It's a fair question and I won't write an essay.Ilmenite is used...

It's a fair question and I won't write an essay.

Ilmenite is used in paints and requires a very high TiO2 level (normally above 90%). To get this level you need to remove the Fe. This can be done via the synthetic rutile route which involves kilns and costs heaps (tens of millions).

IDM's ilmenite is being sold as "high iron" the process would be much more involved and the orebody just wouldn't be big enough.

As for the question regarding volumes, it's about re-balancing the TiO2 againt the Fe and there are many other factors.

Now we have seen the prices of Ilmenite and rutile go ballistic, so "if" the iron could be removed, you would probably just ship it to China and let them do it. The interesting point also, is that the iron would be 100% and could be used in other ways.

In the original feasibility study the high iron wasn't earmarked for sale, probably because of the iron level and it would also contain chromite and zircon, due to the processing method.

Pep