PYX Resources Limited announce that it has started production and sales of ilmenite from its Mandiri deposit in Central Kalimantan. On 7 December 2020 PYX received the approval for Production Operation Plan and Budget 2021 from the Energy and Resource Service Department of the Government of the Province of Central Kalimantan which included the mining operation, processing, marketing and shipping of zircon, rutile and ilmenite. During the month of November 2021 PYX increased its production capacity at its Mineral Separation Plant (MSP) to 24,000 tpa, allocating the new installed capacity for the production of rutile, leucoxene and ilmenite. Zircon and titanium dioxide minerals - such as rutile and ilmenite - belong to a group of minerals widely known as 'Heavy Mineral Sands. Ilmenite, FeTiO3, is a common mineral in nature. It is a weakly magnetic, black or steel-gray solid. From a commercial perspective, ilmenite is the most important ore of titanium. Ilmenite is used to produce synthetic rutile for feedstocks to produce titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment, which accounts for around 90% of global titanium feedstock consumption. The Australian Government identified rutile and ilmenite as critical minerals among 24 metals, non-metals and minerals, that are considered vital for the economic well-being of the world's major and emerging economies, yet whose supply may be at risk. Titanium dioxide is a dark-coloured mineral which, with further processing, becomes a white, opaque powder. Titanium pigment is by far the largest end use of titanium feedstocks, accounting for around % of demand. Average annual growth of this segment is broadly in line with global GDP growth. Titanium metal has experienced stronger growth with increasing use in body and engine parts for aeronautics, defence applications, biomedical and sporting goods. Welding flux cord wire is used in ship building and steel construction applications. Titanium feedstock production represents an approximately USD 4.5 billion per annum industry.