UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 39
Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D (Titanium)
Explanation: Ilmenite (FeTiO3) and rutile (TiO2) are economically important titanium-bearing minerals, often concentrated in coastal placer sands.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-Aluminium is derived mainly from bauxite rather than these titanium ores.
B. Incorrect-Copper is commonly extracted from sulphide and oxide copper ores, not rutile.
C. Incorrect-Ilmenite includes iron, but both minerals are known chiefly as titanium sources.
D. Correct-ilmenite and rutile are principal ores of titanium.