Zircon (Zirconium Silicate, ) is a prominent heavy mineral commonly found in Mineral sand mining deposits. It is highly valued for its resistance to heat, chemicals, and abrasion, making it an essential material for the ceramics, foundry, and refractory industries.
Zircon is typically recovered as a byproduct of Mineral sand mining operations, alongside minerals like Monazite, Ilmenite, and rutile. Because of its high specific gravity, it is separated from lighter minerals using gravity separation (e.g., spiral separators) and further refined through electrostatic and magnetic circuits.
Like many minerals in the mineral sands suite, zircon is classified as a NORM. It naturally contains trace amounts of Uranium Decay Series and Thorium Decay Chain elements, typically ranging from 200 to 400 ppm (parts per million).
While the concentration of radionuclides in zircon is generally lower than in Monazite, it still requires monitoring to ensure that: