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In this work, a complete beneficiation technical route combining physical and chemical methods, namely a roasting-flotation-leaching scheme, is proposed to produce a qualified grade Ti-concentrate from altered Vanadium titanomagnetite (VTM) ore. Based on the character of the ore sample, it is recommended to recover the Ti-bearing minerals, ilmenite and anatase, as composite mineral. Pretreatment experiments indicate that the oxidation roasting (800 °C) and acid washing methods increase the flotation indexes significantly. Flotation condition tests show that the optimal conditions are a grinding fineness of −0.045 mm 83%, sulfuric acid dosage of 2000 g/t, water glass dosage of 1500 g/t, oxalic acid dosage of 200 g/t, and EM328 dosage of 1500 g/t. An open flotation circuit test obtains a flotation concentrate with a TiO2 grade and recovery of 38.30% and 25.99%, respectively. A leaching exploration test shows that the TiO2 grade of the flotation concentrate can be improved to 53.90%. XRD analyses reveal that the ilmenite in the VTM ore is converted into anatase and rutile during the roasting process at 600–800 °C, but pseudobrookite begins to form at 900 °C. Compared to the flotation concentrate, it is confirmed that the content of Ti-bearing minerals is increased significantly in the leaching residue.

Mineral classification is an important preparation operation in the process of beneficiation. The classification effect directly affects the production capacity of grinding machines, product quality, subsequent separation of the concentrate grade, and recovery. To improve mineral classification accuracy and provide technical ideas for enriching the separation of fine materials, this paper proposes the use of a trapezoidal inclined channel agitated reflux classifier (TARC) to classify ultra-fine ilmenite. The principle of this separating system is based on a hindered settling effect and fluidization theory. This study focuses on the factors influencing the particle separation through the optimization of different experimental conditions. A satisfactory 10 µm classification efficiency of 67.89% could be obtained when the ore pulp concentration was 15%, the agitation speed was 350 r/min, and the underflow flux was 16 cm3/min. The TARC realized a continuous feeding classification of fine particles within a narrow particle size range, with 10 µm as the limit size, and an effective reduction in the entrainment of fine particles in the underflow and coarse particles in the overflow phenomena, thus achieving improved classification efficiency.

Massif-type mafic intrusions (gabbro and anorthosite) are known for their considerable resources of vanadium-bearing iron–titanium oxide ores. Massive-type gabbroic and anorthosite rocks are frequently associated with magmatic rocks that have significant quantities of iron, titanium, and vanadium. The most promising intrusions that host Fe-Ti oxide ores are the gabbroic rocks in the south-eastern desert. The ilmenite ore deposits are hosted in arc gabbroic and anorthosite rocks. They are classified into three types, namely black ore, red ore, and disseminated ore. The black ilmenite ore is located at the deeper level, while the oxidized red ore is mainly located at or near the surface. Petrographically, the gabbro and ilmenite ores indicate a crystallization sequence of plagioclase, titaniferous pyroxene, and ilmenite. This reveals that the ilmenite is a magmatic deposit formed by the liquid gravity concentration of ilmenite following the crystallization of feldspar and pyroxene. Meanwhile, quartz, tremolite, zoisite, and opaque minerals are accessory minerals. The Fe-Ti ores are composed of ilmenite hosting exsolved hematite lamellae of variable sizes and shapes, gangue silicate minerals, and some sulfides. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) data reveal the presence of two mineral phases: ilmenite and hematite formed by the unmixing of the ferroilmenite homogeneous phase upon cooling. As a result, the ore is mostly made up of hemo-ilmenite. Using an electron microscope (SEM), as well as by observing the textures seen by the ore microscope, ilmenite is the dominant Fe-Ti oxide and contains voluminous hematite exsolved crystals. Under the scanning electron microscope, ilmenite contained intergrowths of hematite as a thin sandwich and lens shape. The formation of hematite lamellae indicates an oxidation process. Mineral chemistry-based investigations reveal late/post-magmatic activity at high temperatures. The examined ilmenite plots on the ferro-ilmenite line were created by continuous solid solution over 800 °C, whereas the analyzed magnetite and Ti-magnetite plot near the magnetite line and were formed by continuous solid solution exceeding 600 °C.

The efficient separation of ilmenite is a difficult problem in minerals flotation. For this issue, α-aminooctyl phosphinic acid (APA) was developed as a selective collector to separate ilmenite. The flotation test result showed that APA was more efficient for improving ilmenite recovery compared with octylphosphonic acid (OPA). Adsorption, ZETA and FTIR measurements proved that the chemical interaction between collector APA and the surface of ilmenite was stronger than OPA, while the result is completely opposite in the case of titanaugite. Moreover, XPS test and DFT calculations indicated that the collector APA was coordinated with the surface of ilmenite through P-O-Fe and P-O-Ti bonding. The amine group in the α-site of the phosphonyl group facilitated APA to be a stable zwitterion in the solution, which greatly enhanced the nucleophilicity of the phosphonic acid group. On the other hand, more appropriate coordination energy was another reason for the superior collecting selectivity of APA than OPA.

High gradient magnetic separation is widely used in magnetic minerals upgrading, and its separation performance is significant depending on the parameters. In this investigation, the Mathematical model of the plate high gradient magnetic separator is established, the magnetic induction and the flow field distribution are investigated based on the COMSOL multi-physical simulation, and then the separation efficiency and TiO2 grade are analyzed using the plate high gradient magnetic separator. Additionally, the key factors affecting the efficiency of mineral separation are detailed in the experimental separation, the separation efficiency is demonstrated and its feasibility is verified by experiments. It is founded that the mathematical model and simulation results are basically validated by the experimental separation process, and the TiO2 grade can be effectively upgraded from 5.2% to 11.5% with the rinsing water consumption 9.5 L/min and the belt rotating speed 2 r/min. It is thus concluded that plate high gradient magnetic separator has provided an effective way in upgrading ilmenite quality.

To achieve the utilization of fine ilmenite (especially −0.075 mm) produced in the titanium-magnetite processing plant in Panzhihua, a radial turbulent outer-cylinder magnetic separator (RTOCMS), was developed in this study. After optimizing the conditions of rotation speed and water flow, an RTOCMS concentrate with TiO2 grade of 22.84% and TiO2 recovery of 66.93% was obtained through one-stage roughing pre-concentration flowsheet. Magnetic force and competing forces were calculated and analyzed to illustrate the pre-concentration mechanism, and the results revealed that the combination of high water flow and high rotation speed resulted in the most effective for pre-concentration of the fine ilmenite in the RTOCMS process. In addition, particle size analysis of the concentrate product indicated that the RTOCMS was effective for the recovery of medium particle sizes (−0.075 + 0.038 mm), with a continued enhancement for the recovery of fine-grained products (−0.038 mm). Hence, the RTOCMS provides an effective way to pre-concentrate fine ilmenite ore.

For several decades, the metallurgical industry and the research community worldwide have been challenged to develop energy-efficient and low-cost titanium production processes. The expensive and energy-consuming Kroll process produces titanium metal commercially, which is highly matured and optimized. Titanium’s strong affinity for oxygen implies that conventional Ti metal production processes are energy-intensive. Over the past several decades, research and development have been focusing on new processes to replace the Kroll process. Two fundamental groups are categorized for these methods: thermochemical and electrochemical. This literature review gives an insight into the titanium industry, including the titanium resources and processes of production. It focuses on ilmenite as a major source of titanium and some effective methods for producing titanium through extractive metallurgy processes and presents a critical view of the opportunities and challenges.

Collectors commonly have synergetic effects in ores flotation. In this work, a waste engine oil (WEO) was introduced as a collector to an ilmenite flotation system with sodium oleate (NaOL). The results show that the floatability of ilmenite was significantly improved by using WEO and NaOL as a combined collector. The recovery of ilmenite was enhanced from 71.26% (only NaOL) to 93.89% (WEO/NaOL combined collector) at the pH of 6.72. The optimum molar ratio of NaOL to WEO was about 2.08 to 1. The WEO and NaOL also have synergetic effects for the collection of ilmenite, because to obtain the ilmenite recovery of 53.96%, the dosage of 45 mg/L NaOL is equal to 38.56 mg/L WEO/NaOL combined collector (30 mg/L NaOL + 8.56 mg/L WEO). In other words, 15 mg/L of NaOL can be replaced by 8.56 mg/L of WEO. It is an effective way to reduce the dosage of the collector and reuse WEO. Therefore, it is a highly valuable and environmentally friendly approach for WEO reuse. WEO mainly consists of oxygen functional groups, aromatics, and long-chain hydrocarbons, especially for the RCONH2 and RCOOH, thereby forming a strong interaction on the ilmenite surface. The adsorption mechanism of waste engine oil and sodium oleate on the ilmenite surface is mainly contributed by chemical adsorption. Therefore, WEO exhibits superior synergistic power with NaOL as a combined collector. Herein, this work provided an effective collector for ilmenite flotation and a feasible approach for reducing NaOL dosage and recycling WEO.

Heavy mineral sands are the source of various commodities such as white titanium dioxide pigment and titanium metal. The three case studies in this paper show the value of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and statistical methods such as data clustering for process optimization and quality control during heavy mineral processing. The potential of XRD as an automatable, reliable tool, useful in the characterization of heavy mineral concentrates, product streams and titania slag is demonstrated. The recent development of ultra-high-speed X-ray detectors and automated quantification allows for ‘on the fly’ quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis and truly interactive process control, especially in the sector of heavy mineral concentration and processing. Apart from the information about the composition of a raw ore, heavy mineral concentrate and the various product streams or titania slag, this paper provides useful information by the quantitative determination of the crystalline phases and the amorphous content. The analysis of the phases can help to optimize the concentration of ores and reduction of ilmenite concentrate. Traditionally, quality control of heavy mineral concentrates and titania slag relies mainly on elemental, chemical, gravimetrical, and magnetic analysis. Since the efficiency of concentration of minerals in the different product streams and reduction depends on the content of the different minerals, and for the latter on the titanium and iron phases such as ilmenite FeTiO3, rutile TiO2, anatase TiO2, or the various titanium oxides with different oxidation stages, fast and direct analysis of the phases is required.

The production of ferroalloys and alloys like ferronickel, ferrochromium, ferromanganese, silicomanganese, ferrosilicon and silicon is commonly carried out in submerged arc furnaces. Submerged arc furnaces are also used to upgrade ilmenite by producing pig iron and a titania-rich slag. Metal containing resources are smelted in this furnace type using fossil carbon as a reducing agent, which is responsible for a large amount of direct CO2 emissions in those processes. Instead, renewable bio-based carbon could be a viable direct replacement of fossil carbon currently investigated by research institutions and companies to lower the CO2 footprint of produced alloys. A second option could be the usage of hydrogen. However, hydrogen has the disadvantages that current production facilities relying on solid reducing agents need to be adjusted. Furthermore, hydrogen reduction of ignoble metals like chromium, manganese and silicon is only possible at very low H2O/H2 partial pressure ratios. The present article is a comprehensive review of the research carried out regarding the utilization of bio-based carbon for the processing of the mentioned products. Starting with the potential impact of the ferroalloy industry on greenhouse gas emissions, followed by a general description of bio-based reducing agents and unit operations covered by this review, each following chapter presents current research carried out to produce each metal. Most studies focused on pre-reduction or solid-state reduction except the silicon industry, which instead had a strong focus on smelting up to an industrial-scale and the design of bio-based carbon for submerged arc furnace processes. Those results might be transferable to other submerged arc furnace processes as well and could help to accelerate research to produce other metals. Deviations between the amount of research and scale of tests for the same unit operation but different metal resources were identified and closer cooperation could be helpful to transfer knowledge from one area to another. Life cycle assessment to produce ferronickel and silicon already revealed the potential of bio-based reducing agents in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, but was not carried out for other metals until now.

Ilmenite disseminated grain size is relatively fine, and it must be finely ground to fully separate ilmenite from gangue and then produce fine-grained minerals, which deteriorates flotation. A novel method using buoyant carriers to improve the recovery of fine ilmenite in froth flotation was introduced in this study. Hydrophobized glass bubbles (HGB) as carrier materials were obtained by an efficient, simple modification of ordinary glass bubbles. The carrier flotation of fine ilmenite in the presence of HGB was investigated by micro flotation tests, X-ray diffractometer analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), optical microscope observation, and the extended DLVO theory (XDLVO). Micro-flotation results showed that the recovery of fine ilmenite in presence of HGB was 37.7% higher than that when using NaOL alone at pH 6. FTIR analysis and optical microscope observation revealed that fine ilmenite particles can be closely attached on the HGB surface to increase apparent particle size considerably. The data calculated from the DLVO theory indicated that the acid–base interaction force determined the adsorption between two hydrophobic particles.

The phase evolution mechanism and purification of titanium oxycarbide (TiCxOy) synthesized via the carbothermal reduction of ilmenite are investigated. The reaction process and products of the performed carbothermal reduction are analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy disperse spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS) and enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity (HSC) thermodynamic software. According to the shapes of Ti 2p3/2 and Ti 2p1/2 peaks in XPS spectra, together with the XRD analyses, the reduction products of TiO, TiCxOy or TiC can be judged. The phase evolution mechanism involves FeTi2O5, Ti2O3, Fe, TiO, TiCxOy and TiC under enhancing the content of carbon. The phase evolution law can be written as FeTiO3 → FeTi2O5 → Ti2O3 + Fe → TiO + Fe → TiCxOy + Fe. Due to the incomplete reduction state of TiCxOy, the ΔGθ of TiCxOy is detected between TiC and TiO. TiCxOy could be attained under reduction conditions of Ti:C, 1:3–1:4 in argon atmosphere at 1550 °C after 2 h. Grinding, flotation and magnetic separation processes displayed that C, TiCxOy and Fe are not dissociated until the particle size of −38 μm. TiCxOy and Fe can be separated by an iron-bath in a high temperature. 95.56% TiCxOy can be obtained, and resistance of TiCxOy is less than 0.05 Ω.

Ilmenite is a vital raw material for the production of metal titanium and titanium-containing materials. In this paper, microstructure and chemical transformation of natural ilmenite in air atmosphere were investigated by the analysis of XRF, X-ray diffractometer, and SEM-EDS. Results showed that the untreated ilmenite had three layers after oxidation at 800 °C for 60 min, which were Fe2O3, TiO2 and the inside mixture layer of Fe2O3 and TiO2 in turn. Subsequently, it was roasted at 900 °C, and Fe2Ti3O9 was firstly developed between Fe2O3 and TiO2 layers. With the increase in the roasting time, the Fe2Ti3O9 layer was decomposed into Fe2TiO5 and TiO2, and Fe2Ti3O9 continued to be formed along the diameter direction toward the center of the particle until Fe2TiO5 and TiO2 were formed as the final products in the center of particles. Pseudorutile in natural ilmenite was directly decomposed into TiO2 and Fe2O3 in the roasting process.

The magmatic and sub-solidus evolution of calcic amphiboles and Fe–Ti oxides was investigated in the Neoproterozoic Frog Lake pluton, Nova Scotia, Canada, in order to understand the relationship between the history of hydrous magma and the resulting mineralogy. The pluton occurs as sheet-like bodies of hornblende gabbro and hornblendite, with lesser tonalite dykes and granite bodies, interlayed with screens of medium-grade metamorphic country rock. Small, diffuse clots of felsic minerals are present in the gabbro. The subsolidus growth of actinolite occurs in early clinopyroxenes and amphiboles. Ilmenite is the dominant Fe–Ti oxide, as interstitial magmatic crystals. The increase of Mn towards the margin of the ilmenite crystals indicates a gradual increase in oxygen fugacity with time, leading to the precipitation of titanite and ferrohypersthene. The replacement of titanite by ilmenite and ilmenite lamellae in the amphiboles suggests subsequent reducing conditions during the sub-solidus crystallisation. The gabbros in the coeval, but apparently shallower, Jeffers Brook granodiorite laccolith have dominant magnetite and Mg-rich subsolidus amphiboles, which are indicative of high oxygen fugacity. The differences between the two plutons suggest that there was a greater flux of hydrothermal water through the sheet-like architecture of the Frog Lake pluton.

During the period 750–600 Ma ago, prior to the final break-up of the supercontinent Rodinia, the crust of both the North American Craton and Baltica was intruded by significant amounts of rift-related magmas originating from the mantle. In the Proterozoic crust of Southern Norway, the 580 Ma old Fen carbonatite-ultramafic complex is a representative of this type of rocks. In this paper, we report the occurrence of an ultramafic lamprophyre dyke which possibly is linked to the Fen complex, although 40Ar/39Ar data from phenocrystic phlogopite from the dyke gave an age of 686 ± 9 Ma. The lamprophyre dyke was recently discovered in one of the Kongsberg silver mines at Vinoren, Norway. Whole rock geochemistry, geochronological and mineralogical data from the ultramafic lamprophyre dyke are presented aiming to elucidate its origin and possible geodynamic setting. From the whole-rock composition of the Vinoren dyke, the rock could be recognized as transitional between carbonatite and kimberlite-II (orangeite). From its diagnostic mineralogy, the rock is classified as aillikite. The compositions and xenocrystic nature of several of the major and accessory minerals from the Vinoren aillikite are characteristic for diamondiferous rocks (kimberlites/lamproites/UML): Phlogopite with kinoshitalite-rich rims, chromite-spinel-ulvöspinel series, Mg- and Mn-rich ilmenites, rutile and lucasite-(Ce). We suggest that the aillikite melt formed during partial melting of a MARID (mica-amphibole-rutile-ilmenite-diopside)-like source under CO2 fluxing. The pre-rifting geodynamic setting of the Vinoren aillikite before the Rodinia supercontinent breakup suggests a relatively thick SCLM (Subcontinental Lithospheric Mantle) during this stage and might indicate a diamond-bearing source for the parental melt. This is in contrast to the about 100 Ma younger Fen complex, which were derived from a thin SCLM.

In order to have a good understanding of the treatment process and improvement on the market value of ilmenite beach placer sands, knowledge of its mineral composition and phase distribution is fundamental. In this study, a combination of characterization techniques including high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron (HR-TEM) microscope, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques was used to understand the mineralogical characteristics of ilmenite beach placer sands obtained from Richards Bay, South Africa. The mineral phase constituents of the ilmenite beach placer sands were studied before pre-oxidation and additive leaching in a chloride environment. During observations using XRD and HR-SEM, the ilmenite beach placer sands exhibited signature rhombohedral crystal form and crescentic pits with evidence of alteration phases. The characterized pre-oxidized ilmenite showed the presence of a ferric oxide film deposit of the particles. The leaching characteristics of both raw and pre-oxidized ilmenite was studied in the presence of additives. The leaching efficiency of the pre-oxidized ilmenite in the presence of additives increased by 20% at atmospheric conditions. The characterized residues show the improved amenability of pre-oxidized leach in chloride media. The formation of new phases containing pseudo-rutile indicated crystallographic disintegration by the movement of atoms during dissolution. Some particles retained the crescentic pit and the subangular grain structure; however, the phase changes were observed at the grain boundaries and grain edges. The leached residue’s EDS results still indicated the presence of pseudo-rutile and some minor unreacted oxides such as SiO2, Al2O3, and other trace metals. The trace metals impurities present in the as-received ilmenite were reduced by 80% in the final residue after the leaching.

In this study, salicylhydroxamic acid (SHA), which exhibits superior flotation performance to conventional collector benzohydroxamic acid (BHA), was first introduced in ilmenite flotation. The addition of lead(II) can significantly increase the recovery of ilmenite using SHA as collector. Thus, the adsorption mechanism of SHA on lead(II)-activated ilmenite surface was systematically studied using micro-flotation tests, adsorption analysis, zeta potential measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Micro-flotation results revealed that SHA had stronger collecting ability than BHA, and ilmenite floatability could be activated by lead ions with either SHA or BHA as collector. Ilmenite showed good floatability at pH 6–8 (over 90% recovery) in the presence of Pb2+ and SHA. In such conditions, the main lead species of Pb(OH)+ and Pb2+ acted as active sites and caused positive surface potential shifts, thereby increasing the adsorbed amounts of negatively charged SHA on the surface of the mineral. FTIR and XPS analyses suggested that the lead species was chemically adsorbed on the surface of ilmenite to form active sites chelated by SHA. Moreover, the free lead ions in solution might form the Pb–SHA complexes to adsorb on the mineral surface, thereby increasing the floatability of ilmenite.

Studies that track and compiled transformations of ilmenite and magnetite under conditions of different metamorphic grades are still very limited. The Sedova Zaimka intrusion in Western Siberia (Russia) is a good example to examine the effect of contact metamorphism from greenschist to low-amphibolite facies on magmatic Fe-Ti oxide minerals, as this small mafic-ultramafic body is located within contact metamorphic aureole of a large granite pluton. In the Sedova Zaimka, ilmenite with little to no magnetite is present as an accessory dissemination throughout metamorphosed rocks. Ilmenite is variably enriched in MnO (1 to 13.3 wt%) and depleted in MgO (less than 0.3 wt%), suggesting that its primary magmatic composition has been unevenly modified by diffusion re-equilibrium with coexisting metamorphic silicates. The elevated content of ZnO (up to 0.5 wt%) and NiO (up to 0.4 wt%) in ilmenite suggests that both ZnO and NiO, like MnO, must be strongly partitioned into ilmenite relatively to silicate minerals under the reducing contact metamorphic conditions, if chromite is absent. The textural observations of ilmenite−sulfide and ilmenite−titanite−sulfide relationships indicate that Ti-magnetite, in contrast to ilmenite, is an unstable phase in the presence of sulfur-rich reduced metamorphic fluids and is completely replaced by sulfides, with the development of specific “octahedral meshes” of ilmenite in sulfides.

The placer deposit at Barrytown, New Zealand, has been worked for gold and is known for high levels of ilmenite that has not been exploited. Other heavy minerals are present but have not been well characterized, which is the purpose of this research. Sand grains were separated into the density fractions and the heavier fractions analyzed by laser ablation ICP-MS for elemental composition and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) EDS in whole grains and polished sections. Grain size distributions were determined from SEM images of polished grain mounts. Elemental associations have been identified with different minerals. A wide range of ore minerals, or potential useful industrial minerals, have been shown to be present largely as individual sand grains. These include gold, ilmenite, garnet, zircon, monazite, allanite, uraninite, thorite, cassiterite, wolframite, scheelite, and columbite. The ilmenite contains many inclusions, consisting of silicates and phosphates and 100−400 ppm Nb. Scandium is found to be present in zircon at 100−600 ppm along with 3000 ppm Y. Monazite is depleted in Eu relative to chondrite and contains Ga and Ge at 1000−3000 ppm. Because the sand grains are mostly individual minerals, it is suggested that separation may be possible using a combination of density, electrostatic and magnetic methods to obtain almost pure mineral fractions. This knowledge should inform decisions on potential exploitation of the resource.

In this paper, a novel collector, dodecyl dimethyl betaine (BS-12), was used in the selective separation of ilmenite from titanaugite. The flotation performance and associated adsorption mechanism were studied by micro-flotation experiments, particle size analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The micro-flotation results indicated that BS-12 exhibited a stronger collecting ability towards ilmenite than titanaugite within an acidic pH range, and that the recovery of ilmenite was about 50% higher than that of titanaugite under the optimum flotation conditions. Particle size analysis demonstrated that BS-12 could selectively agglomerate ilmenite to a certain extent and then contribute to the flotation difference between ilmenite and titanaugite. FT-IR results showed some characteristic bands of BS-12 on treated ilmenite, and on titanaugite with BS-12. The XPS analysis further confirmed that BS-12 chemisorbed onto ilmenite and titanaugite in a similar way, but the limited active sites on titanaugite in comparison with ilmenite accounted for their differences in flotation.

The iron titanium oxide ilmenite (FeTiO3) is a technologically and economically important mineral in the industrial preparation of titanium-based pigments and spintronic devices. In this study, atomistic simulation techniques based on classical pair potentials are used to examine the energetics of the intrinsic and extrinsic defects and diffusion of Fe2+ ions in FeTiO3. It is calculated that the cation anti-site (Fe‒Ti) cluster is the most dominant defect, suggesting that a small amount of cations exchange their positions, forming a disordered structure. The formation of Fe Frenkel is highly endoergic and calculated to be the second most stable defect process. The Fe2+ ions migrate in the ab plane with the activation energy of 0.52 eV, inferring fast ion diffusion. Mn2+ and Ge4+ ions are found to be the prominent isovalent dopants at the Fe and Ti site, respectively. The formation of additional Fe2+ ions and O vacancies was considered by substituting trivalent dopants (Al3+, Mn3+, Ga3+, Sc3+, In3+, Yb3+, Y3+, Ga3+, and La3+) at the Ti site. Though Ga3+ is found to be the candidate dopant, its solution enthalpy is >3 eV, suggesting that the formation is not significant at operating temperatures.

Phase transitions of Mg2TiO4 and Fe2TiO4 were examined up to 28 GPa and 1600 °C using a multianvil apparatus. The quenched samples were examined by powder X-ray diffraction. With increasing pressure at high temperature, spinel-type Mg2TiO4 decomposes into MgO and ilmenite-type MgTiO3 which further transforms to perovskite-type MgTiO3. At ~21 GPa, the assemblage of MgTiO3 perovskite + MgO changes to 2MgO + TiO2 with baddeleyite (or orthorhombic I)-type structure. Fe2TiO4 undergoes transitions similar to Mg2TiO4 with pressure: spinel-type Fe2TiO4 dissociates into FeO and ilmenite-type FeTiO3 which transforms to perovskite-type FeTiO3. Both of MgTiO3 and FeTiO3 perovskites change to LiNbO3-type phases on release of pressure. In Fe2TiO4, however, perovskite-type FeTiO3 and FeO combine into calcium titanate-type Fe2TiO4 at ~15 GPa. The formation of calcium titanate-type Fe2TiO4 at high pressure may be explained by effects of crystal field stabilization and high spin−low spin transition in Fe2+ in the octahedral sites of calcium titanate-type Fe2TiO4. It is inferred from the determined phase relations that some of Fe2TiO4-rich titanomagnetite inclusions in diamonds recently found in São Luiz, Juina, Brazil, may be originally calcium titanate-type Fe2TiO4 at pressure above ~15 GPa in the transition zone or lower mantle and transformed to spinel-type in the upper mantle conditions.

In this study, mineralogical analysis and beneficiation experiments were conducted using a placer deposit of North Korea, on which limited information was available, to confirm the feasibility of development. Rare earth elements (REEs) have vital applications in modern technology and are growing in importance in the fourth industrial revolution. However, the price of REEs is unstable due to the imbalance between supply and demand, and tremendous efforts are being made to produce REEs sustainably. One of them is the evaluation of new rare earth mines and the verification of their feasibility. As a result of a mineralogical analysis, in this placer deposit, monazite and some amount of xenotime were the main REE-bearing minerals. Besides these minerals, ilmenite and zircon were the target minerals to be concentrated. Using a magnetic separation method at various magnetic intensities, paramagnetic minerals, ilmenite (0.8 T magnetic product), and monazite/xenotime (1.0–1.4 T magnetic product) were recovered selectively. Using a magnetic separation result, the beneficiation process was conducted with additional gravity separation for zircon to produce a valuable mineral concentrate. The process resulted in three kinds of mineral concentrates (ilmenite, REE-bearing mineral, and zircon). The content of ilmenite increased from 32.5% to 90.9%, and the total rare earth oxide (TREO) (%) of the REE-bearing mineral concentrates reached 45.0%. The zircon concentrate, a by-product of this process, had a Zr grade of 42.8%. Consequently, it was possible to produce concentrates by combining relatively simple separation processes compared to the conventional process for rare earth placer deposit and confirmed the possibility of mine development.

The titanomagnetite of the Lac Doré Complex, an Archean layered intrusion that is located in the Abitibi greenstone belt in Québec (Canada), contains a wide variety of exsolution textures, which are the remnants of a complex cooling history. In the present study, we reconstitute the decomposition stages of the original solid solution in order to explain the formation of ilmenite, Al-spinel (hercynite and gahnite), and corundum exsolutions in magnetite. This was conducted through a detailed mineralogical and textural examination and in situ determination of mineral chemistry. Our investigation reveals two discrete types of ilmenite exsolutions, which are ascribed, respectively, to the oxidation of ulvöspinel at temperatures above and below the magnetite-ulvöspinel solvus. Exsolutions of Al-spinel result from either a decrease in the solubility of the (FeZn)Al2O4 components upon cooling, or local excesses of Al and Zn due to the removal of ulvöspinel during the early oxidation. The origin of corundum is ascribed to the oxidation of pre-existing hercynite exsolutions. The trace element composition of the titanomagnetite indicates stratigraphic reversals in Cr, Mg, Co, Ti, and Si and important changes in redox conditions. We interpret this as a direct consequence of a major event of magma chamber replenishment, which strongly influenced the distribution of exsolutions.

The Kunene Intrusive Complex (KIC), in NW Namibia and SW Angola, is one of the largest Proterozoic anorthosite massif-type exposures in the world. A geochemical, mineralogical and petrological study of four Fe–Ti(–V) oxide bodies located in the understudied Angolan part of the KIC has been performed. The massive Fe–Ti(–V) oxide bodies, locally apatite-rich (nelsonites), are lenticular or dike-like. They consist mostly of titaniferous magnetite, ilmenite and minor aluminous spinel, apatite, olivine and graphite. Titaniferous magnetite displays a wide variety of subsolvus features, including aluminous spinel–magnetite–ulvöspinel exsolutions and ilmenite (Trellis) exsolutions. This work estimated the composition of the titaniferous magnetite prior to the exsolution, in order to calculate the temperature and oxygen fugacity of the different lithologies of each ore body. The thermo-oxybarometry results obtained range from 600 °C to 820 °C and fO2 from 10−24.7 to 10−14.7. These values do not correspond to magmatic crystallization in equilibrium, but to a later re-equilibration. In addition, the mineralogical and geochemical results indicate that the studied ore bodies contain economic reserves of Ti, V, and possibly of P and REE.

A large number of unexploited low-grade vanadium-titanium magnetite deposits have been found in the Chao-yang area of China in recent years. The reserves are estimated at more than 20 billion tons. A mineralogical study of raw sample indicated that it was a typical low-grade vanadium-titanium magnetite ore with weathering. Most of vanadium-titanium magnetite was replaced by martite and sphene, which would affect the recovery of valuable elements. The intergrowth relationship between vanadium-titanium magnetite and sphene was very complex, and the grain size of sphene was generally fine, and could not be completely liberated even by fine grinding, whereas the content of vanadium and titanium in sphene was higher than that in vanadium-titanium magnetite, resulting in vanadium-titanium magnetite concentrates with characteristics of high vanadium and titanium content. A magnetic separation process was investigated for the pre-concentration of low-grade vanadium-titanium magnetite ore. The results showed that 73.52% of feed ore were directly discarded for reducing the processing capacity of follow-up processing. A vanadium-titanium magnetite concentrate with 1.14% V2O5, 22.22% TiO2, 42.51% Fe and a rough concentrate of ilmenite with 16.05% TiO2, 20.77% Fe were obtained from low-grade vanadium-titanium magnetite ore which contains 0.050% V2O5, 1.67% TiO2 and 8.53% Fe.

Flotation technology of the recovery and utilization of ilmenite from tailings of iron beneficiated in Panzhihua was investigated based on mineralogical study. The results of mineralogical study show that the main occurrence of the valuable mineral are liberated grains of ilmenite. Experimental results of flotation conditions show that attrition-scrubbing raw ores exhibit good flotability with higher recoveries and a slight decrease in grade compared to ores without attrition-scrubbing. Further, open-circuit experiments also prove the superiority of attrition-scrubbing raw ores. The results of closed-circuit experiments show that qualified ilmenite concentrate can be obtained and the yield, grade, and recovery are 22.26%, 47.06%, and 60.73%, respectively. Theoretical study and analysis show that there are two contributions to superior flotability for attrition-scrubbing samples. The first is that the attrition-scrubbing samples can uncover more ferrous ions on the newly-produced fresh ilmenite surface, resulting in the increase in active sites. The other is that in the process of attrition-scrubbing, the transformation of ferrous ions to ferric ions can be promoted.