Pure vanadium (V) is a bright white metal, and is soft and ductile. It is has a good corrosion resistance to a variety of alkalis and acids, but oxidises readily above 660 C. About 85% of vanadium is used as ferrovanadium or as a steel additive. Other uses are in producing rust resistant and high-speed tool steels. It is also used in the aerospace industry in titanium alloys, as well as a catalyst in the production of sulphuric acid.
Vanadium can be found in at least 152 different minerals, of which the following are commonly exploited: carnotite, roscoelite, vanadinite, and patronite. Vanadium is generally produced as final product as vanadium pentoxide (V2O5). Vanadium is also found in phosphate rock and certain iron ores, and is present in some crude oils in the form of organic complexes. China, the USA and South Africa are major producers of vanadium. Other metals such as columbium, manganese, molybdenum, titanium, and tungsten can be used as a substitute for vanadium as alloying elements in steel. Platinum and nickel can replace vanadium compounds as catalysts in some chemical processes.
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Vanadium occurrences are widespread throughout Canada, however, the most common type of occurrence is vanadium contained in titaniferous magnetite. Vanadium was last produced in Canada in 1990/91 by Carbovan Inc., who recovered the material at the Fort McMurray oil refinery of Suncor Inc. in Saskatchewan during the processing of bituminous sands.
The Lac Dore’ vanadium prospect located in Quebec, Canada has the potential to host one of the world's largest vanadium deposits. In terms of size, it is only bettered by the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. Upon completion of the project, McKenzie Bay International Incorporated will become the world's second largest vanadium pentoxide producer as well as the only producer in North America. Total resources have been estimated at containing 100 Mt grading 0.486 % V2O5
