Apr. 22, 2024 - Iluka Resources said it has maintained a “disciplined” approach to its mineral sands operations in the March quarter, with a total production of 870,000 tonnes (kt).

The company’s overall production for the quarter included 24,000t of zircon sand, 13,000t of zircon-in-concentrate, and 37,000t of synthetic rutile.

Iluka welcomed strong sales across the quarter, totalling 106,000t. This included 48,000t of zircon sands, which the company said is more than double the volume sold in the previous quarter.

“Iluka continues to experience steady interest in its zircon sand offering, with sales contracts for zircon sand in Q2 currently exceeding Q1 sand volumes,” Iluka said.

“Indications of a recovery in the titanium pigment market continue with evidence of volume and price growth in the sector.”

The company also continued to ramp up works at its highly anticipated Eneabba refinery in Western Australia.

A new fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) worker camp is currently being commissioned with central facilities and an initial 302 rooms.

“Iluka is building Australia’s first fully integrated refinery for the production of separated rare earth oxides at Eneabba, Western Australia,” Iluka said.

“This is taking place via a strategic partnership between Iluka and the Australian Government, including a $1.25 billion non-recourse loan to Iluka under the Critical Minerals Facility administered by Export Finance Australia.”

Iluka also continued to progress its Balranald operation in New South Wales across the quarter, with engineering and procurement activities underway.

A significant field development program was also carried out across the March quarter at Iluka’s Wimmera rare earths project Victoria.

These projects are set to bolster Iluka’s standing as a long-term supplier of rare earths and zircon.