Optimized and Sustainable Recovery of Ilmenite and Titanite from Low-Grade Rahba Placer Deposits: Integrating Physical Beneficiation Techniques

Fawzy, Mona Mohamed; Shawky, Mahinaz; Ismail, Ahmed; Bayoumi, Mostafa; Shahin, Hassan; Emad, Bahaa; Orabi, Ahmed; Ali, Gehan; Abdelmouty, Ahmed; Diab, Mohamed

doi:10.22044/jme.2025.16225.3141

Document Type : Review Paper

Authors

¹ Physical Upgrading Department, Production Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

² Contracting Department, Contracts and Agreements Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

³ Mineralogy Department, Research Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

⁴ Remote Sensing Department, Contracts and Agreements Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

⁵ Studies Department, Contracts and Agreements Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

⁶ Radioactive Granitic Rocks Department, Research Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

⁷ Analysis Department, Production Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

⁸ Research Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

⁹ Faculty of Computers and Information, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

10.22044/jme.2025.16225.3141

Abstract

In response to rising global demand for critical minerals and the need for environmentally responsible resource utilization, this study explores sustainable recovery methods from low-grade placer deposits in the Wadi Rahba area along the Southern Coast of the Red Sea of Egypt. The focus is on the beneficiation of ilmenite and titanite as primary valuable minerals. Twenty-eight samples, including a composite technology sample, were analysed using XRD, SEM-EDX, and ED-XRF techniques. Results indicate that total heavy mineral (THM) content ranges from 4.5% to 17.7%, averaging approximately 10%, with 11% in the composite sample. Identified valuable minerals include titanite, ilmenite, leucoxene, zircon, magnetite, and rutile, alongside high concentrations of heavy silicate minerals such as epidote, pyroxene, and amphiboles. Estimated contents are 0.44 wt.% titanite, 0.15 wt.% ilmenite, and trace amounts of zircon (0.04 wt.%), spessartine (0.01wt.%), and magnetite (0.29 wt.%). To enhance recovery, a combination of gravity separation (Wilfley shaking table) and magnetic separation techniques (LIMS and HIMS) were applied. These methods effectively concentrated titanite and ilmenite, achieving recovery rates of 85.08% and 79%, respectively. The findings highlight the potential for economically viable extraction from low-grade sources using environmentally sustainable physical upgrading techniques.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Mineral Processing

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Optimized and Sustainable Recovery of Ilmenite and Titanite from Low-Grade Rahba Placer Deposits: Integrating Physical Beneficiation Techniques

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Volume 16, Issue 6September and October 2025Pages 1897-1912

Volume 16, Issue 6
September and October 2025
Pages 1897-1912