believed to the the largest in Asia, has been discovered in southwest China's Guizhou Province, it was announced Friday.

Pujue manganese ore was discovered in mountains between Songtao Miao Autonomous County and Jiangkou County by the No. 103 Geology Group under the Guizhou Provincial Geology and Mineral Exploration Bureau, according to Songtao government.

The mine will help poverty alleviation in Guizhou, one of China's least developed provinces, local officials said.

Manganese is used to make metal alloys, particularly stainless steel.