Russian diamond miner Alrosa is studying the possibility of extracting titanium from kimberlite pipes traditionally mined for diamonds, as the company looks to unlock additional value from its mineral resources.

According to the company, Alrosa geologists are evaluating titanium-bearing minerals found within diamond ore deposits in Yakutia. The research is focused on assessing the economic feasibility of recovering titanium alongside diamond mining operations.

The initiative centres on kimberlite pipes, the primary geological formations that host diamond deposits. Alrosa operates several such deposits across Western Yakutia, where it is one of the world’s largest diamond producers by volume.

Preliminary geological studies indicate that kimberlite ores contain ilmenite, a titanium-bearing mineral already familiar to diamond miners as an indicator mineral in diamond exploration. Alrosa is now examining whether these deposits could support commercial titanium extraction.

Alrosa’s assessment remains at the research stage, with geologists analysing mineral composition, concentration levels and processing possibilities to determine whether titanium recovery from diamond-bearing kimberlites could be commercially viable.