Zirconium

A by-product of titanium mineral sands, used mostly as zircon in ceramic tiles, foundry moulds and refractories, and as metal in reactors.

Tech & minor metals · No. 33

• US critical 2025
• India critical 2023
• HHI 1,591 · moderately concentrated

The opaque white of ceramic glazes often comes from zircon, sifted from beach sands as a by-product of titanium mining.

Chart: Illustration: Zirconium

Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Zircon is a dense, tough mineral that gathers in heavy beach sands alongside ilmenite and rutile. Since about 95% comes as a companion of titanium sands, titanium mining decides supply.

Three things to know

1. Australia holds 55 Mt of the world's more than 70 Mt of zirconium reserves.
2. Zirconium metal is almost transparent to neutrons, which is why nuclear fuel rods are clad in it.
3. South Africa shipped 43.5% of zircon export value in 2024, far more than Australia's 8%.

The journey

1. 1 Mineral sandsHeavy sands with ilmenite and rutile
2. 2 Wet concentrationHeavy minerals separated by gravity
3. 3 Dry separationMagnetic and electrostatic steps isolate zircon
4. 4 Milling or crackingZircon flour, or chemical processing
5. 5 End usesTiles, foundry sand, refractories, reactor metal

Go deeper pick a tab to open it in full