Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE, OTCQB:EPMLF) has made two key technical hires and entered a new consultancy partnership as it begins large-scale testing of its titanium project in Western Australia, a move it says will push the site closer to commercial production.
The London-listed mine developer has appointed the specialists to support the development of its Pitfield project, a site it describes as potentially hosting a “giant titanium system”.
Alan Rubio, an engineer with nearly three decades of experience in mine development, has joined as study manager to lead infrastructure and economic assessments.
He will be supported by Pocholo Aviso, a hydro-metallurgist with a background in titanium dioxide processing, who will focus on optimising product development and evaluating processing routes.
Empire has also brought on board Strategic Metallurgy, a Perth-based consultancy, to advise on the next stage of testwork and oversee the transition from small-scale lab analysis to pilot testing.
"I am delighted to welcome Alan and Pocholo to our team," said managing director Shaun Bunn.
"Their technical expertise will be invaluable as we move toward defining the economic potential and product strategy for Pitfield. Building a strong in-house team has been key to our progress so far, and these appointments mark an important next step."
The moves coincide with the start of bulk metallurgical testing at Pitfield.
This is a key milestone in the development process, generating enough material to begin large-scale beneficiation trial, where the mineral is processed and concentrated and, for the first time, provides bulk samples to potential customers.
The company said the work would also deliver the technical data needed to design a commercial processing system.
"We are also very pleased to be working with Strategic Metallurgy, whose reputation and experience in process development will significantly strengthen our metallurgical programme," said Bunn.
"The timing is ideal, with large-scale metallurgical testing now underway, including ore scrubbing and spiral gravity separation, using bulk samples collected earlier this year."
Titanium, particularly in its oxide form (TiO₂), is widely used in pigment production for paints, plastics and paper.
Australia is among the world’s largest producers, though titanium mining projects typically require extensive metallurgical testing due to the complexity of separating the mineral from its host rock.