Mining & Processing

How Titanium Is Mined and Processed

Titanium (Ti) is a refractory metal with global annual production of approximately 260,000 tonnes (sponge), primarily from China and Japan. Typical ore grades range from 2-10% heavy minerals in mineral sands.

Mining Methods

Titanium is extracted through the following methods, selected based on deposit type and geology:

• Open-pit mining (mineral sands)
• Dredge mining (beach and inland sands)
• Hard rock mining (ilmenite)

Ore Types and Mineralogy

The principal ore types and mineral sources for Titanium include:

• Ilmenite - FeTiO3
• Rutile - TiO2
• Leucoxene

Processing and Beneficiation

Following extraction, Titanium ore undergoes the following processing stages:

1. Chloride process (TiCl4 production)
2. Kroll process (sponge production)
3. Sulfate process (TiO2 pigment)
4. Electron beam or vacuum arc remelting (mill products)

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Mining and processing of Titanium must comply with environmental regulations governing water use, tailings management, emissions, and land rehabilitation. Increasingly stringent environmental standards are raising production costs but also driving innovation in cleaner extraction technologies. The social license to operate and community engagement have become critical factors in project development, particularly in China where 45% of global production is concentrated.