Present levels of utilization of titanium in short tons. 



World (1966 estimated consumption) 28,000 



United States (1966 consumption) 19,677 



Ranges of demand projections to the year 2000. 



resistance is a deciding factor, other metals such as stainless steel, Hasteloy, and certain nonmetals may 

 be used, but these are often more expensive than titanium when downtime and replacement costs are 

 considered. 



Possible source materials other than rutUe for producing titanium metal include manufactured 

 titanium dioxide, ilmenite, and titanium slag. Use of any of these alternates would increase the cost of 

 titanium metal. 



Potential from marine sources. ^ ^ Of the two commercially important titanium minerals, ilmenite is 

 far more abundant and cheaper than rutile and is mined on land from beach sands and from lode 

 deposits. Rutile has its principal source in beach sands. Ilmenite and rutile commonly occur in beach and 

 alluvial placers with zircon, monazite, magnetite, and other resistant heavy minerals. 



Large and rich concentrations of ilmenite and rutile are most likely to occur in physiographically 

 mature areas such as along the east and west coasts of Australia and off the Atlantic coast of the 

 southeastern United States. High concentrations of titanium sands are found in all of these areas. 

 Ilmenite and rutile are also fairly abundant along the Oregon coast but total volumes of black sand are 

 relatively small and concentrations are low. 



Black sand production and reserves in beach and dune deposits in Florida and other southeastern 

 States have been estimated to contain 30-50 miUion tons of ilmenite, 1-2 million tons of rutile, and 7-10 

 milhon tons of zircon.^ ^ Deposits now being worked average about 4 per cent heavy minerals, of which 

 40 per cent is ilmenite, 7 per cent is rutile, and 11 per cent is zircon.'^ Deposits range up to 20miles 

 long, 1 mile wide, and 35 feet thick. 



The richest deposits along the South Carolina and Florida coasts are farthest inland, presumably 

 closest to source rocks, and the deposits become lower in grade nearer the coast. Thus, offshore deposits 

 may be expected to be low grade. An inferred 5-10 miUion tons of ilmenite in beach and dune placers on 



Summarized largely from Ocean Science and Engineering, Inc. report. 



^^J. W. Stamper, "Titanium " in Mineral Facts and Problems, Bureau of Mines Bull. No. 630, 1965. 



J. C. Detweiler, "Jacksonville Plant Produces Titanium from Beach Deposit." Mining Engineering, Vol. 4, No. 6, 

 June 1952. 



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