Zircon is used in refractories for foundry sand moulds, and zircon sand or powder is used for glazes on pottery and other ceramic surfaces. Zircon is the major source of zirconium, a corrosion-resistant metal that is used in nuclear reactors and chemical processing equipment. Research and development continues into the use of zirconium ceramics to improve diesel engines, and in the metal extrusion industry where heat resistance and strength are required. Monazite is a major source of certain rare earth elements and thorium. Rare earth elements are used in high-strength permanent magnets, catalysts, ceramics and colour television tubes.
Thorium is used in incandescent gas mantles and in fuel for a few nuclear reactors.
Several papers on mineral sands, in Geology of the Mineral Deposits of Australia and Papua New Guinea , Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Monograph 14, pp.1587-1609. Moore, D. 1997 Key issues in the medium term outlook for titanium and zircon minerals , National Agricultural and Resources Outlook Conference, Canberra, 4-6 February 1997. Morley, I.W. 1981 Black sands - a history of the mineral sand industry in Eastern Australia, University of Queensland, Brisbane. 1998 Geology of Australian and Papua New Guinean Mineral Deposits, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Melbourne, Monograph 22, several papers.