Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE, OTCQB:EPMLF) shares soared in Monday's trade after the firm told investors it has outlined a large, high-grade titanium dioxide zone at the Thomas prospect, part of its Pitfield Project in Western Australia, where it has seen some of the strongest grades to date.
The newly defined central core averages approximately 6% TiO₂ across a continuous 3.6km strike length, with mineralisation starting near surface, Empire highlighted.
Managing director Shaun Bunn said the results “confirm the exceptional scale and grade of titanium mineralisation at Thomas”.
He added that assays arrived ahead of schedule, allowing the company to accelerate resource modelling and move rapidly towards a maiden JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate.
The latest assays feature multiple thick, high-grade intercepts above 6% TiO₂, including 44m at 7.87% from surface, 50m at 7.84% from 4m, 54m at 7.41% from surface and 98m at 7.05% from 2m in two separate RC holes.
Across the broader drill grid, nearly two-thirds of holes averaged above 4% TiO₂, while more than 90% exceeded a 2% cut-off, underscoring the continuity of mineralisation across a 5.2km by 2.6km area tested to date.
"The continuity of high-grade mineralisation near surface is particularly exciting for future mine development," Shaun Bunn added.
The May-through–June drilling comprised 140 aircore (AC) holes for 6,360 metres and 40 reverse circulation (RC) holes for 3,776 metres.
Since Empire's first drilling began in March 2023, Empire has completed 382 holes for 32,265 metres, including diamond, RC and AC drilling, with more than 5,000 samples submitted for assay.
Empire shares rose 4.3p or 14.5% in Monday's deals, with the price reaching 34.06p.