Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following?
(a) Aluminium
(b) Copper
(c) Iron
(d) Titanium
The correct answer is (d), titanium. Ilmenite and rutile are both titanium-bearing minerals. Ilmenite is an iron titanium oxide with the chemical formula FeTiO3, while rutile is a titanium dioxide with the chemical formula TiO2. Both minerals are found in abundance in certain coastal tracts of India, such as the beaches of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Titanium is a strong, lightweight metal that is used in a variety of applications, including aerospace, automotive, and medical industries. It is also used in the production of titanium dioxide, a white pigment that is used in paints, plastics, and other products.
India is one of the world’s leading producers of titanium minerals. In 2019, India produced 1.1 million metric tons of ilmenite and 0.5 million metric tons of rutile. As per NMI, the total resources of titanium minerals in India are estimated at about 549.49 million tonnes.
The development of the titanium industry in India is expected to create new jobs and boost the country’s economy. The industry is also expected to help India reduce its dependence on imports of titanium minerals.
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