Operations...

DMS China

The DMS China operations will consist of a mineral separation plant and associated infrastructure and will be located near Astron’s existing and future processing facilities in Yinkou, Lionong Province China.

Processing

Magnetic and non-magnetic concentrate material from DMS Australia will be processed through a mineral separation plant into intermediate mineral sands products. Astron proposes to use these products as feed material to their various processing facilities. The company will sell excess product onto the world market.

Products

The main products to be produced by DMS China are zircon, HiTi and ilmenite. The main uses for these products are:

Zircon — Zircon, used in decorative ceramics, refractories, chemical processing and heat-resistant cladding, is one of the toughest industrial ceramic materials in existence. Improved technology is creating a new future demand for zircon as a valuable component of futuristic engines, bearings, computer disk drives, speciality chemicals and abrasive equipment. Astron proposes to utilise DMS zircon to produce zirconium chemicals (catalysts for fuel cells, deodorants and paints) and chemical oxides (electronics, advanced ceramics). * Zirconium is used in gloss paint, inks and coatings in magazines and other publications and labels, wall tiles, ceramics, and roll-on deodorant. Woollen fabric such as carpets and upholstery may contain zirconium as a smoke suppressant.

HiTi* — HiTi contains the natural-occurring minerals of rutile and leucoxene and is used as a feedstock to produce titanium dioxide, make titanium metals for the aerospace industry and to manufacture welding rods. DMS HiTi will be marketed and distributed by Astron in China.

Ilmenite — Ilmenite is the major raw material feedstock for the world’s titanium dioxide pigment industry. Upgraded to synthetic rutile or titanium slag, it becomes the feedstock for producing titanium dioxide pigment, which is used in virtually all products that are white including paper, plastics, paint, inks, cosmetics and even toothpaste and sunscreen. DMS ilmenite will be marketed within China by Astron for domestic consumption.

Production Rate

Zircon 86,000tpa
HiTi 73,000tpa
Ilmenite 106,000tpa

* HiTi = High Grade Titanium