Vanadium has been discovered off the Gujarat Coast.
It was discovered in the samples collected by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
The samples were collected from the Gulf of Khambhat near the Alang town in Bhavnagar district.
Vanadium is a rare element. Titanomagnetite is the primary source of it. 88% of the world’s Vanadium is extracted from it.
Its lack of occurrence in pure form makes its extraction costly.
It has uses as industry raw material and has uses in the defence sector as well.
It can be used to strengthen steel and titanium. It is also used in jet engine parts and electrical components because of its durability against corrosion and high temperatures.
In February 2023, reserves of lithium were discovered in the Salal-Haimana area of the Reasi district. Lithium reserve was also found in Rajasthan’s Degana.
