As demand for mineral‑intensive technologies continues to rise, heavy mineral sands (HMS) represent an important opportunity to strengthen U.S. domestic supply of the materials that support modern infrastructure, clean energy systems, aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing.

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​What Are Heavy Mineral Sands?

Heavy mineral sands (HMS) are naturally occurring sand deposits enriched in dense, valuable minerals such as ilmenite and rutile (sources of titanium), zircon, and monazite, which contains REEs. These minerals are significantly heavier than common quartz sand grains. Over long periods of geological time, natural forces—wind, waves, currents, and changing sea levels—cause these heavier minerals to separate from lighter sands and accumulate in concentrated sediment layers.

 

HMS deposits typically form in coastal, nearshore, and shallow marine environments, where wind, wave and current action repeatedly sorts sediments. Many of today’s offshore deposits were once ancient beaches or barrier systems that became submerged as sea levels rose.

 

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Why These Resources Matter

Heavy mineral sands contain the ingredients essential to U.S. competitiveness in aerospace, clean energy, communications, electronics, and national defense. Titanium, zirconium, and rare earth elements (REEs)—all found within HMS—are listed by the U.S. government as critical minerals. Securing domestic access to these materials is vital for long‑term economic stability, technological leadership, and supply chain resilience.

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Today, the United States remains heavily dependent on foreign sources for many of these minerals, often from regions with concentrated market control or geopolitical instability. As global demand grows and trade tensions increase, diversifying supply from responsible domestic sources becomes a strategic imperative.