Major Titanium Dioxide Mineral Discovery at Pitfield Project in Western Australia

Empire Metals Limited has announced a significant discovery of titanium dioxide minerals, rutile and anatase, at the Pitfield Project in Western Australia. The discovery is located within the near-surface, strongly weathered "saprolite" zone of bedrock, covering the extent of the 40km long, titanium-rich mineral system. This discovery is expected to have a material and immediate positive impact on the overall project economics.

The discovery of rutile and anatase within the extensive weathering cap is highly valuable, containing over 95% TiO2 and important feedstocks for the titanium pigment and titanium metal markets. The extensive weathering of the uppermost 40m of mineralized bedded sandstones has resulted in the disintegration of the parent bedrock, altering the titanite to titanium dioxide minerals. This reinforces the potential for Empire to develop a fully integrated, single-site, mine to high-quality TiO2 product project.

Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, expressed that this discovery is a game-changing development for Empire, expected to accelerate timescales and enhance the economics of Pitfield. The discovery represents a discreet high-grade saprolite-hosted deposit, sitting above the giant, titanite-dominant, fresh bedrock deposit. This discovery takes the company one step closer to the goal of developing the project as a fully integrated, single-site based, mining, processing, and refining operation.

The discovery has material and immediate positive impacts on the project, including the potential for a new, staged development plan, low-cost strip mining methods, and expedited path to the successful completion of a demonstration plant. The diamond core drill campaign carried out through February and March confirmed extensive weathering of the uppermost 40m of mineralized bedded sandstones, coincident with high TiO2% grades, covering the Cosgrove and Thomas mineral prospect areas.

In conclusion, the discovery of the titanium dioxide mineral deposit at the Pitfield Project in Western Australia is a significant development for Empire Metals Limited, with the potential to have a material and immediate positive impact on the overall project economics. This discovery reinforces the potential for Empire to develop a fully integrated, single-site, mine to high-quality TiO2 product project and opens up the possibility of a new, staged development plan.