Madagascar titanium dioxide project

Key facts

Reserves - 75 million tonnes of ilmenite
Mine life - At least 40 years
Capital costs - US$585 million expenditure in Madagascar including US$145 for port (US$35 million contribution from Government of Madagascar); US$190 million at QIT processing facilities in Canada.
Construction start - Fourth quarter 2005
Output - Staged development with first output in Q4 2008 to reach initial (phase 1) output of 750,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of ilmenite by 2012. Phase 1 calls for ilmenite to be smelted at QIT's facilities in Sorel to produce 475,000 tpa of a new high-grade (91 per cent TiO2 content) chloride slag by 2012. Phase 2/3 could ultimately support ilmenite production of some two million tpa.
Employment - Up to 1,700 jobs during construction, peaking in 2007; 600 on-going jobs during phase 1; and between one and two thousand indirect jobs.
Engagement - Extensive engagement and consultation with the Government of Madagascar and local people and leaders has taken place over many years; World Bank involved; and NGOs including Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Missouri Botanical Gardens.