Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following?

Answer: D. Ilmenite and rutile are rich sources of TITANIUM. Ilmenite (FeTiO3) and Rutile (TiO2) are the two principal ores of TITANIUM, an industrially critical metal. Ilmenite contains about 53% TiO2 and rutile about 95% TiO2. India holds about 35% of world ilmenite reserves, concentrated in coastal beach sands of Kerala (Chavara, Manavalakurichi in Tamil Nadu), Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) is the major producer. Titanium is used in aerospace alloys, medical implants (highly biocompatible), pigments (TiO2 in paints), and surface coatings. Its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance make it strategically important. Distractors: (A) Aluminium is from bauxite (B) Copper from chalcopyrite (C) Iron from hematite/magnetite. None of these are sourced from ilmenite/rutile. Source: Indian Bureau of Mines / Ministry of Mines / IREL website.