6 On the 24th, entrusted by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the China Geological Survey conducted an acceptance inspection of the Ministry’s Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Utilization of Vanadium-Titanium Magnetite in Chengdu. The laboratory has unlocked the potential of ultra-poor vanadium-titanium magnetite through new technologies, methods, and processes, such as “comprehensive utilization of ultra-poor vanadium-titanium magnetite” and “titanium extraction from iron concentrates of vanadium-titanium magnetite,” thereby releasing 10 units of ultra-poor vanadium-titanium magnetite. 100 million tons of high-grade vanadium-titanium magnetite, 1 billion tons of low-grade vanadium-titanium magnetite, 3 billion tons of oolitic hematite, and 3 billion tons of deep-seated iron ore resources.

　　It is understood that the laboratory, taking China’s typical vanadium-titanium magnetite deposits as its foundation, focuses on conducting research into the characteristics of newly discovered mineral resources that are difficult to utilize, as well as developing new technologies, methods, processes, and equipment for their comprehensive utilization. Since 2012, the laboratory has undertaken 13 ministerial- and provincial-level projects. Among these, 36 projects have been launched to develop markets for large-scale mining enterprises, effectively revitalizing vast reserves of ultra-poor and low-grade vanadium-titanium magnetite, as well as over 6 billion tons of oolitic hematite and deep-seated iron ore resources. New resource bases for vanadium-titanium magnetite and iron ore have thus been established in regions including the southern Qinling-Bai Dashan area, the Panxi off-ore deposits and deep-seated mines, eastern Chongqing, and the Datagou area in Liaoning Province.

　　For the first time, the laboratory has utilized advanced MLA testing technology to establish a comprehensive database of process minerals for vanadium-titanium magnetite. It has also developed “three-rate” indicators for the exploration and utilization of Panxi vanadium-titanium magnetite, filling a critical gap in China’s technical standard system for the exploitation and utilization of this mineral resource. The newly developed “graded grinding—magnetic separation for iron recovery, followed by strong magnetic separation—flotation for titanium recovery” process has significantly boosted the recovery rates of both iron and titanium minerals. Furthermore, a new integrated processing approach for mixed iron-titanium-vanadium concentrates has been proposed, substantially enhancing the overall utilization rate of vanadium-titanium magnetite resources. Additionally, an efficient and low-cost desliming–reverse flotation process for removing clay and reducing phosphorus content, along with novel flotation reagents tailored for oolitic hematite ores from different regions, have been developed. These innovations are playing a positive role in revitalizing China’s vast reserves of idle iron ore, estimated at up to 10 billion tons.