Context:

• IIT-Ropar researchers discovered rare metal viz. tantalum in Sutlej which is used in electronics and semiconductors.

Rare Metal Tantalum in Sutlej River

• 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 river 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 hard, lustrous transition metal that is highly corrosion resistant. 
  • It has the symbol Ta and atomic number 73. 

• 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:  It is widely used in electronic components, such as capacitors and high power resistors, in the production of alloys and superalloys, in making high refractive index glass, vacuum furnace parts and orthopedic material.

About Sutlej River 

• Origin: The Satlej River originates in the Rakas lake near Mansarovar at an altitude of 4,555 m in Tibet where it is known as Langchen Khambab. 
• River Course: It flows almost parallel to the Indus for about 400 km before entering India, and comes out of a gorge at Rupar. 
  • Sutlej River 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.

Subject: IE