Q56. 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
Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 GS Paper
Explanation :
d. Titanium
Ilmenite and Rutile: Rich Sources of Titanium
Ilmenite and rutile are both rich sources of titanium. Ilmenite is an iron titanium oxide (FeTiO3), and rutile is a titanium dioxide mineral (TiO2). They are abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, particularly in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.
Titanium is a strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant metal, making it ideal for use in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and construction. It is also used in the production of pigments, coatings, and other applications.