Geochemistry and ore mineralogy of ilmenite from beach placers of the Visakhapatnam-Bhimunipatnam deposit, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Ilmenite from the beach and dune environments of the Visakhapatnam-Bhimunipatnam placer sand deposit has less TiO2 and more total iron contents, as compared to its stoichiometric composition. Its trace elemental concentrations indicate its basic parentage. It has exsolution features and four types of intergrowths, viz. ilmenite-hematite, hematite-ilmenite, graphic intergrowth and ilmenite-rutile. Hematite phase in ilmenite incorporate excess iron in the structure of ilmenite. Based on the geochemical and ore mineralogical aspects, ilmenite of present study area is more suitable for pigment-manufacturing than to synthetic rutile preparation.