Benefication of Minnesota's Ilmenite Ores

The Duluth Gabbro Complex contains several oxide rich ultra mafic intrusions that contain significant quantities of titanium. The titanium occurs in the form of mineral ilmenite. Ilmenite is the most common feedstock used for the production of high purity TiO2, which is used in high tech applications as well as paint pigments. The CMRL developed a process a route for the producing high grade ilmenite concentrate from deposits at northern Minnesota. Initial bench scale process was also tested at a pilot scale. The flow sheet of this pilot scale testing is shown in the figure. Pilot scale testing confirmed that a high grade ilmenite concentrate can be produced from this source.