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Ti
22 · 47.867 u

Titanium (Ti)

Titanium is the primary mineral of the Kibaya deposit — SONALEK produces concentrates at 70–93% TiO₂.

Properties

Atomic number
22
Symbol
Ti
Atomic mass
47.867 u
Melting point
1 668°C
Boiling point
3 287°C
Density
4.54 g/cm³
Crustal abundance
0.63% (9ème)
vs. Steel
60% du poids

Main Minerals at Kibaya

Ilmenite (FeTiO₃)
35–60% TiO₂
Black solid, weakly magnetic — primary ore.
Rutile (TiO₂)
up to 99% TiO₂
Rarer but purer — higher market value.
Leucoxene
high grade
Altered ilmenite — naturally high concentration.
Titanium mineral
SONALEK Data — Phase 1
Monthly production
3 000 t
Annual production
36 000 t
Annual revenue (80%)
14,4M$
Purity
70–93% TiO₂
Markets
EAC · EU · Asia

Global Market

60–65%
TiO₂ pigment share
Dominant use — paints, plastics, cosmetics.
5%
Titanium metal
Aerospace, medicine. CAGR 3.4–5.5%.
7.4 Mt
Global production 2014
Estimated global TiO₂ production.
CAGR 5–7%
Pigment growth
Annual TiO₂ demand growth rate.
Major global producers: Australia (21%), South Africa (16%), China (13%)

Production Process

Sulfate Process (3 steps)

  1. 1. Ore dissolution with H₂SO₄
  2. 2. Hydrolysis — TiO₂·H₂O precipitation
  3. 3. Calcination → Pure TiO₂

Chloride Process (2 steps)

  1. 1. Chlorination → TiCl₄ gas
  2. 2. Oxidation → High-purity TiO₂
Industrial Applications