Naukovi Novyny, Vol 1, Issue 9, September 26, 2019
Ukraine and titanium
Ukraine and titanium
Igor Nikolaev, geologist, Mariupol, Ukraine
Titanium is a light and strong silvery white metal. The Earth's crust according to different sources has about 0.44-0.57% of titanium by weight [1]. There is no titanium nuggets. In nature, this metal is found in the form of oxide and dioxide in ilmenite, rutile, and titanomagnetite ores and minerals(see Table 1). Subordinate values, i. e. they are less common and have a lower titanium content, have perovskite and titanite. As an admixture, titanium may also be present in other minerals.
Titanium is a light and strong silvery white metal. The Earth's crust according to different sources has about 0.44-0.57% of titanium by weight [1]. There is no titanium nuggets. In nature, this metal is found in the form of oxide and dioxide in ilmenite, rutile, and titanomagnetite ores and minerals(see Table 1). Subordinate values, i. e. they are less common and have a lower titanium content, have perovskite and titanite. As an admixture, titanium may also be present in other minerals.
Note: "Ore is a natural occurrence of rock or sediment that contains sufficient minerals with economically important elements, typically metals, that can be economically extracted from the deposit. [2]
"Mineral is, broadly speaking, a solid chemical compound that occurs naturally in pure form. [3].
By origin, titanium ores are associated with ultra-basic, basic, rarely acidic magmatism. Due to their stability, titanium minerals can form deposits and accumulate in clays.
By origin, titanium ores are associated with ultra-basic, basic, rarely acidic magmatism. Due to their stability, titanium minerals can form deposits and accumulate in clays.
Note. "Magmatism is the emplacement of magma within and at the surface of the outer layers of a terrestrial planet, which solidifies as igneous rocks. It does so through magmatic activity or igneous activity, the production, intrusion and extrusion of magma or lava. ”[4].
"Magma (from Ancient Greek μάγμα (mágma) meaning "thick unguent" or "paste") is the molten or semi-molten natural material from which all igneous rocks are formed. Magma is found beneath the surface of the Earth, and evidence of magmatism has also been discovered on other terrestrial planets and some natural satellites." [5]
Industrial types of titanium deposits are known in South Africa, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, China, Korea, Australia, the Hindustan Peninsula and in South America.
Industrial types of titanium deposits are known in South Africa, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, China, Korea, Australia, the Hindustan Peninsula and in South America.
In Ukraine there are industrial deposits of titanium of almost all types: core (magmatic), alluvial (alluvial, coastal) and residual. This allows adaptation of different enrichment technologies. Official sources say that the amount of reserves allows the country to occupy one of the leading places on the world market in the titanium industry.
In Ukraine there are industrial deposits of titanium of almost all types: core (magmatic), alluvial (alluvial, coastal) and residual. This allows adaptation of different enrichment technologies. Official sources say that the amount of reserves allows the country to occupy one of the leading places on the world market in the titanium industry.
Titanium in Ukraine is considered a strategic raw material because it is used in the defense industry and innovative technologies. The FIU (for internal use) marking, that is, classified, indicates information about ore reserves and the coordinates of objects bound to the administrative areas. For these reasons, this article, as well as theoretically official sources, does not contain information on deposits by fields and administrative units. Titanium mining activities are licensed.
Titanium in Ukraine is considered a strategic raw material because it is used in the defense industry and innovative technologies. The FIU (for internal use) marking, that is, classified, indicates information about ore reserves and the coordinates of objects bound to the administrative areas. For these reasons, this article, as well as theoretically official sources, does not contain information on deposits by fields and administrative units. Titanium mining activities are licensed.
It is known from open sources that there are about 40 industrial titanium deposits in Ukraine [6]. Of these, 14 are being developed [7]. Public and private companies have licenses for the development of titanium deposits [7].
It is known from open sources that there are about 40 industrial titanium deposits in Ukraine [6]. Of these, 14 are being developed [7]. Public and private companies have licenses for the development of titanium deposits [7].
The division into deposits is very conditional. All objects can be connected spatially to the titanium province of the Ukrainian Shield and considered as on unit. There can be a dozen licenses, 3-4 open mines at one site, and each maintains a record of deposits movement from forecasts to mined.
The division into deposits is very conditional. All objects can be connected spatially to the titanium province of the Ukrainian Shield and considered as on unit. There can be a dozen licenses, 3-4 open mines at one site, and each maintains a record of deposits movement from forecasts to mined.
The cost of a license depends strongly on how much financial resources are already invested in the facility and less on the type of raw materials and ore quantity (these are only correction factors). If the field is large, it is likely to be divided into several licensed areas so that the existing enterprise is provided with a raw material base for 10-50 years of operation. The very methodology of calculating the feasibility study of the cost of the license is not disclosed. But the license itself has the same price for businesses of all forms of ownership and taxation.
The cost of a license depends strongly on how much financial resources are already invested in the facility and less on the type of raw materials and ore quantity (these are only correction factors). If the field is large, it is likely to be divided into several licensed areas so that the existing enterprise is provided with a raw material base for 10-50 years of operation. The very methodology of calculating the feasibility study of the cost of the license is not disclosed. But the license itself has the same price for businesses of all forms of ownership and taxation.
Depending on the type of titanium ore, the methods of its enrichment also differ. The first stage is the extraction of titanium-containing mineral from the ore. Ilmenite sands are washed, and strong ore material is pre-crushed to the size of grains (crystals, crystalline particles, non-crystalline droplets) of a mineral containing titanium. In the presence of other heavy components in the ore concentrate, additional separation methods are used: magnetic, electromagnetic, flotation. The end product of the enrichment is the monomineral fraction of the ore mineral. Subsequently, depending on the type of mineral raw materials, the following methods of titanium extraction are used:
Depending on the type of titanium ore, the methods of its enrichment also differ. The first stage is the extraction of titanium-containing mineral from the ore. Ilmenite sands are washed, and strong ore material is pre-crushed to the size of grains (crystals, crystalline particles, non-crystalline droplets) of a mineral containing titanium. In the presence of other heavy components in the ore concentrate, additional separation methods are used: magnetic, electromagnetic, flotation. The end product of the enrichment is the monomineral fraction of the ore mineral. Subsequently, depending on the type of mineral raw materials, the following methods of titanium extraction are used:
• the concentrate of titanium ore is treated with sulfuric acid, resulting in titanium dioxide powder;
• the concentrate of titanium ore is treated with sulfuric acid, resulting in titanium dioxide powder;
• ore is sintered with coke (fuel) by pyrometallurgical method and treated with chlorine; vapors formed at 850°C (TiCl4) are reduced by magnesium; the resulting titanium sponge is melted and purified.
• ore is sintered with coke (fuel) by pyrometallurgical method and treated with chlorine; vapors formed at 850°C (TiCl4) are reduced by magnesium; the resulting titanium sponge is melted and purified.
Arc, electron beam or plasma processing is used to obtain titanium ingots.
Arc, electron beam or plasma processing is used to obtain titanium ingots.
Ukraine has a full cycle of titanium production: from ore mining to titanium ingot production.
Ukraine has a full cycle of titanium production: from ore mining to titanium ingot production.
Titanium is used both in pure metal form and as powdered dioxide. Lightness, durability and corrosion resistance over a wide range of temperatures of pure metal [8] and the pure white color of quadrivalent titanium dioxide determine their use.
Titanium is used both in pure metal form and as powdered dioxide. Lightness, durability and corrosion resistance over a wide range of temperatures of pure metal [8] and the pure white color of quadrivalent titanium dioxide determine their use.
Consumers of metal titanium are aerospace, defense, and other industries where titanium is used, both in relatively pure form and in natural and artificial alloys. Titanium dioxide is used as a dye in the textile, paper, food and other industries. Rutile is used to cover welding electrodes.
Consumers of metal titanium are aerospace, defense, and other industries where titanium is used, both in relatively pure form and in natural and artificial alloys. Titanium dioxide is used as a dye in the textile, paper, food and other industries. Rutile is used to cover welding electrodes.
According to various sources, from 70 to 90% of titanium ore goes to the production of titanium dioxide for the above mentioned uses . Accordingly, 10-30% of the ore goes to the production of titanium sponge and ingots consumed by aerospace, defense and other industries.
According to various sources, from 70 to 90% of titanium ore goes to the production of titanium dioxide for the above mentioned uses . Accordingly, 10-30% of the ore goes to the production of titanium sponge and ingots consumed by aerospace, defense and other industries.
There are other smaller businesses and organizations with similar profiles that use titanium ores and their derivatives.
There are other smaller businesses and organizations with similar profiles that use titanium ores and their derivatives.
The range of fluctuations in the price of metallic titanium on the world market from 1997 to 2018 was approximately USD 4200-21000/t [9]. The dynamics of prices for metal titanium on the world market is shown in Fig. 2.
The range of fluctuations in the price of metallic titanium on the world market from 1997 to 2018 was approximately USD 4200-21000/t [9]. The dynamics of prices for metal titanium on the world market is shown in Fig. 2.
Prices for titanium dioxide are around 2600-3500 USD/t according to various sources [10].
Prices for titanium dioxide are around 2600-3500 USD/t according to various sources [10].
It is also worth noting that there is a Titanium Institute in Ukraine (http://timag.org/) that deals with technology related to the field.
It is also worth noting that there is a Titanium Institute in Ukraine (http://timag.org/) that deals with technology related to the field.
Conclusions:
Conclusions:
I. Titanium production in Ukraine can play a major role in the country's economy because:
I. Titanium production in Ukraine can play a major role in the country's economy because:
• there is a strong raw material base in the country;
• there is a strong raw material base in the country;
• a complete cycle has been created from production and enrichment to the production of metallic titanium, titanium dioxide and the products containing them.
• a complete cycle has been created from production and enrichment to the production of metallic titanium, titanium dioxide and the products containing them.
II. Objectively, the Ukrainian market is reorienting towards Western partners.
II. Objectively, the Ukrainian market is reorienting towards Western partners.
III. There has been a tendency to demonopolize the market in the field of titanium ore mining.
III. There has been a tendency to demonopolize the market in the field of titanium ore mining.
IV . China's dumping policy on titanium production has little effect on the state of ore production in Ukraine, as Asian countries and Russia are oriented towards the Chinese market. At the same time, Ukraine, also having the domestic potential to produce the final product, is taking over the Turkish and European markets.
IV . China's dumping policy on titanium production has little effect on the state of ore production in Ukraine, as Asian countries and Russia are oriented towards the Chinese market. At the same time, Ukraine, also having the domestic potential to produce the final product, is taking over the Turkish and European markets.
V. The rejection of the Russian market will hit the economy of the industry, but will not be critical given the establishment of new partnerships with other countries.
V. The rejection of the Russian market will hit the economy of the industry, but will not be critical given the establishment of new partnerships with other countries.
Used sources
Used sources
1. Clark's elements table. Wikipedia. (https://uk. wikipedia. org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%B8_%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D1%96%D0%B2)
1. Clark's elements table. Wikipedia. (https://uk. wikipedia. org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%B8_%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D1%96%D0%B2)
2. Ore. Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ore)
2. Ore. Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ore)
3. Mineral. Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral).
3. Mineral. Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral).
4. Magmatism. Wikipedia (https://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Magmatism)
4. Magmatism. Wikipedia (https://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Magmatism)
5. Magma. Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magma)
5. Magma. Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magma)
6. Mineral resources of Ukraine, Map of metallic minerals. (http://minerals-ua.info/mapviewermetali. php)
6. Mineral resources of Ukraine, Map of metallic minerals. (http://minerals-ua.info/mapviewermetali. php)
7. Mineral Resources of Ukraine - Kyiv, State Scientific and Production Enterprise "State Information Geological Fund of Ukraine", 2018. 270 p. (http://geoinf.kiev.ua/publikatsiyi/shchorichnyky/mineralni-resursy-ukrayiny/)
7. Mineral Resources of Ukraine - Kyiv, State Scientific and Production Enterprise "State Information Geological Fund of Ukraine", 2018. 270 p. (http://geoinf.kiev.ua/publikatsiyi/shchorichnyky/mineralni-resursy-ukrayiny/)
8. Titanium (a chemical element). Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium .
8. Titanium (a chemical element). Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium .
9. Titanium price. Metalary. (https://www.metalary.com/titanium-price/)
9. Titanium price. Metalary. (https://www.metalary.com/titanium-price/)
10. TiO2 prices hold steady; market reaches equilibrium. Fastmarkets IM. (https://www. indmin.com/Article/3826556/TiO2-prices-hold-steady-market-reaches-equilibrium. html)
10. TiO2 prices hold steady; market reaches equilibrium. Fastmarkets IM. (https://www. indmin.com/Article/3826556/TiO2-prices-hold-steady-market-reaches-equilibrium. html)