Interview with Shaun Bunn, Managing Director of Empire Metals Ltd.

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/empire-metals-eee-massive-high-grade-titanium-mineral-system-explores-copper-potential-3202

Recording date: 21st November 2023

Massive Titanium Discovery in Western Australia
Empire Metals has announced a major titanium discovery at their 100% owned Pitfield Project in Western Australia. Initial drilling intercepted significant mineralization over a 30km strike length, with exceptional grades up to 20% TiO2 sampled at the surface. This points to a very large mineralised system with world-class potential.

As Managing Director Sean Burger stated, “We found titanium we found titanium over 30km strike length, we found it now 300-400m below surface, every meter full of titanium minerals.” The company believes Pitfield has uncovered a unique sedimentary-hosted titanium deposit not seen globally before. The scale and richness show similarities to giant discoveries like the Carlin Trend in Nevada.

Strategic Importance of Titanium
Titanium has faced structural supply deficits with accelerating demand from aerospace, defence, automotive, and other key industries. This backdrop provides strong incentives for new projects, especially those with clear scale advantages. With market size expected to reach $26 billion by 2030 and steady 6% annual growth, Pitfield offers exposure to these dynamics.

Empire’s Focus on Delineating High-Grade Areas
While the sheer district-scale mineralised footprint is proven, Empire is prioritizing drilling and metallurgical analysis to pinpoint higher-grade zones. As Burger explained, “we need to narrow down our scope, focus on where the grades are...then that translates to metallurgical investigations.” Defining optimised mineralization and processing flowsheets will drive commercialisation plans. By targeting high-purity titanium compounds rather than bulk minerals, Empire can substantially boost potential revenues per tonne of ore.

Attracting Strategic Partners
Empire recognises it will require strategic partnerships and cornerstone investments to develop a project of this magnitude. But they want to control and drive the upside. As Burger asserted, “I don't imagine us as a seller, I don't imagine a situation where we get there and flip it, give it away.” The company is actively building connections across the industry and shoring up technical capabilities to advance Pitfield.

The Coming Months

With over 12,000m of additional drilling starting in Q1 2023, Empire expects to significantly advance resource modelling and metallurgical analysis over the next 6-12 months. The work programs are fully funded and will feed into initial development planning. As results further validate Pitfield’s remarkable credentials, interest from majors and strategic investors is expected to accelerate. Titanium assets this significant rarely come to market. Exposure today represents exceptional leverage as Empire transitions into the development cycle to potentially build a multi-billion dollar project in a Tier 1 location.
—

View Empire Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/empire-metals

Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com