Mineral Sands Mining and Processing Gains Ground Globally

---

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Formed alongside riverbeds, beaches and coastal dunes due to strong wind-water activity, mineral sands are sedimentary deposits that have high concentrations of heavy mineral particles. These sands host a rich array of valuable minerals such as zirconium, ilmenite, titanium and rutile, among others, that find application in almost every sector, ranging from ceramics and plastics to refractory materials and foundries. Serving as a backbone for various industries, mineral sands mining and processing is a crucial process that stands significant globally.

Mineral sands are mined by dredging and dry-mining techniques. The extracted minerals are then separated and processed to be formed into final products. Some of the minerals found in these sands, such as monazite and xenotime, also possess smaller quantities of rare earth elements (REEs). Such elements play an essential role in renewable energy technologies as well as in the development of advanced electronics, medical devices, defense systems, electric transportation, among others.

With energy transition taking the center stage, the demand for these minerals is growing steadily and is expected to remain robust in the future. Thus, many companies around the world are increasingly investing in mining activities around the globe, including mineral sands mining and processing, to meet this growing demand.

Industrial Info tracking 88 active capital-spending projects globally, worth about US$6 billion, that are geared toward mineral sands mining and processing.

The Oceania region is the biggest driver of spending (about 67%) with an investment outlay of US$4 billion across 68 projects. It is followed by Africa with a spending of roughly US$2 billion across 18 projects.

By country, Australia leads the way, with a total spend pipeline of nearly US$4 billion across 67 projects. Home to some of the earth's largest critical minerals deposits, Australia holds about one fifth of the total REE deposits found in the world, according to ABC News. It also has the largest deposit of zirconium and rutile and the second-largest deposit of ilmenite, according to the reporting. With promising geological conditions, vast mining sites and favorable government policies such as increased funding for critical minerals mining and processing, the country is a global leader in mineral sands production.

Following Australia is Mozambique, with an investment of US$639 million, Madagascar with US$518 million and Tanzania with US$380 million. Other states with significant spending include Cameroon, Canada and South Africa.

With a cumulative investment value of about US$3 billion and a collective market share of 47%, Iluka Resources Limited (Perth, Australia), VHM Limited (Subiaco, Australia) and Astron Limited (Shenyang, China) are the top players in the market.

About 65% of the investment is in the initial planning stages, while 22% is under construction. However, 59% are currently facing a kickoff slippage of more than two years.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Metals & Minerals Project Database can click here for a full list of project reports.

While mineral sands mining caters to consumer demand for heavy minerals and is economically beneficial, it raises social and environmental concerns. Environmental degradation, coastal erosion and water pollution along with community displacement and illegal mining have been some major drawbacks associated with mineral sands mining. However, environmental impact assessments, regulatory compliance, technological advancements in mining equipment and techniques, as well as community rehabilitation and land reclamation projects, are anticipated to make mineral sands mining sustainable for the future.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).