Abstract: A process for facilitating the removal of impurities e.g. radionuclides, such as uranium and thorium, and/or one or more of their radionuclide daughters, from titaniferous material includes contacting the titaniferous material with one or more reagents at an elevated temperature selected to enhance the accessibility of at least one of the radionuclide daughters in the titaniferous material. The reagent(s) may be a glass forming reagent and is selected to form a phase at the elevated temperature which disperses onto the surfaces of the titaniferous material and incorporates the radionuclides and one or more radionuclide daughter. The titaniferous material may be, e.g., ilmenite, reduced ilmenite, altered ilmenite or synthetic rutile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of introducing one or more reagents into a rotary and/or elongate kiln in which titaniferous material is being treated eg upgraded wherein the reagent(s) is introduced (I) at a plurality of locations along the length of the kiln and/or (II) at or adjacent to a discharge end of the kiln. The reagents may comprise one or more of chlorine-containing compounds, sulphur, sulphur-containing compounds, magnesium compounds, manganese compounds, fluxes and glass-forming reagents, including a borate salt or mineral. The reagent may be mixed with the discharge end coal or introduced separately.

Abstract: A process for facilitating removal of one or more impurities from titaniferous material containing the impurities in a form which is highly soluble in acid. The material is in turn leached with a sulphuric acid solution and with a hydrochloric acid solution in either order. To enhance the susceptibility of the impurities to removal, the hydrochloric acid leach is augmented by one or more of the following: (i) addition of an effective amount of an added chloride salt; (ii) pre-treatment of the titaniferous material with a solution of an effective amount of a carbonate salt, preferably an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate; and/or (iii) pre-treatment of the titaniferous material with a solution of an effective amount of a hydroxide, preferably an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide.