Indian geography (minerals): Identify India’s most extensive commercially valuable monazite (thorium) sand deposits. Focus on coastal placer deposits known for thorium-bearing monazite sands. Choose the correct location.
IIT JEE
Chemistry
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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AKerala coast (Travancore–Malabar belt)
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BKonkan coast (Maharashtra)
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CCoromandel coast (Tamil Nadu only)
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DSaurashtra coast (Gujarat)
Answer
Correct Answer: Kerala coast (Travancore–Malabar belt)
Explanation
Given/Context
- Monazite sands rich in thorium occur in beach placers.
ReasoningIndia’s best-known extensive monazite placers are along the Kerala coast (e.g., near Kollam/Quilon and Aluva), with additional significant pockets in Tamil Nadu and Odisha. The most extensive, commercially valuable deposits are classically associated with Kerala’s Travancore–Malabar belt.
Final AnswerKerala coast (Travancore–Malabar belt).