A study is performed of the mechanism behind the effect high-voltage nanosecond electromagnetic pulses and dielectric barrier discharges have on surfaces of ilmenite in air at atmospheric pressure. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, microhardness testing, contact angles of surface wetting, and streaming potentials are used to examine the morphology of ilmenite, its physicochemical properties (microhardness, contact angle, and electrokinetic potential), and the structural state of ilmenite surfaces. Advantages are shown of using brief energy treatments ( t treat = 10–30 s) to modify the chemical structure of surfaces of ilmenite and its physicochemical properties in order to improve the efficiency of processing complex titanium ores.