A Study on Quality and Characterisation of Placer Ilmenites from Parts of East Coast of India, with Reference to its Industrial Applicability

Ilmenites from the East Coast of India, from deposits viz Kakinada, Bhimunipatnam, Srikurmam, and Chatrapur have been investigated for their Ore mineralogy and Geochemistry, with particular emphasis on their Industrial suitability. It is observed that ilmenites especially from these deposits except Kakinada deposit, exhibit extensive exsolutions like ilmeno-hematite, hemo-ilmenite, their intergrowths and combination of intergrowths. The impact of these exsolutions on industrial processing of these ilmenites have been discussed. Especially, the impact of high iron content in the form of hematite exsolutions on the industrial processing is brought out. While considering the detailed geochemistry, it is observed that TiO2 content has been observed to occur in these deposits differently, Kakinada (51.04%-53.81%), Bhimunipatnam (46.12%-54.30%), Srikurmam (50.04%-52.05%), Chatrapur (50%-58.9%), whereas trace elements concentrations have been analysed especially elements like Co, V, Al, Cr, Mn etc., which are considered as of toxic nature in the preparation of synthetic rutile which is the important product for titanium metal production. The data on the occurrence of these trace elements can be used to take necessary precautions to design successful metallurgical process. Based on Ore mineralogical and Geochemical aspects it is felt that majority of the ilmenites from these deposits are more suitable for pigment manufacturing using chloride route which is more environmentally friendly.