Abstract
The mineral ilmenite (FeTiO3) is an important component of heavy-mineral placer deposits and constitutes the largest volume of valuable mineral in such deposits. The minerals zircon (ZrSiO4) and rutile (TiO2), which occur in lower concentrations than ilmenite in the deposits, have a greater value per ton – c. 1100 and 900 $/ton respectively – compared to ilmenite that ranges from 100 to 200 $/ton depending on its composition. Other minerals such as staurolite, sillimanite, amphibole and garnet are generally also present in placer deposits, but are of minor or no commercial value and, e.g. amphibole needs to be separated from the valuable heavy minerals which adds to the production cost.
Highlights
The mineral ilmenite (FeTiO3) is an important component of heavy-mineral placer deposits and constitutes the largest volume of valuable mineral in such deposits
Ilmenite is more valuable as a raw material in titanium dioxide manufacture if the titanium content is enhanced by natural leaching of the iron component
In June 2011, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland in cooperation with Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil set up a project to sample and analyse in situ Cretaceous sandstones, sands in river beds and sands from the coastal sediments
Summary
The mineral ilmenite (FeTiO3) is an important component of heavy-mineral placer deposits and constitutes the largest volume of valuable mineral in such deposits. 1100 and 900 $/ton respectively – compared to ilmenite that ranges from 100 to 200 $/ton depending on its composition. Other minerals such as staurolite, sillimanite, amphibole and garnet are generally present in placer deposits, but are of minor or no commercial value and, e.g. amphibole needs to be separated from the valuable heavy minerals which adds to the production cost. When exploring for potentially economic heavy-mineral placer deposits, both the variation in composition and distribution of ilmenite are of interest. A database with the characteristics of possible sediment sources is a key tool to investigate the distribution, composition and other characteristics
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