Empire Metals Limited is set to begin the next phase of exploration activities at the Pitfield Project in Western Australia. The company plans to conduct 40 Reverse Circulation (RC) drillholes and four Diamond Core drillholes over a ten-week campaign to quantify high-grade titanium-mineralized zones and accelerate the economic assessment and development of the Project. The drilling program aims to test and delineate these zones, as well as to collect core samples for further study test work. Empire has secured an initial funding grant of $110,000 from the Western Australian State Government's Exploration Incentive Scheme for Diamond Core drilling at Pitfield.
The Managing Director, Shaun Bunn, expressed the company's focus on the economic development of the Pitfield Project, emphasizing the significance of the next phase of drilling in delineating high-grade, shallow zones of titanium mineralization. The company aims to establish an economic processing route to produce high-value products. Additionally, Empire Metals is pleased to have received financial assistance for the Diamond Core drillhole program from the Western Australian Government, highlighting the government's support for critical minerals projects.
The Pitfield Project, located in the Mid West region of Western Australia, is strategically positioned with existing connections to infrastructure and services, making it an attractive mining jurisdiction. Empire Metals owns a 70% interest in the tenements covering a combined area of approximately 1,042 km2 and operates as manager in a Joint Venture with Century Minerals Pty Ltd.
The focus of the drilling at Pitfield has shifted to two large, shallow, high-grade zones, identified through surface sampling and recent RC and Diamond Core drilling programs. The company aims to accelerate the economic development of Pitfield by supporting further delineation, sampling, mineralogical studies, and metallurgical testing of these two thick, high-grade mineralized bedded zones, each with an approximate 7km continuous strike extent.
Empire Metals views the best route to create shareholder value at Pitfield is to focus on these higher-grade zones to accelerate the project work towards initial mine development. The company plans to continue exploration of other target areas while prioritizing the development of the identified high-grade zones.