TITANIUM IN SAND GN WEST COAST

Chronicle (Levin), 13 February 1947, Page 8

TITANIUM IN SAND GN WEST COAST

-Press Association

NEW INDUSTRY POSSTBLE SAYS GEOLOGIST

By Telegrapn-

WANGANUI, Felx -12. It may be possibie to exploit sand on the beaclies between Wanganui and Wellington for the extraetion of titan. ium, if a favourable report is made b^ Gr. J. Ii. Gillson, chief geologist for Dupont de Nemours, one of the greatest chemieal corporations in the world, wlio has been studying the sand neai Wanganui. Titamum dioxide is used as a substitute for, white iead. Coupled with the production of titan ium eould be the extraetion of iron, making this a more eeonomical propos 'ltion tlran has hitlierto proved possibie. O11 1939 «figures for typieal iron sand the value of the titanium eontent pei ton Was more than double that of the iron. The extraetion of iron from iron sand in New Zealand has not hitlierto proved an econoniic proposition, but if Dr. Gillson 's report on the quantities of titdn .ium available is favourable the Lomin ion may be able to produce iron and vanadium — used- in high-grade steei al loys— with titanium for home use and export providing a niargin of protit suf (Leient to make the eonibination a pay able one. Titanium, in the forna of titanium dioxide, is gradually replaeing white Iead in paint manufacture, and New Zealand used 200 tons of it a year. An inilustry using 100,000 tons of sand ail nually eould produce 10,000 tons oi titanium dioxide for overseas markets. Dr. Gillson had gone to Queensland to inspect deposits of iron sand there. and although his report on Wanganui v,ands is believed to have been a fav ourable oue, it is quite possibie tlial . Queensland deposits may prove even more valuable. In any case it will probablv be soine time before anything eventuates from the investigations.