Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE) hydrometallurgical testwork carried out on heavy mineral concentrates from the Pitfield project in Western Australia produced ‘exceptional results’
Acid leaching of the anatase-rich heavy mineral concentrate from gravity testwork resulted in 'almost complete extraction' of the titanium from the anatase, said the statement.
Empire added the test results met a key objective to develop a process that will produce a high value +95% titanium dioxide (TiO₂) product, which currently sells at US $2,400 to over US$4,000 per tonne for TiO₂ pigments and between $8,000 to $12,000 per tonne for titanium sponge.
A combination of gravity and flotation techniques were used in the testing offering a straightforward processing method to produce a clean, anatase-rich concentrate.
Shaun Bunn, Empire’s managing director, said: “Using an industry-standard acid bake-water wash leaching process, resulted in 95% dissolution of the contained anatase, an exceptional result.
"The combination of gravity and flotation mineral separation techniques shows significant promise as a simple and conventional processing route for producing a clean anatase-rich mineral concentrate which can then undergo further beneficiation via an acid leach to recover the TiO2 into a high-grade, high-purity concentrate.
"We are excited by these results, and they align with our goal to produce a high-grade, high-purity titanium dioxide product for which there is strong demand and tightening supply due to market dynamics and increasing geopolitical tensions globally.”