Ilmenite is FeTiO₃ and one of the principal economic titanium minerals. It occurs in both hard-rock deposits and heavy-mineral sands, which require different preparation strategies.
- Formula / structure
- FeTiO₃
- Ore role
- Principal economic titanium mineral
- Preparation focus
- Prepare heavy-mineral grains according to source type
What is Ilmenite and how does it occur in ore?
In heavy-mineral sands, ilmenite can occur with rutile, zircon, monazite and magnetite. In hard-rock ore, ilmenite may be locked within silicate gangue.
Why are ilmenite and rutile evaluated as different products?
Both minerals carry titanium, but their chemistry and TiO₂ content differ. Magnetic behaviour and downstream product specifications also differ, so they are tracked as separate phases in heavy-mineral mixtures.
Which behaviour matters during ore preparation?
Grinding is often limited in placer or mineral-sand feed, where washing, sizing and physical separation dominate. Hard-rock ilmenite may require crushing and grinding for liberation.
Magnetite and altered ilmenite products can affect magnetic-separation behaviour. Size-by-size and mineral-specific characterization is therefore required.
Which inputs should be verified?
- Hard-rock or mineral-sand source
- Ilmenite-rutile-zircon association
- Magnetic-property distribution
- Particle size and liberation
- Ti/Fe and impurity elements