Question

Which one of the following minerals is found in Monazite sands?

• A. Mineral oil
• B. Uranium
• C. Thorium
• D. Coal

Hint:

Monazite sands are a significant source of thorium, which is being considered as an alternative nuclear fuel to uranium due to its potential for safer and more sustainable energy production.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Monazite is a phosphate mineral that contains a significant amount of rare earth elements, most notably thorium . It is commonly found in sandy deposits, known as monazite sands , which are found in beach sands and alluvial deposits in various parts of the world, including India, Australia, and the United States.
Monazite sands are particularly valuable due to the high concentration of thorium they contain. Thorium is a radioactive element that is used as a potential fuel in nuclear reactors, especially in thorium reactors. While monazite also contains small amounts of other valuable elements like uranium, it is primarily known for its thorium content.
- Mineral oil is not found in monazite sands; it is a separate organic compound derived from crude oil extraction.
- Uranium is found in other types of ores, such as pitchblende (now called uraninite ), but is present in much smaller quantities in monazite compared to thorium.
- Coal is a fossil fuel and is not related to monazite sands, which are mineral-based.
Thus, the mineral primarily found in monazite sands is thorium , making option (C) the correct answer.