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📚 Part of: Buddhist Philosophy And Indian Governance Mcqs

Ilmenite is the primary ore of

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Correct Answer: D) Titanium.

Exam Relevance: UPSC Civil Services, GATE Mining Engineering, IAS Prelims, SSC CGL

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes:

Ilmenite is a mineral that is primarily composed of iron(II,III) titanate (FeTiO₃). It is the most important ore of titanium, a metal widely used in aerospace, medical, and chemical industries due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.

Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing Ilmenite with other ores like Monazite (which is a thorium ore).
  • Believing Ilmenite is primarily an iron ore, overlooking its titanium content.
  • Not recognizing the importance of Ilmenite in the context of titanium extraction.
Explanation:

Ilmenite is a naturally occurring mineral that is primarily composed of iron(II,III) titanate (FeTiO₃). It is one of the most important ores of titanium, a metal that is highly valued for its strength, low density, and resistance to corrosion. Titanium is widely used in aerospace, medical, and chemical industries due to these properties.

The mineral ilmenite is typically found in beach sands, placers, and igneous rocks. It is often associated with other heavy minerals like rutile and zircon. The extraction of titanium from ilmenite involves several steps, including mining, concentration, and processing to produce titanium dioxide (TiO₂), which is then further processed to obtain metallic titanium.

Ilmenite is not the only source of titanium; other minerals like rutile (TiO₂) and anatase (TiO₂) are also used. However, ilmenite is the most abundant and economically significant source of titanium. The titanium content in ilmenite typically ranges from 45% to 65% by weight, making it a valuable resource for the titanium industry.

It is important to distinguish ilmenite from other minerals that may be confused with it. For example, monazite is another heavy mineral found in beach sands, but it is primarily a source of rare earth elements and thorium, not titanium. Similarly, uranium ores like uraninite and pitchblende are not related to ilmenite in terms of their primary metallic content.

In summary, ilmenite is the primary ore of titanium, and its significance in the extraction and production of titanium cannot be overstated. Understanding the properties and extraction processes of ilmenite is crucial for comprehending the broader context of titanium mining and processing in India and globally.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect. Ilmenite is not the primary ore of Thorium. Thorium is primarily extracted from minerals like Monazite and Thorite. Ilmenite is mainly associated with titanium extraction.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. Uranium is not extracted from Ilmenite. Uranium ores include minerals like Uraninite and Pitchblende. Ilmenite is specifically known for its titanium content.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. Ilmenite is not a significant source of Magnesium. Magnesium is typically extracted from minerals like Dolomite and Magnesite. Ilmenite's primary metallic content is titanium.
  • Option D: This option is correct. Ilmenite is the primary ore of Titanium. Ilmenite contains titanium dioxide (TiO₂) which is processed to extract titanium metal. This makes Ilmenite a crucial resource in the titanium industry.

Mnemonic: Remember "I" for Ilmenite as the "I" in "Iron" and "Titanium" - it's rich in both.

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