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

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/empire-metals-loneee-colossal-titanium-discovery-set-to-revolutionise-global-supply-6918

Recording date: 21st August 2025

Empire Metals (LON:EEE) is rapidly developing its Pitfield Titanium project in Western Australia, positioning itself as a potential disruptor in the global titanium industry. The company has achieved a significant technical breakthrough by producing titanium dioxide at 99.25% purity with minimal contaminants, demonstrating the exceptional quality of its ore body without even having a mineral resource estimate in place.

Managing Director Shaun Bunn recently outlined the company's strategic progress, highlighting how Pitfield's unique anatase-rich ore offers superior processing economics compared to traditional ilmenite operations. "The anatase doesn't need as much acid to digest as ilmenite. There's no iron to break down and no disposal issues relating to the disposal of that iron," Bunn explained, emphasizing the environmental and cost advantages.

Following completion of their largest drilling program to date—180 drill holes totaling 10,000 meters at the Thomas Prospect—Empire Metals expects to release its maiden mineral resource estimate by early Q4 2025. The focused drilling approach prioritized high-confidence resource blocks that can support immediate mine planning, with recent results delivering grades of seven to eight percent.

The project's strategic advantages extend beyond ore quality. Located in Western Australia's tier-one mining jurisdiction, Pitfield benefits from proximity to infrastructure, renewable energy access, and world-class technical expertise. The company has raised £4 million from strategic investors to fund development through critical phases including metallurgical testing and early piloting operations planned for 2026.

Empire Metals' product optionality represents a key differentiator, enabling production of various titanium products from traditional pigments to high-value metal precursors for aerospace and defense applications. "The optionality that we can get from this ore body is amazing," Bunn noted, positioning the company to serve multiple high-value market segments while benefiting from government support for critical minerals development in Australia.

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

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