Iluka Resources Limited · ASX:ILU
Iluka Resources — Technical Presentation (November 2013)
16 slides from Iluka Resources's technical presentation, Nov 26, 2013
Slide 1: What Bob Becher's developments meant to the world pigment industry and WA
What Bob Becher’s developments meant to the world pigment industry and WA in particular Nick Bernard The Bob Becher Centenary Symposium 26 November 2013
Slide 2: World Pigment Production
World Pigment Production • 1910’s to 1950’s all TiO2 pigment was produced from the sulphate process 2 – Ilmenite + sulphuric acid = large waste volume – Ferrous sulphate and neutralised waste acid – Much of the waste was marine discharged (e.g. the plant in Tasmania discharged directly into Bass Str
Slide 3: Chloride vs Sulphate Pigment
Chloride vs Sulphate Pigment • By 1960’s 20% of the 3 World Pigment Capacity world TiO2 pigment was kt from the chloride 9,000 100% Chloride process 8,000 90% • From 1970’s to 2000 7,000 Sulfate 80% almost all new pigment % Chloride 70% 6,000 capacity was chloride 60% 5,000 • By 1990’s 50% of the 50
Slide 4: Why develop a process to upgrade ilmenite?
Why develop a process to upgrade ilmenite? • Growth of chloride limited WA’s exposure to the new growth area as it4was predominantly ilmenite (sulphate) based and the chloride process needed rutile – WA was not a rutile supplier at that point in time (not until >1976) – How to make ilmenite amenable
Slide 5: What was the result?
What was the result? • 7 kilns built in WA kt/y 5 600 SR2 1997 - 6 Iluka Tiwest 1992 - 1 Tiwest D Kiln 1991 500 SR1 1987 • A & B kiln demolished in C Kiln 1988 2000’s 400 B Kiln 1974 • Actual capacities much A Kiln 1968 higher through efficiency 300 - 130 kt/y now >190 kt/y • 5 kilns gives a current
Slide 6: First Commercial Becher Plant - 1969
First Commercial Becher Plant - 1969 • ‘A’ kiln at South Capel 6 • 30 m kiln • 10,000 t/y • Pre-oxidation kiln ‹#› • Decommissioned 1993 Zircon sand 6
Slide 7: Second Commercial Becher Plant - 1974
Second Commercial Becher Plant - 1974 • ‘B’ kiln at South Capel 7 • 44 m kiln Aeration Pre-Oxidation • 30,000 t/y Kiln Reduction Kiln • Pre-oxidation kiln – eventually bypassed ‹#› • Decommissioned 1997 Zircon sand 7
Slide 8: First Westralian Sands SR Plant - 1987
First Westralian Sands SR Plant - 1987 8 • ‘SR1’ kiln at North Capel • 68 m kiln ‹#› • 100,000 t/y • NO Pre-oxidation Zircon sand 8
Slide 9: Geraldton Kilns 1988 & 1991
Geraldton Kilns 1988 & 1991 • ‘C & D’ kiln at Geraldton 9 • 63 m kilns C Kiln D Kiln • 100,000 t/y each • SREP ‹#› Aeration Zircon sand 9
Slide 10: Second Westralian Sands Becher Plant - 1997
Second Westralian Sands Becher Plant - 1997 10 • ‘SR2’ kiln at North Capel • 90 m kiln • 130,000 t/y • Waste Heat Recovery - 8MW ‹#› • Mirror image of Tiwest’s Plant Zircon sand 10
Slide 11: Ilmenite to altered ilmenite
Ilmenite to altered ilmenite • Initial development work and plants (A & B kilns) used primary ilmenite which 11 required pre-oxidation to achieve the required products – Convert all Fe to ferric to “stress” the lattice and allow the upgrading process to be effective • Eventually moved to altered ilm
Slide 12: What is the benefit of SR to the pigment industry?
What is the benefit of SR to the pigment industry? • Higher grade than slag 85-95% TiO2 depending on product type 12 • More plentiful than Rutile • May have a faster reaction rate than rutile or slag – lower chlorinator beds, lower pressure drops • Can be lower in problem elements (e.g. SiO2, V2O5)
Slide 13: So where does SR fit in the overall pigment business?
13 So where does SR fit in the overall pigment business? ‹#› Zircon sand 13
Slide 14: SR Contribution to Chloride Feedstocks
SR Contribution to Chloride Feedstocks kt TiO2 Chloride Pigment Feedstock Source 14 3000 100% Slag (UGS) 90% Slag (Sorel) 2500 Slag (Chlor) 80% Synrutile 70% 2000 Rutile Ilmenite 60% % Feed 1500 50% 40% 1000 30% ‹#› 20% 500 10% 0 0% Source: Reg Adams, ARTIKOL Zircon sand 14
Slide 15: What is the benefit to WA?
What is the benefit to WA? 15 • Iluka has produced ~10 Mt of SR and WA combined ~14 Mt – Represents ~18% of the TiO2 units into chloride pigment (1950-2012) • In the same timeframe, Iluka has produced ~5 Mt of Rutile – Clearly represents a significant value to Iluka and by inference to WA ‹#› Zircon
Slide 16: Iluka Resources Limited
Iluka Resources Limited www.iluka.com For more information, contact: Nick Bernard, Technical Development Manager nick.bernard@iluka.com 16
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