Commodity 1Zircon Sand Ore
For Industrial and Commercial Uses
Zircon sand is a natural mineral form of zircon (zirconium silicate, ZrSiO₄), found in ancient mineral sands along old 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 is chemically inert, hard (Mohs hardness of 7.5), and durable, with a high melting point (2,572°C) and high specific gravity (4.68), making it ideal for high-temperature applications.
| 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 across industries including plating high-quality metals such as titanium and nickel, iron casting cores, refractories, polishing, sandblasting, and glassmaking. The global zircon ore market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2023 to 2033, driven by demand from various industries and limited availability. Total global reserves are estimated at 57.6 billion tons, with Australia (70%), South Africa (8%), and India (5%) holding the largest reserves. The price of zircon ore in 2022 was approximately US$2,000 per metric ton.
Nigerian zircon reserves are estimated at 242 million tons (2020), ranking Nigeria 14th in the world. Northeast Nigeria holds 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, Nigeria's estimated reserves of untapped zircon ore stand at 240 million tons, 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 aim to be our customers' zircon ore supplier and offer the best prices for our buyers.
| 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% |
Packaging & Delivery
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Packaging | Sand |
| Port | Lagos Apapa Port, Nigeria |
| Bags | 50 kg |
| Container | 20 ft |
| Quantity | 25–250 MT per month |
| Lead time | 30 days |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| 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 |
| Chemical formula | ZrSiO₄ |
| Molecular weight | 192.21 g/mol |
| Refractive index | 2.15–2.18 |
Industrial Uses
| Application | Use |
|---|---|
| Ceramics | Produces tiles, bricks, and sanitaryware thanks to its inertness and high melting point |
| Refractory materials | Used in furnaces and kilns for high-temperature stability |
| Jewelry | Rugged, durable, and available in a variety of colors |
| Nuclear fuel | A good absorber of neutrons in nuclear power generation |
| Optical materials | High refractive index suits lenses, prisms, and windows |