Iluka Resources, the world's biggest zircon supplier, said yesterday its mineral sands deposits in South Australia's Eucla Basin were valued at $4 billion after prices of zircon rose by one-third last year. Prices of zircon, used to make tiles and other ceramics, rose to about $US600 a tonne this year, from $US450 early in 2004, managing director Mike Folwell said. Iluka restated its forecast that full-year profit would rise "at least 10 per cent" this year, from $89.3 million. Bloomberg
