Ilmenite beneficiation in Africa involves various processes to upgrade the ore for use in titanium dioxide (TiO₂) production, titanium metal, or other industrial applications. Africa has significant ilmenite deposits, particularly in countries like South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, and Madagascar. Below is an overview of ilmenite beneficiation techniques and key African producers:
1. Ilmenite Beneficiation Processes
Ilmenite (FeTiO₃) often contains impurities like iron oxides, silica, and other gangue minerals. Common beneficiation methods include:
# a. Gravity Separation
– Used for coarse-grained ilmenite.
– Techniques: Spiral concentrators, shaking tables, jigs.
– Example: South African heavy mineral sands often use gravity methods.
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# b. Magnetic Separation
– Ilmenite is weakly magnetic; low-intensity magnetic separators remove non-magnetic gangue.
– High-intensity magnetic separation (HIMS) further purifies ilmenite from other heavy minerals.
# c. Electrostatic Separation
– Used to separate conductive minerals (ilmenite) from non-conductive ones (zircon, rutile).
– Common in South African and Mozambican operations.
# d. Flotation
– Froth flotation with selective collectors improves TiO₂ grade.
– Acidic or alkaline conditions may be used depending on ore type.
# e. Roasting & Leaching
– Reductive roasting converts ferric iron to ferrous, enhancing magnetic separation.
– Leaching with sulfuric acid removes impurities.
2. Key Ilmenite Producers in Africa
| Country | Major Deposits/Projects | Key Companies |
|————–|—————————|——————|
| South Africa | Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), Namakwa Sands | Tronox, Rio Tinto |
| Mozambique | Moma Mine, Chibuto deposits | Kenmare Resources |
| Kenya | Kwale Mineral Sands | Base Titanium |
*Madagascar | Toliara Sands Project | World Titanium Resources |
3. Challenges in African Ilmenite Beneficiation
– High impurity content: Some African ilmenites have high chromium or magnesium levels.
– Infrastructure limitations: Remote locations hinder processing and transport.
– Environmental regulations: Strict controls on mining waste and water usage.
4. Future Prospects
– Growing demand for TiO₂ in paints,
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