Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE, OTCQX:EPMLF) told investors it has completed an integrated processing flowsheet for its Pitfield Titanium Project in Western Australia, marking a key step in efforts to turn one of the world’s largest titanium discoveries into a source of premium pigment and titanium metal feedstock.
The AIM-quoted company said bench-scale testwork had supported production of a high-purity 99.25% TiO₂ product, with the flowsheet also offering optionality to produce titanium sponge metal feedstock and a high-grade alumina co-product.
Whole-of-ore flotation testwork confirmed selective recovery of titanium minerals, rejecting more than 90% of unwanted gangue and producing cleaner concentrate grades above 34% TiO₂. Titanium extraction of up to 98% was achieved through an acid bake-water leach process, while initial work produced high-grade alumina grading 98.7% Al₂O₃.
Managing director Shaun Bunn said the development of the fully integrated flowsheet represented “a defining moment” for Pitfield, adding that it demonstrated the potential to serve premium pigment and titanium metal markets while providing an option to produce alumina as a marketable co-product.
Empire said the flowsheet uses conventional processing steps and is expected to support a competitive cost structure, helped by early gangue rejection, lower acid consumption and leach temperatures, acid recycling through the alumina circuit and a smaller iron residue stream. Continuous metallurgical piloting is scheduled to start in Q3 2026, ahead of feasibility work and product sample evaluation by potential customers and offtake partners.
