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Highlights
Metallurgical testwork confirms weathered ore at Pitfield is amenable to conventional processing, producing a high-purity titanium dioxide product grading 99.25% TiO₂.
Flotation recoveries of up to 90% and leach recoveries of 98% titanium dissolution achieved, with overall recoveries of around 67% and scope for optimisation.
Testwork indicates reduced costs and environmental impacts compared with traditional ilmenite processing routes, supporting an expedited development pathway.
Empire Metals Limited (LSE:EEE), the exploration and development company, has reported further progress from ongoing metallurgical testwork at its Pitfield Project in Western Australia. Results confirm that the weathered ore at Pitfield can be processed using conventional mineral separation and refining techniques, producing high-purity titanium dioxide (TiO₂) suitable for pigment and sponge metal production.
Metallurgical Results
Recent flotation tests on fine weathered ore samples achieved recoveries of 77% in the rougher stage and 90% in the cleaning stage, while leach tests using direct acid bake and hot-water leach recorded 98% titanium dissolution. These results delivered an overall recovery of around 67% from flotation feed to final product, with optimisation work expected to improve outcomes further.
The final product attained a purity level of 99.25% TiO₂, with negligible impurities, making it suitable for use in titanium sponge metal or pigment production. The lower Fe₂O₃ content of approximately 5% reduces acid consumption and waste generation, providing cost and environmental advantages over conventional ilmenite feedstock processing.
Development Pathway
Empire stated that the ability to process Pitfield ore using standard separation techniques removes the need for a costly demonstration plant. Instead, the company will advance a continuous pilot programme using accredited commercial laboratories, enabling a more efficient and lower-cost development route.
The company has committed significant resources to the flowsheet development programme, including a dedicated technical team of process engineers and external consultants with decades of titanium industry experience. The work is supported by Strategic Metallurgy, government research scientists and local engineering and design consultants.
Focus on Weathered Ore
While early testwork was carried out on titanite-rich fresh rock, attention has since shifted to the extensive weathered cap at Pitfield. This zone contains primarily anatase and rutile, characterised by its soft texture, elevated titanium grades, and near-surface exposure. These characteristics provide both mining and processing advantages compared to fresh ore.
Ongoing work is focused on improving flotation and gravity concentrate grades and recoveries. Large-scale scrubbing, gravity and flotation testwork has commenced at mineral processing laboratories, producing titanium concentrates for further downstream beneficiation studies.
Next Steps
Empire plans to complete bench and large-scale batch metallurgical testwork by the first quarter of 2026. This phase will prepare the way for continuous piloting of the process and enable the production of bulk product samples for prospective end users.
The company noted that testwork continues to demonstrate the amenability of Pitfield ores to conventional processing routes, presenting opportunities for more efficient and environmentally favourable production compared to the dominant ilmenite-based titanium supply chain.
