UPSC Prelims 2023 Q6: Geography – Economic & Mineral Geography
- (a) Aluminium
- (b) Copper
- (c) Iron
- (d) Titanium
Answer: (d) Titanium
Explanation
Ilmenite and Rutile — Source Mineral
Ilmenite (FeTiO₃) and Rutile (TiO₂) are the two most important ore minerals of Titanium (Ti).
| Mineral | Formula | Titanium Content | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilmenite | FeTiO₃ | ~53% TiO₂ | Primary source for TiO₂ pigment and titanium metal |
| Rutile | TiO₂ | ~95% TiO₂ | High-grade titanium ore; used in aerospace alloys |
India's Coastal Deposits:
- Kerala coast (Chavara) and Tamil Nadu coast have world-class ilmenite and rutile deposits in beach placer sands
- India is among the top producers of ilmenite globally
- Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IREL) extracts these heavy minerals
Titanium applications: Aerospace, surgical implants, white pigment (TiO₂), corrosion-resistant alloys.
Answer: (d) Titanium.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Aluminium ore is bauxite (Al₂O₃·H₂O). Ilmenite and rutile contain no significant aluminium.
- (b) Incorrect. Copper ore is chalcopyrite or malachite. These minerals have no copper content.
- (c) Incorrect. Iron ores are haematite (Fe₂O₃) and magnetite (Fe₃O₄). Ilmenite does contain iron (FeTiO₃), but it is mined primarily for its titanium content, not iron.
- (d) CORRECT. Ilmenite (FeTiO₃) and Rutile (TiO₂) are the primary ores of Titanium. India's coastal placer deposits in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are major global sources.
Key point
Ilmenite (FeTiO₃) + Rutile (TiO₂) = Titanium ores. India's beach placer sands in Kerala (Chavara) are major global sources. IREL mines these heavy minerals from coastal sands.
Remember
Ilmenite and rutile are the primary ore minerals of Titanium. India has major deposits in coastal beach placer sands, especially in Kerala (Chavara) and Tamil Nadu.
Common mistakes
- Selecting Iron because Ilmenite contains Fe in its formula — but the commercially extracted element is titanium, not iron.
- Confusing Rutile with Bauxite or other metal ores — Rutile (TiO₂) is exclusively a titanium mineral.
- Not knowing India's coastal mineral deposits — India has significant beach placer mineral wealth including ilmenite, rutile, monazite, and garnet.
Exam tip
Ilmenite = Iron + Titanite → Titanium ore. Rutile = TiO₂ = pure titanium dioxide. Both = TITANIUM. India's beach sand = heavy minerals including ilmenite and rutile. IREL = Indian Rare Earths Limited extracts them.
Sources
- Ministry of Mines — Indian Minerals Yearbook
- Geological Survey of India — Beach Placer Minerals