The value of titanium mineral concentrates consumed in the United States in 2011 was about $650 million

Consumption, estimated: 1.58 million metric tons of contained TiO2

Price, dollars per metric ton, year end:

Rutile, bulk, minimum 95% TiO2, f.o.b. Australia :$1,400 

Slag, 80%–95% TiO23 : $550–650



Mine production :

World total (ilmenite, rounded ): 6 million metric tons

Events, Trends, and Issues: Consumption of titanium mineral concentrates is tied to consumption of TiO2 pigments primarily used in paint, paper, and plastics. Owing to increased production of TiO2 pigment, domestic consumption of titanium mineral concentrates was estimated to have increased by 8% in 2011 compared with that in 2010. Increased global consumption of titanium minerals was led by China.

Although world mine production increased in 2011, a shortage of titanium mineral concentrates caused prices for titanium mineral concentrates to rise significantly. Rising costs for titanium minerals has encouraged vertical integration within the mineral and pigment industries.

In Mozambique, plans were underway to expand mine production capacity at the Moma mining operation to 1.2 million tons per year of ilmenite and 14,000 tons per year of rutile, a 50% increase (600,000 tonnes) compared with the existing design capacity. In Saudi Arabia, plans were underway to construct a titanium slag plant with a production capacity of 500,000 tons per year. South African production of slag in 2011 was mitigated by a burn through at a slag operation. In Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a tailings treatment plant was commissioned. Heavy-mineral concentrates, including ilmenite and rutile, were to be recovered from about 30 years of accumulated mine tailings. In Mtunzini, the Fairbreeze deposit was once again under development, with 500,000 tons per year of ilmenite and 25,000 tons per year of rutile production capacity scheduled for startup in 2013. In the Ukraine, the Birzulivske Mine was being commissioned with a production capacity of 185,000 tons per year; mine production capacity may rise to 300,000 tons per year in 2012. In Vietnam, Government policies were being developed to stop ilmenite exports, control illegal mining, and promote the development of upgraded products. Although a ban on exports was approved in 2008, it has been repeatedly delayed to help mining companies that have been hurt by global economic conditions. The export ban was once again delayed until yearend 2011

http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/titanium/mcs-2012-timin.pdf