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[[Image:Ilmenit%2C_W%C5%82ochy.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Ilmenite]] |
[[Image:Ilmenit%2C_W%C5%82ochy.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Ilmenite (''unknown scale - see discussion pages'')]] |
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'''Ilmenite''' is a weakly [[Magnetism|magnetic]] iron-black or steel-gray [[mineral]] found in [[metamorphic rock|metamorphic]] and [[igneous rock]]s. It is a [[crystal]]line [[iron]] [[titanium]] [[oxide]] (FeTiO<sub>3</sub>). It crystallizes in the [[rhombohedral]] system, and it has the same crystal structure as [[corundum]] and [[hematite]]. |
'''Ilmenite''' is a weakly [[Magnetism|magnetic]] iron-black or steel-gray [[mineral]] found in [[metamorphic rock|metamorphic]] and [[igneous rock]]s. It is a [[crystal]]line [[iron]] [[titanium]] [[oxide]] (FeTiO<sub>3</sub>). It crystallizes in the [[rhombohedral]] system, and it has the same crystal structure as [[corundum]] and [[hematite]]. |
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Ilmenite is a weakly magnetic iron-black or steel-gray mineral found in metamorphic and igneous rocks. It is a crystalline iron titanium oxide (FeTiO3). It crystallizes in the rhombohedral system, and it has the same crystal structure as corundum and hematite.
Many mafic igneous rocks contain grains of intergrown magnetite and ilmenite, formed by the oxidation of ulvospinel. Ilmenite also occurs as discrete grains, typically with some hematite in solid solution, and complete solid solution exists between the two minerals at temperatures above about 950°C. Ilmenite also forms solid solutions with geikielite (MgTiO3). It is commonly massive, but also occurs in rhombohedral crystals.
Titanium was identified for the first time by William Gregorin1791 in Ilmenite from the Manaccan valley.
Ilmeniste is named after the locality of its discovery in the Il'menski Mountains, near Miass, Russia,
The majority of the ilmenite mined is used as a raw material for pigment production. The product is titanium dioxide, which is ground into a fine powder which is highly white substance used as a base in high-quality paint, paper and plastics applications.
The majority of consumption of titanium dioxide pigment is centralised in North America and Europe, which between them account for around 50% of world demand. Indo-Chinese demand is however rapidly growing and may eventually eclipse Western consumption.
World consumption rises approximately 5% per annum to 8% per annum, with demand growth most strongly centred in Asian economies. World demand in 2004 was 335,000 tonnes of TiO[sub]2[/sub] units, representing about 2.4 million tonnes of ilmenite.
Ilmenite is converted into titanium dioxide via the sulphate process. Sulphate process plants must utilise low-vanadium ilmenite, as vanadium is a penalty element. Titanium dioxide pigment can also be produced from higher titanium feedstocks such as rutile and leucoxene via a chloride acid process.
| Estimated titanium ore production in thousands of tons for 2006 according to U.S. Geological Survey[1] Template:Standard table |
Country | Production |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1,140 | |
| South Africa | 952 | |
| Canada | 809 | |
| China | 400 | |
| Norway | 380 | |
| United States | 300 | |
| Ukraine | 220 | |
| India | 200 | |
| Brazil | 130 | |
| Vietnam | 100 | |
| Mozambique | (750) | |
| Madagascar | (700) | |
| Senegal | (150) | |
| Other countries | 120 | |
| Total world | 4,800 |
|}
Australia was the world's largest producer and exporter of ilmenite ore in 2005-2006, with 1.1 million tonnes, followed by South Africa (952Kt), Canada (809Kt), China (~400Kt) and Norway (380Kt) 1.
Development of large mineral sands operations in Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Madagascar and Mozambique will see extensive supplies of ilmenite, rutile, zircon and leucoxene reach world markets in coming years. This is reflected in the table at right in parentheses. This additional supply of ilmenite and titanium feedstock, appriximating 1.5 million tonnes per annum, is in excess to world demand growth of 350Kt per annum.
Although most ilmenite is recovered from heavy mineral sands ore deposits, ilmenite can also be recovered from layered intrusive sources colloquially known as "hard rock titanium" ore sources.
The world's largest open cast ilmenite mine is the Tellnes mine located in Sokndal, Norway and run by Titania AS (owned by Kronos Worldwide Inc.), a hard rock ilmenite mine, which produces most of Norway's 380,000t of ilmenite production. In Karhujupukka located in Kolari, northern Finland there is a magnetite - ilmenite ore at around 5 million tons. The ore contains about 6.2% titanium.
The Balla Balla magnetitite iron-titanium-vanadium ore deposit, in the PilbaraofWestern Australia, contains ~600 million tonnes of magnetite-ilmenite cumulate ore horizon grading 58% Fe, 14% TiO2 and 0.8% V2O5, one of the richest magnetite-ilmenite ore bodies in Australia. The ore deposit is scheduled to be mined in mid-2009, to produce in excess of 480,000t per annum of ilmenite product, by Australian mining company Aurox Resources Limited.
Major mineral sands operations include: Richard Bay, South Africa; Coburn, WIM 50, Douglas, Pooncarrie, Murray Basin, Eneabba in Australia.
Ilmenite has been found in Moon rocks, and in 2005 NASA used the Hubble Space Telescope to locate potentially ilmenite-rich locations. This mineral could be essential to an eventual Moon base, as ilmenite would provide a source of iron and titanium for the building of structures and essential oxygen extraction.
