ZIRCON

Australian Zircon has entered into an exclusive Marketing Agreement with global minerals and metals trader DCM DECOmetal GmbH (www.dcm-vienna.com), where by DCM will purchase 100% of production of all products from Mindarie, All enquiries for the sale of product should therefore be directed to DCM.

There are a number of market segment applications for zircon, namely:

• Approximately 52% of the world's premium grade zircon is used as an opacifier in ceramic glazes commonly used in kitchen and bathroom ceramics, and dinnerware;
• 9% of the world's premium grade zircon is used in the manufacture of zirconia and zirconium chemicals;
• Refractories and foundries account for 15% of world market share. 

Zircon has a broad range of applications:

Domestic Products

• Ceramics
• Food
• Cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Medicine
• Glass faceplates for television tubes
• Computer disc drives
• Lightweight warm and protective clothing
• Ball point pens
• Wear resistant knives

Industrial Manufacturing Processes (heat and corrosion resistant qualities):

• Engines
• Electronics
• Electron absorber in nuclear reactors
• Chemical processing plants
• Armour planting on military aircraft
• Heat shields on space shuttles
• Steel industry blast furnace linings

Titanium Products (TiO2)

Approximately 93% of world titanium minerals are used in the production of TiO2 pigment. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a white powder with high opacity and brilliant whiteness. It has exceptional covering capacity and is resistant to colour change, making it a highly desirable pigment and opacifier.

Applications of TiO2 pigment include:

• 57% as an opacifier in paints
• 20% in plastics
• 13% in paper
• 10% in inks and fibres

The remaining 7% of world titanium mineral production is used in non-pigment markets:

• Titanium metal
  • aerospace applications (aircraft, jet engines, satellites)
  • surgical equipment (metal joints, screws and pins, pacemakers)
  • Sporting goods (golf clubs)
• Fluxes for welding rods to stabilise electric arcs and reduce slag viscosity formed during welding
• Blast furnaces and abrasive cleaning in the steel industry

Australian Zircon's rutile and leucoxene specifications are especially suited to the welding flux market segment where the market is estimated at 130,000 tonnes per annum. China is a major consumer with their booming construction industry increasing the demand for these products together with ilmenite.