Zircon Sand Ore
For Industrial and Commercial Uses
Zircon sand is a natural mineral of zircon (zirconium silicate, ZrSiO4). It is found in ancient mineral sands along ancient coastlines, where waves and winds concentrate the coarser minerals. A lot of zircon sand is mined in Australia and South Africa, with annual global production exceeding one million tons.
Zircon sand has many properties that make it useful for various industrial and commercial applications. It is an inert chemical; that is, it does not react with other substances. It is also solid (Mohs hardness of 7.5) and durable, making it a durable material. Zircon sand has a high melting point (2572 degrees Celsius) and high specific gravity (4.68), making it ideal for high-temperature applications.
There are two main types of zircon sand:
| Type | Characteristics | Applications |
| Industrial zircon sand | High purity, coarse particle size distribution | Ceramics, refractory materials, jewelry |
| Gemstone zircon sand | High clarity, high color, fine particle size distribution | Jewelry |
Zircon sand is used in various industries, including plating high-quality metals such as titanium and nickel, iron casting cores, refractories, polishing, sandblasting, and glassmakers.
The global zircon ore market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% from 2023 to 2033. This growth is driven by several factors, including:
- a) Demand for zircon from various industries, and
- b) Availability of zircon is limited.
The total global reserves of zircon sand ore are estimated at 57.6 billion tons. The world’s largest reserves of zircon sand ore are Australia (70%), South Africa (8%), and India (5%).
Here are some key trends expected to shape the global zircon ore market in the coming years:
- Increased focus on sustainable mining:
- Development of new zircon extraction technology:
- Increased demand for zircon from emerging markets:
The price of zircon ore in 2022 was US$2,000 per metric ton. The price is expected to continue to increase in the coming years due to the high volume of zircon and growing materials from different industries.
Nigerian zircon reserves are estimated at 242 million tons (2020). Nigeria is ranked 14th in the world. Northeast Nigeria has maximum resources in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
Why buy Zircon ore from Commodity 1?
While Australia (70%), South Africa (8%), and India (5%) are significant producers of Zircon ore, Nigeria’s estimated reserves of untapped Zircon ore are 240 million tons. Zircon ore is found in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
Commodity 1 provides Zircon ore directly from the mine site to the global market. There are no middlemen involved, only our staff on the ground. We strive to organize smooth and transparent transactions. We believe in building long-term relationships with our customers. We aim to be our customers’ Zircon ore supplier. We offer the best prices for our buyers.
Composition analysis of the Zircon ore
| Element | Average content |
| Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) | 65-70% |
| Silicon dioxide (SiO2) | 20-25% |
| Hafnium oxide (HfO2) | 0.2-4% |
| Titanium dioxide (TiO2) | 0.1-1% |
| Iron oxide (Fe2O3) | 0.1-0.5% |
| Other elements | 0-1% |
The composition of zircon sand can vary depending on the place of deposit. For example, zircon sand from Australia generally has a higher percentage of zirconium oxide than zircon sand from India. The composition of the zircon sand is crucial because it determines the characteristics of the zircon that can be formed from the metal. For example, zirconium copper with a high percentage of zirconium oxide will produce zircon with a high melting point and high corrosion resistance. The composition of the zircon sand is also essential in determining the extraction method of zircon from the ore—for example, hafnium oxide-rich zircon copper is mined using hydrofluoric acid leaching. In general, the composition of zircon sand is an essential factor that affects the characteristics of zircon that can be produced from the ore and the methods that can be used to extract zircon from the ore.
Zircon ore composition varies slightly based on the source and what region of Nigeria it is collected. We encourage buyers to ask for a free sample for their composition analysis and evaluation of ready-to-ship material. Samples are free, but buyers should arrange to pick up a free piece with a courier service.
Packaging & Delivery
| Packaging Details: | Sand | |
| Port: | Lagos Apapa Port, Nigeria | |
| Bags: | 50 kg | |
| Container: | 20 ft | |
| Lead time: | ||
| Quantity (metric tons) | 25MT/Month | 250MT/Month |
| (Lead days) | 30 Days | 30 Days |
Physical properties of Zircon ore
| Property | Value |
| Specific gravity | 4.6-4.7 |
| Mohs hardness | 7-7.5 |
| Density | 6.51 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 2,510 °C |
| Boiling point | 4,400 °C |
| Crystal structure | Tetragonal |
| Color | Brown, yellow, red, blue, green, colorless |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Transparency | Translucent to transparent |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Irregular |
| Habit | Tabular, prismatic, rounded |
The physical properties of zircon sand are essential because they determine the way it will be mined, processed, and used. For example, the high density of zircon sand makes it difficult to separate it from other minerals. The hardness of zircon sand makes it hard to handle but also makes it durable. The high melting and aromatic points of zircon sand make it an ideal material for high-temperature applications. The tetragonal crystal structure of zircon sand gives it a high refractive index, which makes it a good material for optics. The variety of zircon sand makes it a popular material for jewelry and other decorative items. The movement or even transparency of zircon sand makes it a good material for lapidary work. In general, the physical properties of zircon sand make it a versatile and valuable material with many applications.
Chemical properties of Zircon ore
| Property | Value | ||
| Chemical formula | ZrSiO4 | ||
| Molecular weight | 192.21 g/mol | ||
| Density | 4.6-4.7 g/cm3 | ||
| Melting point | 2,510 °C | ||
| Boiling point | 4,400 °C | ||
| Refractive index | 2.15-2.18 | ||
| Hardness (Mohs) | 7-7.5 | ||
| Electrical conductivity | 100-1,000 S/m | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 1.0-1.3 W/m·K | ||
| Chemical stability | Stable in air and water | ||
| Reactivity | Reacts with hydrofluoric acid to form zirconium fluoride and hydrogen | ||
| Uses | Ceramics, refractory materials, jewelry, nuclear fuel, optical materials | ||
The chemical properties of zircon ore are essential for the mining and processing of zircon. The solubility of zircon ore in water and acids determines how the ore will be processed to remove the zircon. The reaction of zircon ore with acids, bases, and oxygen determines how it should be handled to prevent rust.
The chemical properties of zircon ore are also essential for the environmental impact of zircon mining and processing. Zircon ore leachate can lead to water pollution if not properly treated. The reaction of zircon ore with acids, bases, and oxygen can also cause air and water pollution if the metal is not treated correctly.
Industrial uses of Zircon ore
| Application | Use | ||
| Ceramics | Zircon sand ore produces various ceramic products, including tiles, bricks, and sanitaryware. Zircon sand ore is used in ceramics because it is inert, refractory, and has a high melting point. | ||
| Refractory materials | Zircon sand ore is used to produce refractory materials, which are used in high-temperature applications such as furnaces and kilns. Zircon sand ore is used in refractory materials because it is stable at high temperatures and has a high melting point. | ||
| Jewelry | Zircon sand ore produces jewelry, such as necklaces, rings, and earrings. Zircon sand ore is used in jewelry because it is rugged, durable, and has a variety of colors. | ||
| Nuclear fuel | Zircon sand ore is used to produce nuclear fuel, which is used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants. Zircon sand ore is used in nuclear energy because it is a good absorber of neutrons. | ||
| Optical materials | Zircon sand ore produces optical materials like lenses, prisms, and windows. Zircon sand ore is used in visual materials because it has a high refractive index and is transparent to a wide range of wavelengths. | ||
CONTACT US
For information: info@commodity1.com
For sales: sales@commodity1.com
COMMODITY 1 CORPORATION
867 Boylston Street, 5 TH Floor
Boston, MA 02116 USA
For information: info@commodity1.com
For sales: sales@commodity1.com
CALL US : +1 (617) 224- 7119
COMMODITY 1 CORPORATION