📌 8 types of Rare Earth metals found in India
- Monazite- monazite is a phosphate mineral containing thorium, uranium, and rare earth elements.
monazite stands out as a valuable source of thorium, a radioactive element utilized not only for nuclear fuel but also in the production of isotopes for various applications.
- Zircon- a silicate mineral, contains zirconium and hafnium. Separated through intricate physical and chemical processes, zircon is indispensable for producing corrosion-resistant zirconium, a metal with applications spanning nuclear, aerospace, chemical, and ceramic industries. Notably, hafnium, an additional rare metal extracted from zircon, finds essential use in nuclear control rods, superalloys, and microchips.
- Ilmenite-contributes to the production of titanium, a metal renowned for its high strength, low density, and remarkable resistance to corrosion and heat. Beyond its role in aerospace, defense, medical, and chemical sectors, ilmenite is also utilized in the production of pigments, welding electrodes, and steel.
- Columbite-tantalite
Also known as coltan, this group of minerals containing niobium and tantalum is found in pegmatite deposits in Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Karnataka. - Beryl
Present in pegmatite deposits alongside columbite-tantalite, beryl, a silicate mineral, contains beryllium. Beyond being a vital component in alloys, ceramics, magnets, and x-ray tubes, beryl plays a crucial role in aerospace, defense, and nuclear industries. - Apatite
Found in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, apatite is a phosphate mineral containing calcium, phosphorus, and fluorine. Its significance lies in the production of phosphoric acid, a key component for various industries, including fertilizer, food, and detergent. Apatite further contributes to the production of fluorine, utilized in applications such as refrigerants, fluorocarbons, and fluoropolymers across industries like nuclear, chemical, and medical. - Sillimanite
Predominantly found in metamorphic rocks in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar, sillimanite is a silicate mineral containing aluminum and silicon. Its contribution to the production of aluminum. - Loparite
Loparite is a complex oxide mineral that contains niobium, tantalum, titanium, and rare earth elements. It is found mainly in the alkaline igneous rocks in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
