Ilmenite and Rutile (Titanium dioxide)
Titanium is the ninth-most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Titanium dioxide products are more prevalent than zircon, with an average titanium dioxide to zircon ratio of 5:1 in typical mineral sands deposits.
Ilmenite and rutile are titanium dioxide (TiO2) based products. They are categorized based on the level of TiO2 they contain. The higher the titanium dioxide component the more valuable the product is. Ilmenite contains 45% to 65% of TiO2. Rutile has 90% to 100% of TiO2.
Titanium dioxide is highly valued for its non‐toxicity, brightness and exceptional refractive index. It is predominately used as white pigment for the manufacture of paints and coatings (accounting for half of all TiO2 consumption), followed by inks, fibers, rubber, food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Another major application of titanium feedstock is in the manufacturing of welding electrodes and titanium metal used in commercial aerospace, defense, medical and sports equipment industries.
Zircon
Zircon, another component of mineral sands, plays a major role in ceramic tile manufacturing, metal casting processes, and air and water purification systems.
The ceramics industry accounts for more than 50 per cent of global zircon consumption. This mineral is used as an opacifier in the surface glazes and pigments in the manufacturing of tiles, sanitary-ware and tableware.
Zircon’s distinctive properties, such as heat and wear resistance, stability, opacity, hardness, and strength, make it also widely sought after as a components in refractories, foundries, foundry sand and CRT glass.
The production of zirconium chemicals is rapidly growing. They are used in paper coatings, paint driers, catalysts and cosmetics like antiperspirants. Other minor applications include the nuclear power and medicine industries.
Rare earth elements
Mineral sands deposits also contain rare earth elements (REEs) sourced from monazite, such as cerium, lanthanum, praseodymium and neodymium. Despite their name, these elements are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust, but they are often dispersed and commonly not concentrated in economically exploitable deposits. Since these critical minerals cohabitate with our mineral sands deposits, they are separated into concentrated rare earths as part of our normal mineral sands processing and production. Therefore, we have a significantly lower environmental footprint in comparison to many existing producers.
Rare earths are known for their unique properties, making them technologically, environmentally, and economically important across the globe. REEs are essential components in various high-tech applications, including electronics, renewable energy technologies, catalysis, and defense systems.
For instance, neodymium and praseodymium are vital for producing high-strength permanent magnets used in consumer electronics, electric vehicle motors and wind turbines. Notably, a single wind turbine can require up to 2 tons of REE permanent magnets. Cerium is utilized in catalysts for automotive emission control systems. Other specific applications include medical equipment, lasers, glass production, including lenses for cameras and optical instruments, and even jewelry.
Due to their critical importance in advancing modern industries and sustainable technologies, securing a stable supply of rare earth elements has become a priority for many countries, driving efforts to explore new sources, improve recycling technologies, and enhance sustainable mining practices.
