Context: Recently, Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar has detected the presence of tantalum, a rare metal, in the Sutlej river sand in Punjab.

Key findings

• According to the Punjab Mining and Geology Department, the discovery of tantalum in Sutlej is not only significant for Punjab but for India, given its value in terms of its use in electronics and semi-conductors. 

• Discovery: The researchers were working on an unrelated project and found the metal in samples collected from the Sutlej basin.

• The experiments were aimed at studying dynamic properties of soil and rocks and how these would have a bearing in case of an earthquake.

• Quantity: Detailed studies are likely to shed more light on the quantum of the metal in the river. 

About Tantalum

• Tantalum is a chemical element with symbol Ta and atomic number 73 in the periodic table.

• It is very hard, ductile, lustrous, bluish-grey transition metal that is highly corrosion resistant.

• It has a melting point of 5,463 °F (2,996 °C), the 4th highest of all metals.

• Importance: The annual report of the Union Ministry of Mines for 2020-21 identified it as one of the 12 critical and strategic minerals. 

• Production: Rwanda is one of the world’s largest producers of tantalum.

Uses of Tantalum

• Production of electronic components

• In the making of surgical implants

• Can replace bone, connect torn nerves and bind abdominal muscle

• As electrodes for neon lights and in glass for special lenses

• High-temperature applications, such as aircraft engines

• Note: Critical mineral is a metallic or non-metallic element that is essential for the functioning of our modern technologies, economies or national security. They are 30 in number in India.

About Sutlej River

• Origin: The Satluj originates in the Rakas lake near Mansarovar at an altitude of 4,555 m in Tibet where it is known as Langchen Khambab. 

• Sutlej River is longest of the 5 tributaries of the Indus River that give the Punjab (meaning “Five Rivers”) region its name. 80% of the catchment area of River Sutlej is in China.

• River Course: It flows almost parallel to the Indus for about 400 km before entering India, and comes out of a gorge at Rupar. 

• It passes through the Shipki La on the Himalayan ranges and enters the Punjab plains. It is an antecedent river. 

• It meets the Beas River in Harike-Patan in Punjab, India and flows to Pakistan to join the Chenab River, creating the Panjnad River (Five Rivers Of Punjab). 

• Length: The total length of the river is about 1550 km of which 529 km is in Pakistan.

• Tributaries: The Sutlej River has many tributaries, including Baspa, Beas, Nogli Khad, Soan and Spiti.

• Significance: It is a very important tributary of Indus and it feeds the canal system of the Bhakra Nangal project.

• There are various hydroelectric power and irrigation projects over the river like the Kol Dam, Bhakra Nangal Dam, Baspa Hydroelectric Power Project, and Nathpa Jhakri Project.