Context:
Sudden collapse in the price of Nickel
Nickel:
- Nickel – Hard, silvery-white metal
- Features –
- Very hard and resistant to erosion
- Very ductile and malleable
- Nickel does not occur naturally – Found in association with copper, uranium and other metals
- Good thermal and electrical conductivity
- Important alloying material. (Iron + Nickel == stainless steel)
- Usages – Coinage, Rechargeable batteries, Aircraft and internal combustion engines
Nickel Distribution in World:
- Largest Reserves – Australia, Brazil, Russia and Cuba
- Leading Producers – Indonesia, Philippines and Russia
- Largest Consumer – China
Nickel Distribution in India:
- Important Areas – Sukinda valley of Odisha and Sighbhum area of Jharkhand
- Leading states – Odisha, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, and Rajasthan
Source: Down To Earth
Previous Year Question
Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Aluminium
(b) Copper
(c) Iron
(d) Titanium
Answer: (d)
