Zircon is the most frequently occurring form of the element, zirconium. Zircon is a common accessory mineral in granitic rocks and pegmatites and because it is highly resistant to mechanical and chemical disintegration, it most commonly occurs as a detrital mineral in river and beach sands.

Zircon is produced from heavy mineral sands mining operations, from which it is extracted as a co-product in the production of ilmenite and rutile. The mineral separation processes employed for the production of zircon include high tension electrostatic separation, magnetic separation and gravity separation techniques.

Zircon is ultimately used in a wide range of consuming industries, in varying physical and chemical forms. In its simplest form, zircon is used as a sand, directly from the mineral processing plant at the mine. Refractory products, abrasives and foundry sands contain zircon in this form.

The majority of zircon is processed further prior to consumption. It is mechanically ground into either a flour or an opacifier. In this form, zircon is consumed in ceramics, investment castings, television glass and refractories. Approximately 52% of the world's premium grade zircon is used as an opacifier in ceramic glazes commonly used in kitchen and bathroom ceramics and dinnerware.

Chemical processing of zircon has been less common but there has been a significant increase in use by this market historically since 2003. Zircon is processed chemically to produce zirconia and a range of zirconium chemicals that are used in advanced ceramics, coloured ceramic pigments, catalysts and a wide variety of other minor applications.

The Asia-Pacific region dominates zircon consumption accounting for 45% of the total in 2005. China is a major consumer with their booming construction industry increasing the demand for these products together with ilmenite.

World production of zircon in 2005 is estimated to be 1.184 million tonnes dominated by Australia and South Africa. Iluka Resources and Richard Bay Minerals are the two largest suppliers, together accounting for around 51% of world production.

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