Atlantic Strategic Minerals, based in Petersburg, Virginia, has announced a significant $50 million investment to rejuvenate and reopen a mineral sands mine in Dinwiddie County and a processing plant in Sussex County. This ambitious project is poised to produce titanium ore, zircon, and rare-earth elements, marking a significant boost for Southside Virginia’s economy.
The initiative is expected to create 71 new jobs at the Sussex County mineral separation plant, offering skilled and well-compensated positions with an average annual wage of $89,000. Dinwiddie County Administrator Kevin Massengill expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to transform the economic landscape of the region.
Atlantic Strategic Minerals’ Millrun mineral sands deposit, located in southern Dinwiddie, boasts high-quality ilmenite, a mineral primarily mined for paint production that can also be processed into titanium metal—a material designated as critical by the U.S. government. The deposit also contains zircon-rich sands, a vital material in ceramics that can be refined into zirconium metal for nuclear power generation.
The mine, previously operated by Australia’s Iluka Resources until its closure in 2016, will undergo restoration to resume operations, adhering to environmentally responsible mining practices. The project plans to avoid blasting, implementing erosion and water control measures, and restoring the land for agricultural use post-mining.
Christopher Wyatt, CEO of Atlantic Strategic Metals, emphasized the strategic importance of these critical minerals and Virginia’s skilled workforce in the mining sector. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership will support the project through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides services and funding for job creation and employee training. 
