Vanadium-titanium-silicate (VIT) minerals are the most significant source of titanium and vanadium for industrial purposes. They are found in metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks. Most of the VIT minerals occur in bauxite, an aluminum ore, and can also be found in layered intrusions such as kimberlites and lamprophyres.
Vanadium-titanium-silicate (VIT) minerals are a group of silicate minerals that contain titanium, vanadium and other trace metals. Depending on the composition and associated mineralogy, they can be further divided into several varieties. These include ilmenites, magnetites, rutiles, perovskites and sphenes.
Ilmenite is the most abundant VIT mineral, and is composed of iron and titanium dioxide. Its main commercial applications are in pigment manufacture, as a refractory material and as a source of titanium. Rutile is a less common VIT mineral, but is used in the same applications. These minerals can also be processed to produce titanium metal, which has a wide range of uses.
The two most important sources of titanium in sediments are ilmenite and magnetite. Ilmenite is a black, heavy mineral which weathers from the break down of igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is commonly found as tiny grains or sand grains within the sediment. Magnetite, on the other hand, is a black rock composed largely of iron and oxygen, which weathers slowly and is found as much larger grains scattered through the sediment. The most important source of titanium and vanadium in igneous rocks is perovskite, which is also a VIT mineral.
In addition to these minerals, VIT deposits may also contain other associated minerals such as chromite and apatite. These are important for the production of specialty materials and chemicals, and make up a significant portion of VIT deposits.
VIT minerals are found in several different environments, from the surface to subsurface locations. On the surface, ilmenite sand grains can be found in beach sands and gravels, as well as in river and stream sands. Magnetite grains are more typically found in beach sands. Rutile is found in beach sands, but also in some river and stream sands.
In subsurface locations, VIT minerals may be found in sedimentary basins, intrusive or metamorphic rocks, and hydrothermal deposits. Sedimentary basins are the most common site of occurrence, but may also be found in other types of rock. Intrusive or metamorphic rocks are the source of VIT minerals. These may be found in the form of cave deposits or pegmatites (generally associated with quartz deposits), as well as in layered intrusions such as kimberlites and lamprophyres.
There are many ways to access and mine VIT minerals. Surface-mining of beach sands is the most common method, although sometimes dredging is used to mine deeper layers. In subsurface environments, mining can be carried out either by open-pit or underground methods.
Due to its effectiveness as a source of titanium and vanadium and its ability to occur in a range of different environments, vanadium-titanium-silicate minerals are a valuable, versatile and important mineral commodity. It is the key to producing high-quality titanium and vanadium products and has a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.
