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Australia has large ore reserves of mineral sands, including ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral. Ilmenite is found in several states across Australia, including Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. Australia is the world's leading supplier of mineral sands, and ilmenite is a significant component of these exports. Ilmenite is used in the production of titanium dioxide pigment, which is commonly used in paint, plastics, and paper due to its non-toxicity and brightness. Australia's ilmenite deposits are distributed across the country, with notable deposits in the Eucla Basin, the Murray Basin, and the Northern Territory, where an ilmenite mine has recently been in the news due to its licence expansion rejection by the NT water controller.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, Victoria, Tasmania |
| Deposits | Cape York in Queensland, central New South Wales, Ouyen in Victoria, Eucla Basin, Derby, coastline of Western Australia, Murray Basin |
| Producers | Iluka Resources, Tronox Management, GMA Garnet |
| Exports | 35 countries across every continent |
| Ore Reserves | 6.7 Mt |
| Inferred Resources | 235.1 Mt |
| Production | 1.4 Mt |
| Titanium mineral composition | 85% |
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What You'll Learn
Ilmenite in the Northern Territory
Ilmenite is a titanium-iron oxide mineral with the formula FeTiO3. It is a common accessory mineral found in metamorphic and igneous rocks. It is a heavy, opaque black mineral with a submetallic lustre. Ilmenite is the most important ore of titanium and is the main source of titanium dioxide, which has a wide range of industrial applications.
In Australia, ilmenite is found in various states, including Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. The country has large ore reserves of mineral sands, including ilmenite, with Western Australia being a significant producer and exporter of mineral sands.
In the Northern Territory, ilmenite is found in the Roper region of the McArthur Basin, specifically at the Sill 80 ilmenite mine, located 105 km east of Mataranka. The resource comprises high-quality ilmenite in surficial cover overlying sills of Derim Derim Dolerite that intrude the Roper Group. The Northern Territory also has ilmenite-rich sands in the Harts Range region and along its northwestern coastline, with significant deposits located on Melville and Bathurst Islands.
The Sill 80 ilmenite project, operated by Australian Ilmenite Resources Pty Ltd, commenced production in 2013. The project has increased its output over time, producing more than 47,500 tonnes of ilmenite in 2022-23. It has the potential to produce up to 300,000 tonnes of ilmenite concentrate per annum in the long term.
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Ilmenite in Western Australia
Australia has the world's second-largest ilmenite reserves, with 150 million tonnes or 19% of the world's total estimated reserves. Mineral sand deposits containing ilmenite are found in every Australian state and the Northern Territory, predominantly associated with modern and ancient beaches and dunes.
In Western Australia, ilmenite deposits are distributed from the southern tip of the state to Derby and are located at the present coastline or as relic deposits up to 35 km inland. Western Australia's mineral sands sector is dominated by two producers, Iluka Resources and Tronox Management, who produce the majority of the state's ilmenite. In 2016-17, the state's ilmenite production was valued at around $554 million.
Western Australia exports mineral sands to 35 countries across every continent. China and the United Kingdom were the major export markets in 2016-17, accounting for 25% and 12% of total exports, respectively. Other major export destinations included Saudi Arabia (11%), the United States (11%), and the Netherlands (7%).
The titanium mineral ilmenite is primarily used as feedstock for the production of titanium dioxide pigment, with a small amount also used in titanium metal and fluxes for welding rods and wires. Titanium dioxide is the most widely used white pigment due to its non-toxicity, brightness, and high refractive index. It is used in consumer products such as paint, plastics, and paper.
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Ilmenite in Queensland
Ilmenite is a black metallic iron titanate element that is primarily used as a feedstock for the production of titanium dioxide pigment. It is also used in titanium metal and fluxes for welding rods and wires. Australia has large ore reserves of ilmenite, estimated at 6.7 Mt in 2023. The country is the world's leading supplier of mineral sands, which include ilmenite.
In Queensland, ilmenite can be found in the Goondicum Ilmenite Mine in Central Queensland. The Goondicum mine is an integral part of the Goondicum Industrial Minerals project, which is part of Mining Lease Application MLA 80141 and Mining Lease ML 80044. The ilmenite deposit at Goondicum is a flat-lying residual oxide deposit of weathered gabbro intrusion, consisting of a blend of weathered material and alluvium as the host rock. The ilmenite mineralisation takes the form of liberated fine grains, mostly concentrated by surface water into more slimes-rich material. The Goondicum ilmenite project is being developed by Melior Resources, which purchased the project in 2014 from Belridge Enterprises. The project is forecasted to produce an average of 200,000 tonnes per annum of ilmenite over a mine life of 12 years. The final product will be trucked 260 km to the Gladstone port facility and shipped to customers.
In addition to the Goondicum mine, there are ilmenite deposits in Cape York, Queensland. These deposits are part of the mineral sand deposits found along the coast of eastern Australia, from Cape York in Queensland to central New South Wales. Mineral sand deposits may also contain rare earth elements, although these are usually not present in commercially viable quantities.
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Ilmenite in South Australia
Ilmenite is a mineral predominantly found on beaches and dunes in Australia. Mineral sand deposits containing ilmenite exist in every Australian state and the Northern Territory.
In South Australia, ilmenite deposits are found in the Eucla Basin around the Great Australian Bight. The Jacinth-Ambrosia and Cyclone deposits in the Eucla Basin are located in both South Australia and Western Australia. The Mindarie project in South Australia has also contributed to the progressive increase in ilmenite resources.
Australia has large ore reserves of mineral sands, including ilmenite. In 2016, Australia's ore reserves of ilmenite were 6.7 Mt, and it produced 1.4 Mt of ilmenite that year. Australia also has large inferred resources of ilmenite, estimated at 235.1 Mt.
Ilmenite is a titanium mineral used in the production of paint, titanium metal, and medical implants. Titanium minerals are primarily used as feedstock for the production of titanium dioxide pigment, which is used in consumer products such as paint, plastics, and paper. Australia is the world's leading supplier of mineral sands, including ilmenite.
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Ilmenite in Victoria
Ilmenite is a mineral predominantly found in Western Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. Mineral sand deposits are found in every Australian state and the Northern Territory. Australia is the world's leading supplier of mineral sands, including ilmenite.
In Victoria, ilmenite deposits are found in the Loxton Parilla Sands in western Victoria, which host a variety of mineral sands projects. The Bungalally project, located approximately 10 km south of Horsham in western Victoria, has been found to contain 35% ilmenite. The Douglas-Bondi and Woornack deposits in Victoria also contain ilmenite.
Northwest Victoria's mineral sands deposits are globally significant, and the state is estimated to host 22% of Australia's ilmenite resources. Ilmenite is a titanium-bearing mineral, and titanium has a wide range of industrial applications, including in aircraft engines, spacecraft, cars, sports equipment, and industrial equipment.
In addition to ilmenite, zircon and rutile are also commonly found in mineral sand deposits in Australia. These minerals have various industrial uses, such as in the production of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware. Australia has large ore reserves of ilmenite, estimated at 6.7 Mt, contributing to its position as a leading supplier of mineral sands globally.
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Frequently asked questions
Ilmenite is found in various states in Australia, including Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria.
Ilmenite is a titanium mineral used as a feedstock for the production of titanium dioxide pigment, which is used in products such as paints, paper, and plastics. It is also used in titanium metal and fluxes for welding rods and wires.
In 2016, Australia produced 1.4 million tonnes of ilmenite. Australia is the world's leading supplier of mineral sands, including ilmenite, with an estimated 32% of the world's share of ilmenite resources.
