<p>Ilmenite, a naturally occurring titanium-iron oxide mineral, is tested for the first time as an anode material for lithium batteries. This mineral is abundant, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable. This study explores the potential of using ilmenite extracted from Egyptian black sand as a sustainable and affordable anode material for lithium batteries, positioning it as an option for next-generation energy storage devices. The black sand, rich in ilmenite, is sourced from Egypt’s coastal regions, where it remains underutilized despite its abundance. After manual grinding, the ilmenite was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), surface area analysis, magnetic property assessments, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrochemical performance of the processed ilmenite as an anode material was evaluated through standard techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge cycling. The results indicate that, when properly processed, ilmenite exhibits an initial capacity of 355.5 mAhg⁻¹, good cycling stability, good rate capability, and high Coulombic efficiency. These characteristics make it a promising alternative to conventional graphite anodes in lithium batteries. This study opens the door for further investigation into the use of naturally abundant minerals to develop environmentally friendly and cost-effective anodes for lithium batteries.</p>