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Which mineral is found in monazite sands?
Mica
Copper
Thorium
Uranium
None of the above
Thorium
Monazite is a reddish-brown phosphate mineral that serves as the primary source of thorium, a radioactive metal. In India, these sands are predominantly found along the coastal regions of Kerala, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
Monazite is a reddish-brown phosphate mineral that serves as the primary source of thorium, a radioactive metal. In India, these sands are predominantly found along the coastal regions of Kerala, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
India possesses the world's largest reserves of monazite sand, which is a strategic mineral under the Atomic Energy Act of 1962.
Thorium is considered a future fuel for India's three-stage nuclear power program due to its abundance compared to uranium.
Kerala's coastal tract (specifically the Kollam district) is famous for its high concentration of monazite-rich beach sands.
Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) under the Department of Atomic Energy is the primary agency responsible for processing monazite in India.
Monazite contains rare earth elements (REE) along with thorium and uranium, making it a critical strategic resource for the electronics and defense industries.
Mica (Option A) is primarily found in the Jharkhand-Bihar mica belt, specifically Koderma and Hazaribagh.
Copper (Option B) deposits in India are notably located in the Khetri mines of Rajasthan and the Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.
Uranium (Option D) is primarily extracted from the Jaduguda mines in Jharkhand.
C is correct тАФ Monazite sands are the most significant terrestrial source of thorium in India.
When studying mineral resources, always link radioactive minerals like Thorium and Uranium to India's Three-Stage Nuclear Power Program to understand why they are strategically controlled by the government.