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The article discusses the failure of the mining firm Rio Tinto to engage in ecological conservation efforts at its ilmenite mines in Madagascar. Topics include the vulnerability of Madagascar's littoral forest ecosystems, the failure of the Rio Tinto subsidiary QIT Madagascar Materials (QMM) to meet its biodiversity goals, and Rio Tinto's net positive impact (NPI) conservation strategy.

Researchers from the University of Indonesia have published a study on the use of nanocrystals in energy applications. The study focused on the use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocrystals, which have various strategic uses such as antimicrobial properties and dye-sensitized solar cells. The researchers synthesized heterogenous TiO2 nanocrystals from the ilmenite mineral and examined how temperature changes affected their characteristics. The study found that the nanocrystals could potentially be used in dye-sensitized solar cell applications. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Wuhan Textile University has explored the use of nanocomposites for the efficient removal of aromatic pollutants in wastewater treatment. The study focused on the use of anisotropic ilmenite/carbon nanocomposites as a catalyst for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO). The researchers found that the nanocomposites demonstrated high activity and a short induction time, effectively removing various aromatic pollutants. The study concluded that the nanocomposites functioned as a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst, generating reactive oxygen species for organic degradation. Further information on this research can be found in the journal article published in npj Clean Water. [Extracted from the article]

The article features the history of Wood's chrome mine in Little Britain Township in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It mentions that lancasterite was taken from the Wood's mine in 1853 and concludes that it is a mixture of brucite and hydromagnesite. Some additional species found from the Wood's mine includes quartz, ilmenite, and brucite. A map of the Wood's mine area is presented with information on the Cactus, Dog, and Cow mines. Also, a chart depicting the minerals from the Wood's mine is offered.

The article surveys major locations in Switzerland and sites elsewhere in the world where crystals called "iron roses" occur. Black hematite and ilmenite occur in some Alpine-type clefts as flower-like subparallel aggregates of offset crystals. They are classifiable into a few types on the basis of morphology. The article concludes with a Strahler's account of a spectacular iron rose discovery near Fibbia in 1979.

The article reports on the commercial production of ductile titanium by E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. The company started a project to purify the iron ore which during the process, technologists found out to be an oxide and makes a fine pigment. According to engineers, titanium has shown advantages including good strength-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance since it can withstand salt water and chemicals. With regard to titanium supply, known deposits of rutile and ilmenite can be found in Canada and the U.S.

The article focuses on the increase in demand for titanium dioxide in the U.S. in 1946 as imports of Indian ilmenite failed to resume after the World War II. One factor behind the rise of demand is the new uses of the pigment. Local titanium dioxide producers have to rely on domestic and imported titanium-bearing ores even if most of their refining plants were designed to handle Indian ore. It is said that Indian ore is superior than other ores because it has higher titanium content and is free from soluble salts and minerals due to salt water.

Greenland-centerd commodity developer Bluejay Mining on November 10 announced a deal giving global mining group Rio Tinto the option to buy into its Enonkoski junior nickel project in Finland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explains that geologists have studied data collected from the moon by the Hubble Space Telescope which shows deposits of ilmenite. This mineral is a source of titanium dioxide, which can be processed into breathable oxygen for inhabitants of a station on the moon. The geological team is collecting more data to determine how much ilmenite is available and where the most concentrated amounts are.

A photograph of the McIntyre mines near Newcomb, New York which were reopened for ilmenite mining is presented.

The article discusses the plan of Greenland to boast its mineral wealth, with its Prime Minister Kim Lielsen states that the country will work to develop its wealth. The country will benefit from increasing activities including plans to expand its airports allowing direct flights from Europe and North America. Investor Bluejay with its chief executive officer Roderick McIllree states that the company has already done a lot of hard work on the country's ilmenite deposits.

Metal Bulletin sister title Industrial Minerals proposes to discontinue the following ilmenite grade from its weekly assessment of the titanium dioxide feedstocks market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria must increase its exploration and marketing of ores and alloys and industrial minerals to grow its mining sector, the country’s minister for mines and steel development said on Tuesday November 28. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

VSMPO-Avisma Corp, the largest Russian titanium producer, is reducing its dependence on supplies of ilmenite concentrates from Ukraine, market sources told Metal Bulletin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the increase in the earnings posted by titanium miner Kenmare Resources during the first half of 2011. One factor contributing to the company's increased earnings are higher prices for both ilmenite and zircon. During the first half of 2010, the company posted a loss of 4.4 million U.S. dollars. Kenmare Resources is planning to boost production levels and fix prices on ilmenite contracts to take advantage of increasing prices of ilmenite and zircon.

The article reports on the 16.3 million dollars in losses posted by Kenmare Resources in 2010. The loss is attributed to lower than expected production in the final quarter of the said year. Revenue of the company rose to 91.6 million dollars, based on preliminary results released in April 2011. The company sold a total of 712,900 tonnes of produce in 2010 while its ilmenite and zircon production both increased.

The article focuses on global mining company Rio Tinto and it's operations in the town of Tolagnaro in southern Madagascar. Details of Rio Tinto's investment in what is thought to be the richest deposit of ilmenite in the world are presented, including the infrastructure needs of the region. Other companies that are seen to be taking an interest in Madagascar are discussed, including Canada's Dynatec and South Africa's Exxaro.

This article presents two photographs of the moon crater Aristarchus. With these composite visible-light and ultraviolet images of a 42-kilometer-wide crater called Aristarchus on the moon's near side, the Hubble Space Telescope is mapping the mineral ilmenite. Also known as iron titanium oxide, it could prove invaluable for generating oxygen for human exploration. The mineral's lunar abundance hasn't been well established. The black-and-white image at left shows the shape of the crater. In the image at right, the scientists assigned colors to wavelengths of light or their ratios.

Proposes that the moon may become a hot property for an efficient fuel from an isotope of helium called helium-3. Analyses of images from the Clementine spacecraft's 1994 visit to the moon; Reason for the scarcity of helium-3 on earth; Composition of ilmenite mineral.