Which of the following minerals is found in the monazite sands of Kerala?​

Correct option is D

Introduction

Monazite is a heavy mineral found in the beach placer sands of the Kerala coast. It is one of the world's most important natural sources of Thorium, making India one of the countries with the largest thorium reserves.

Information Booster

(D) Thorium ✔ (Correct Answer)

• Monazite is a phosphate mineral containing Thorium and Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
• The placer deposits along the coasts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh are rich in monazite.
• India possesses one of the world's largest thorium reserves, mainly because of these monazite beach sands.

✔ Correct Answer

Why the other options are incorrect?

(A) Mica ✘

• Mica is mainly found in:
  • Jharkhand
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Rajasthan

It is not associated with monazite sands.

(B) Uranium ✘

• Uranium occurs mainly in:
  • Jaduguda (Jharkhand)
  • Tummalapalle (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Meghalaya

Monazite is primarily a source of Thorium, not Uranium.

(C) Kyanite ✘

• Kyanite occurs in metamorphic rocks.
• Major deposits are found in:
  • Jharkhand
  • Karnataka
  • Maharashtra

It is unrelated to Kerala's beach sands.

Additional Knowledge

Major Heavy Minerals in Kerala Beach Sands

• Monazite → Thorium, Rare Earth Elements
• Ilmenite → Titanium
• Rutile → Titanium
• Zircon → Zirconium
• Garnet → Abrasives
• Sillimanite → Refractory industry

Major Monazite-Producing Coastal States

1. Kerala
2. Tamil Nadu
3. Odisha
4. Andhra Pradesh