Titanium (Ti) is derived from several minerals such as anatase, brookite, ilmenite, leucoxene, perovskite, rutile, and sphene. Ilmenite (FeTiO3) and rutile (TiO2) and leucoxene are the main economic minerals exploited to date. Ilmenite supplies about 90% of the world’s demand for titanium minerals. These minerals are used to produce titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment, titanium metal and welding rod coatings. Approximately 95% of titanium is consumed in the form of titanium dioxide (TiO2), a white pigment in paints, paper, and plastics. TiO2 pigment is characterized by its purity, refractive index, particle size, and surface properties. The titanium oxide pigment is processed into a non-toxic white pigment for use in the paints, plastics, paper, ink, textile and ceramics industries. Titanium metal is used as a strong, lightweight, corrosion resistant metal for use in aircraft and spacecraft bodies.

Titanium minerals normally occur as trace amounts in many rock types and form economic quantities in beach placer deposits. South Africa, Australia and Canada are the world’s main producers of titanium.

Zirconium (Zr) is generally found associated with titanium bearing minerals in beach placer deposits. Zircon (ZrSiO4) is the main zirconium-bearing mineral. Zircon is used in refractories in foundry sand moulds, zircon sand in glazes used in pottery and ceramic applications. Zircon is also used as a corrosion resistant metal used in nuclear reactors and chemical processing equipment. Australia, South Africa and the USA are major producers of zirconium minerals.

Chromite and olivine can be used as a substitute for some foundry applications, whilst dolomite and spinel refractories can also substitute for zircon in certain high-temperature applications. Niobium, stainless steel, and tantalum provide limited substitution in nuclear applications, while titanium may substitute in some chemical plant applications.