Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE, OTCQB:EPMLF) told investors it has made a breakthrough in process development at its Pitfield titanium project in Western Australia.
Metallurgical testwork has confirmed that weathered ore from the site can be processed using conventional mineral separation and refining techniques, the company said in a statement.
It means strong recoveries and a high-purity titanium dioxide product can be made, Empire added. Moreover, the findings support a simplified development pathway without the need for a bespoke demonstration plant, enabling a lower-cost pilot programme.
“These results mark a step change in Pitfield's development," managing director Shaun Bunn said.
"We now have clear evidence that the ore is ideally suited to conventional mineral separation and refining, producing a high-purity titanium product with strong recoveries. This sets Pitfield apart from ilmenite-based projects, which typically face lower recoveries, higher costs, and significant environmental challenges”.
Bunn added: "Pitfield already stands out for its exceptional scale, continuity of high-grade near-surface mineralisation, and Tier 1 location with access to infrastructure. With this breakthrough in process development, we can now demonstrate a highly efficient and environmentally responsible route to producing multiple high-value titanium products."
London-based stockbroker SP Angel, in a note, highlighted: "Results generated from continuous piloting will be the next key derisking stage in the development of Pitfield, enabling product certification from end users and the commencement of feasibility studies and financing discussions."
Trading at 57.7p, Empire shares were up some 15% on Thursday - having changed hands as high as 61p, a new twelve-month high, earlier in the session.
Testwork in more detail
Results from the programme included flotation recoveries of 77% at the rougher stage and 90% at the cleaning stage, with acid bake and hot-water leach tests achieving 98% titanium dissolution.
The final product graded 99.25% titanium dioxide with negligible impurities.
The company said the ore’s low iron content reduced acid use, waste volumes and costs compared with ilmenite-based feedstock.