Concentration of Ilmenite sand from Udi and Reel Villages, Ratnagiri Coast, Bombay

A Sample of Ilmenite sand containing 94.9 percent Ilmenite, 1.2 percent magnetic, and 0.8 percent other minerals in minute quantities, from Udi & Reel villages, Ratnagiri coast, Bombay was received for beneficiation tests. The sample assayed 49.98 percent TiO2, recovering other than Ilmenite. Straight tabling, as well as magnetic separation, produced Ilmenite concentrates of about 99 percent purity (52.6% TiO2) with recoveries of over 95 percent. Tabling, which is a cheaper method, yielded slightly better results than magnetic separation. Humphrey’s spiral was not found useful in producing a high grade Ilmenite concentrate from the sand. The concentrates were free from chromium and hence would be suitable for the manufacture of white titanium pigments.