Composition of ilmenite and provenance of zircon in northern Brazil

Authors

  • Christian Knudsen Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
  • Tonny B. Thomsen Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
  • Feiko Kalsbeek Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
  • Jeppe A. Kristensen Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
  • Helenice Vital Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
  • Roger K. McLimans DuPont Titanium Technologies, Wilmington, DE, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v33.4515

Abstract

The mineral ilmenite (FeTiO3) is an important component of heavy-mineral placer deposits and constitutes the largest volume of valuable mineral in such deposits. The minerals zircon (ZrSiO4) and rutile (TiO2), which occur in lower concentrations than ilmenite in the deposits, have a greater value per ton – c. 1100 and 900 $/ton respectively – compared to ilmenite that ranges from 100 to 200 $/ton depending on its composition. Other minerals such as staurolite, sillimanite, amphibole and garnet are generally also present in placer deposits, but are of minor or no commercial value and, e.g. amphibole needs to be separated from the valuable heavy minerals which adds to the production cost.

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Published

07-07-2015

How to Cite

Knudsen, C., Thomsen, T. B., Kalsbeek, F., Kristensen, J. A., Vital, H., & McLimans, R. K. (2015). Composition of ilmenite and provenance of zircon in northern Brazil. GEUS Bulletin, 33, 81–84. https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v33.4515

Issue

Section

RESEARCH ARTICLE | SHORT

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