Consider the following statements with reference to the Platinum Group...
- Platinum Group of Metals (PGM) is a family comprised of 6 metals - platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, and ruthenium. They have similar physical and chemical properties and tend to occur together in the same mineral deposits.
- These six elements are classified into two groups with reference to the specific gravity of gold (19.2).
- The elements, Ru, Rh, Pd (sp. gr. 12- 12.4) are lighter, while the other three elements, Os, Ir, and Pt are heavier than gold with sp. gr. in the range of 21.0-21.5.
- Platinum is an extremely rare metal occurring at a concentration of only 0.005 ppm in the earth's crust.
- China and India are moving forward with large-scale plans to reduce the amount of carbon emission in their respective countries. Currently, more than half of platinum and palladium mineral goes into making catalytic converters in automobiles. Automobiles that run on diesel predominantly use platinum for catalytic conversion. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- India is meeting its demand entirely by imports. The demand for PGEs is expected to touch 120 tonnes by 2025, as per the Report of the Sub-group for the 12th Plan period.
- By state, Odisha alone accounts for 90% of the country's reserves/resources of PGE followed by Karnataka (10%) & negligible amount by Uttar Pradesh
- Boula - Nausahi, a 3 km-long belt, 170 km NE of Bhubaneswar, Odisha is the only proven Platinum Group of Metals (PGM) deposit in the country. Hence the statement 1 is not correct.
Consider the following statements with reference to the Platinum Group...
Analysis of Statements on Platinum Group of Metals (PGM)
Statement 1: "There is no proven platinum group of metals deposited in India."
- This statement is correct. As of now, India has not established any significant deposits of platinum group metals (PGMs). The primary sources of PGMs are found in South Africa, Russia, and a few other countries, while India lacks substantial reserves.
Statement 2: "In India, platinum is used in making catalytic converters in automobiles for emission controls."
- This statement is also correct. Platinum is widely used in catalytic converters, which are essential for controlling emissions in automobiles. The automotive industry in India utilizes platinum for its catalytic properties, significantly aiding in reducing harmful emissions.
Conclusion
- Since Statement 1 is incorrect regarding the absence of proven PGM deposits in India, and Statement 2 is correct about the usage of platinum in catalytic converters, the correct answer is option B: "2 only."
Additional Insights
- The PGM group includes platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium, with applications extending beyond automotive to jewelry, electronics, and chemical industries.
- The increasing focus on emission control technologies has led to a rising demand for platinum in the Indian market, further reinforcing its importance.
Understanding these nuances is crucial for grasping the significance of PGMs in both local and global contexts.
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