Characteristics and distribution of Monazite rare earths in India
Question
With reference to India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1.
Monazite is a source of rare earths.
- 2.
Monazite contains thorium.
- 3.
Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India.
- 4.
In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.
Options
1, 2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 4 only
3 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct; Monazite is a phosphate mineral rich in rare earth elements and radioactive thorium. Statement 4 is correct; because it contains thorium, it is a "prescribed substance" under the Atomic Energy Act, limiting its processing/export strictly to Government bodies (like IREL). Statement 3 is incorrect because it does not occur across the entire coast, but is concentrated in highly specific placer deposits in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.
Answer: (b).
Question details
Year
2022
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q28
Subject
Geography
Sub-topic
Indian Economic Geography
Type
Statement-based
Difficulty
Medium
Nature
Static
Source hint
Atomic Energy Act 1962 / Beach Sand Mineral Prescribed Substances
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