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Kingsrose Mining Limited (ASX: KRM) (Kingsrose or Company) is pleased to provide a progress update on the Finnmark (Norway) and Central Finland exploration alliances with BHP (Alliances).
HIGHLIGHTS
- In May 2024 Kingsrose commenced one of the largest scale generative exploration programs in Europe, under Alliances funded by BHP (Figures 1 and 2, see ASX announcement dated 22 May 2024).
- With the support of BHP’s generative exploration expertise, Kingsrose is applying mineral systems analysis of the mineral belts to identify the most prospective areas for discovery of polymetallic copper- nickel-PGE massive sulphide.
- US$2.7 million of the combined US$5.0 million committed expenditure for Year 1 of the ‘Project Generation Phase’ of the Alliances has been spent on exploration activities to 31 December 2024.
Finnmark Alliance
- A 5,067 line km airborne gravity gradiometry survey was completed in 2024 (Figure 1) along with 554 soil samples and 208 rockchip samples.
- High-grade copper in polymetallic copper-gold-PGE sulphide veins was discovered by Kingsrose in the Porsanger and Virdnechokka areas (Figure 1). These veins may be spatially related to, and used as vectors towards, deeper magmatic sulphide accumulations. Highlight results include:
- 29.7 % Cu, 1.1 g/t Au, 53 g/t Ag, 0.54 g/t Pd, 0.02 g/t Pt, Porsanger (Sample 14398, Plate 1)
- 4.4 % Cu, 1.8 g/t Au, 0.50 g/t Pd, 0.06 g/t Pt, Virdnechokka (Sample 14508, Plate 2)
- Regional-scale helicopter-borne EM surveys will commence in late February to explore for conductive bodies spatially associated with intrusions which may represent massive sulphide mineralisation.
- These combined datasets will be used to generate follow up targets for field work in summer 2025.
Central Finland Alliance
- 4,980 line km of drone and ground magnetic surveys were completed in the Haapajarvi reservation, along with 795 soil samples and 87 rockchip samples (Haapajarvi and Suonenjoki) (Figure 2).
- Newly discovered zones of outcropping mineralisation were identified at the Rehula target (Figure 2), including:
- 0.46% Cu, 110 ppm Co, 0.03 g/t Pd, Rehula (Sample 13616).
Fabian Baker, Managing Director, commented"We are delighted with both the progress of our exploration programs and continued support from BHP for the Alliances. Systematic exploration using advanced geophysical and geochemical techniques is already returning highly encouraging results which is a testament to the prospective nature of the mineral belts we are exploring for critical minerals copper, nickel and PGEs. With an equally strong and dedicated approach to social and environmental values, we believe the long-term prospects for discovery in these underexplored regions on Europe’s doorstep are high."
Plate 1: Chalcocite-bornite-quartz vein hosted in amphibolite. 29.7% Cu, 0.01% Ni, 1.1 g/t Au, 53 g/t Ag, 0.54 g/t Pd, 0.02 g/t Pt. Porsanger area, sample 14398.
Plate 2: Chalcopyrite-quartz vein hosted in paragneiss. 4.4% Cu, 0.01% Ni, 1.8 g/t Au, 0.50 g/t Pd,0.06 g/t Pt. Virdnechokka area, sample 14508.
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This article includes content from Kingsrose Mining, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Empire Metals: Advancing a Game-changing, Globally Significant Titanium Project in Western Australia
Empire Metals (LON:EEE, OTCQB:EPMLF) is an exploration and resource development company focused on Australia, gaining global recognition for its discovery and swift advancement of what is believed to be the world’s largest titanium deposit.
The company’s primary focus is the Pitfield project in Western Australia — a premier mining jurisdiction. With over 1,000 square kilometres of land and a titanium-rich mineral system extending 40 kilometres in strike length, Pitfield is shaping up to be a district-scale discovery with the potential to significantly influence the global titanium supply chain.
Pitfield’s prime location in Western AustraliaEmpire’s focus on titanium comes at a pivotal time, as it is officially recognized as a critical mineral by both the EU and the US for its essential role in aerospace, defence, medical, clean energy, and advanced industrial applications. Demand for titanium dioxide — the most widely used form — is surging, while global supply is increasingly constrained by geopolitical risks, resource depletion, and environmental challenges. With over 60 percent of supply concentrated in countries like China and Russia, Western markets face growing vulnerabilities.
Company Highlights
- The flagship Pitfield project is the world’s largest known titanium discovery. It’s a district-scale “giant” titanium mineral system, characterised by high-grade, high-purity titanium mineralisation exhibiting exceptional continuity.
- Titanium is in a global supply deficit and recognized as a critical mineral by the EU and US.
- Drill intercepts at Pitfield include up to 202 meters at 6.32 percent titanium dioxide (TiO2) from surface, confirming vast scale and grade.
- Empire Metals operates in one of the world’s most secure, mining-friendly jurisdictions: Western Australia.
- The company is led by an experienced, agile team, with proven expertise in exploration, mine development, and value creation across multiple commodities.
- With a number of key development catalysts planned for 2025, including a maiden resource estimate, bulk sampling for scale-up of metallurgical testwork, and product optimisation, Empire remains significantly undervalued relative to its peers.
This Empire Metals profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*
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Empire Metals
Investor Insight
Empire Metals (OTCQB:EPMLF, AIM:EEE) is unlocking one of the world’s largest and purest titanium deposits at its flagship Pitfield project in Western Australia. With growing global demand, a looming supply deficit, and near-term development milestones, Empire offers a compelling investment opportunity in the critical minerals space.
Overview
Empire Metals (OTCQB:EPMLF, AIM:EEE) is an Australian focused exploration and resource development company rapidly gaining international attention for its discovery and rapid development of what is believed to be the world’s largest titanium deposit.
The company is focused on advancing its flagship asset, the Pitfield project, located in Western Australia, a tier 1 mining jurisdiction. With a dominant landholding of more than 1,000 sq km, and a titanium mineral system that spans 40 km in strike length, Pitfield is emerging as a district-scale “giant” discovery with the potential to reshape the global titanium supply landscape.
Empire’s strategic focus on titanium comes at a pivotal time. Titanium is officially recognized as a critical mineral by both the European Union and the United States, owing to its essential role in aerospace, defense, medical technologies, clean energy and high-performance industrial applications. Global demand for titanium dioxide — the most widely used form of titanium — is surging due to its unmatched properties as a pigment and as a feedstock for titanium metal. Titanium supply chains are also increasingly being constrained by geopolitical risks, mine depletion and environmental challenges associated with traditional production. More than 60 percent of the global supply chain is currently concentrated in a handful of countries, notably China and Russia, creating significant vulnerabilities for Western markets.
Titanium has been designated as a critical mineral in both the EU and the US.
Against this backdrop, Empire Metals offers investors a compelling opportunity to gain exposure to a strategically vital metal through a large-scale, high-grade and clean titanium discovery. Unlike many traditional titanium sources, Pitfield's mineralization is exceptionally pure — free from detrimental amounts of uranium, thorium, chromium and other contaminants — making it ideally suited for premium, high-purity end markets. Furthermore, the mineralized zone is near-surface and laterally extensive, allowing for low-strip and scalable bulk mining with conventional processing technologies.
With more than 22,000 meters of drilling already completed and only a fraction of the mineral system tested, Empire is aggressively advancing Pitfield towards a maiden JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate, targeted for H2-2025. Alongside this work, the company is also undertaking bulk sampling and metallurgical processing to advance flowsheet design and optimize product specifications. It is also engaging with industry players to assess product suitability for premium pigment and titanium sponge markets. Empire is planning to finalize, during the current calendar year, a mining study to evaluate the potential for a low-cost strip mining approach, utilizing continuous mining techniques.
The company is supported by a seasoned leadership team with deep expertise in exploration, resource development, mining, metallurgy and capital markets — ensuring that strategic decisions are guided by both technical excellence and a strong track record of value creation.
Company Highlights
- The flagship Pitfield project is the world’s largest known titanium discovery. It’s a district-scale “giant” titanium mineral system, characterised by high-grade, high-purity titanium mineralisation exhibiting exceptional continuity.
- Titanium is in a global supply deficit and recognized as a critical mineral by the EU and US.
- Drill intercepts at Pitfield include up to 202 meters at 6.32 percent titanium dioxide (TiO2) from surface, confirming vast scale and grade.
- Empire Metals operates in one of the world’s most secure, mining-friendly jurisdictions: Western Australia.
- The company is led by an experienced, agile team, with proven expertise in exploration, mine development, and value creation across multiple commodities.
- With a number of key development catalysts planned for 2025, including a maiden resource estimate, bulk sampling for scale-up of metallurgical testwork, and product optimisation, Empire remains significantly undervalued relative to its peers.
Key Projects
Pitfield Project – A World-Class Titanium Discovery
Located in Western Australia, the Pitfield project is Empire Metals’ flagship asset and represents one of the most exciting titanium discoveries globally. Spanning an area of approximately 1,042 sq km, the project has revealed a colossal mineral system measuring 40 km in length and up to 8 km in width, with geophysical indications of mineralization extending to at least a depth of 5 km.
Pitfield’s prime location in Western Australia
Extensive drilling across the project has intercepted thick, laterally continuous zones of high-grade titanium dioxide mineralization, highlighting the system’s enormous scale and consistency.
The titanium at Pitfield occurs predominantly in the minerals anatase and rutile within a weathered, in-situ cap that begins at surface. These minerals are exceptionally pure, often exceeding 90 percent titanium dioxide. They are free from harmful amounts of contaminants like uranium, thorium, chromium and phosphorus — qualities that are likely to make the deposit uniquely suitable for premium, high-purity titanium applications in aerospace, defense and clean technologies.
Pitfield is strategically located near the town of Three Springs, approximately 150 km southeast of the port city of Geraldton. The project benefits from direct access to essential infrastructure, including sealed highways, rail lines and an available water supply. This connectivity significantly enhances development potential by reducing logistics costs and simplifying future project build-out. Moreover, the Western Australian government actively supports critical mineral development, and Empire is operating within a stable, mining-friendly jurisdiction known for streamlined permitting and investment security.
Empire has completed more than 22,000 meters of drilling, confirming standout titanium dioxide (TiO2) results such as 154 meters at 6.76 percent TiO2, 148 meters at 6.49 percent TiO2, and 150 meters at 6.44 percent TiO2. Notably, mineralization remains open at depth in all tested zones, and to date, only around 5 percent of the interpreted system has been drilled. This underscores the immense upside potential for resource expansion.
The project’s development advantages are equally compelling: the mineralization is near-surface and amenable to simple, bulk mining methods with conventional processing. Its location in a tier-one mining jurisdiction offers access to infrastructure, a skilled workforce and strong regulatory support.
The Pitfield project presents a scalable processing pathway. Photo shows a gravity flotation test in process (left) and a close-up of a flotation test (right)
Pitfield is advancing toward a maiden JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate, expected by H2-2025. The project is already being recognized as a potential cornerstone asset in the global titanium supply chain.
Other Projects
In addition to Pitfield, Empire Metals maintains a portfolio of early-stage exploration assets offering optionality and exposure to other strategic and precious metals. Empire holds interests in two Western Australian projects — the Walton and Eclipse gold projects — both situated in historically productive mineral belts. While these assets are not the current focus, they contribute exploration upside and optionality within the company’s broader strategy.
Board and Management Team
Neil O’Brien - Non-executive Chairman
Neil O’Brien is the former SVP exploration and new business development at Lundin
Mining, until he retired in 2018. He has an extensive global mining career as a PhD economic geologist, exploration leader and board executive.
Shaun Bunn - Managing Director
Shaun Bunn is a metallurgist based in Perth, Western Australia, with expertise in international exploration, mining, processing and development. He has a successful track record managing mining projects through all stages of development.
Greg Kuenzel - Finance Director
Based in London, Greg Kuenzel is a chartered accountant, and corporate finance and financial management expert. He has extensive experience working with resources-focused AIM listed companies.
Peter Damouni - Non-executive Director
With more than 20 years of corporate and finance experience focused in the natural resources sector, Peter Damouni holds executive and director roles in TSXV and LSE listed companies where he has played key roles in significantly enhancing shareholder value.
Phil Brumit - Non-executive Director
Phil Brumit is a veteran mining engineer and operations expert, delivering major global operations. His previous roles include international leadership positions at Freeport-McMoRan, Lundin Mining and Newmont Corporation.
Narelle Marriott - Process Development Manager
Narelle Marriott is a former BHP senior process engineer. Most recently, she was the general manager for process development for Hastings Technology Metals.
Andrew Faragher - Exploration Manager
Andrew Faragher is a former Rio Tinto exploration manager with more than 25 years of experience working across multiple commodities.
Arabella Burwell - Corporate Development
Arabella Burwell is a former Senior Director Corporate Development at NASDAQ-listed GoDaddy and a Partner, Capital Raising and Strategic Partnerships, at Hannam & Partners in London and South Africa.
Los Andes Copper
Investor Insight
As demand for copper continues to rise, driven by global electrification trends, Los Andes Copper is well-placed to leverage its significant copper position in Chile, driven at the helm by a group of highly experienced technical and business leaders.
Overview
The global transition to electrification is driving surging demand for copper, a metal essential to clean energy and emerging technologies. The copper market is set to reach a CAGR of 5.4 percent during 2024-2030, projected at US$368.8 billion by 2030.
Chile, the world’s top copper producer, is a key player in meeting this demand. With its vast deposits and stable, mining-friendly environment, the country continues to attract leading mining companies.
Los Andes Copper (TSXV:LA,OTCQX:LSANF) is advancing its 100 percent-owned Vizcachitas copper-molybdenum project in Chile — one of the largest undeveloped copper assets not held by a major. Backed by an experienced management team, the company is well-positioned to help meet the world’s growing copper needs.
The company filed a positive pre-feasibility study in 2023 indicating US$2.78 billion after-tax net present value (NPV) using an 8 percent discount rate and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 24.2 percent at US$ 3.68/lb copper, US$12.90/lb molybdenum and US$21.79/oz silver, with an estimated initial capital cost of US$2.44 billion. The PFS also highlighted a construction period of 3.25 years and a payback period of 2.5 years from initial production.
The company expanded its land package by obtaining first-priority exploration claims over new areas within and adjacent to the current property boundaries for the Vizcachitas copper project.
The claims cover an 18 sq km block within the current property boundary, and another 7 sq km block adjacent to the north-east corner of the property boundary.
The Vizcachitas project including new claim blocks surrounded by mining majors
Los Andes works closely with the local community to support the development of local businesses and social organizations. The company has joined the Association of Small Miners of Putaendo and has established several programs to support social organizations, local technical high schools and female entrepreneurs. Los Andes is also environmentally aware and strives to maintain an excellent ESG rating.
The company’s management team is experienced in the natural resources industry, including experts in geology, community affairs, and corporate finance.
Company Highlights
- Los Andes Copper is a Vancouver-based mining company focused on developing its world-class Vizcachitas copper project in Chile.
- To support the project, the company has received US$14 million in investment from Queen’s Road Capital and US$ 20 million from Ecora Resources.
- The Vizcachitas project is the largest advanced copper project in the Americas, wholly owned by a junior miner and has tremendous blue-sky potential.
- The company released the results of its pre-feasibility study (PFS) in 2023 with a US$2.8 billion post-tax NPV8 and 24 percent IRR at US$3.68 copper.
- The company strives to maintain an excellent ESG rating and works closely to support the local community and minimize the project’s environmental impact.
- An experienced management team leads Los Andes Copper with a range of experience throughout the mining industry.
Key Project
Vizcachitas Copper Project
The 100-percent-owned Chilean Vizcachitas copper project is one of the largest advanced copper deposits in the Americas and the largest deposit owned 100 percent by a junior miner. The project is located in the Rio Rocin Valley, roughly 150 kilometers northeast of Santiago.
Project Highlights:
- Strong Existing Infrastructure: The project is accessed by a 124-kilometer paved highway, a nearby railway and shipping ports. Due to the presence of existing copper mines, smelting facilities are accessible by railway. Additionally, there are multiple large power substations near the project. Completed PFS: 2023 Pre-Feasibility Study results indicated:
- Strong Project Economics: The Vizcachitas Project boasts an after-tax NPV of US$2.78 billion (8 percent discount rate) and an impressive internal rate of return (IRR) of 24.2 percent at metal prices of US$3.68/lb copper, US$12.90/lb molybdenum, and US$21.79/oz silver. Initial capital expenditure is estimated at US$2.44 billion.
- Efficient Development Timeline: The project is expected to have a construction period of 3.25 years and a rapid payback period of just 2.5 years from the start of production.
- Resource Growth: Since the June 2019 Preliminary Economic Assessment( PEA), measured and indicated resources have increased by 16 percent to a total of 14.8 billion pounds copper equivalent (CuEq).
- Robust Resource Base:
- Measured Resources: 2.61 billion lbs copper, 84 million lbs molybdenum, and 11 million oz silver.
- Indicated Resources: 10.42 billion lbs copper, 442 million lbs molybdenum, and 43 million oz silver.
- Inferred Resources: Increased by 130 percent to 15.4 billion lbs CuEq (including 13.75 billion lbs copper, 495 million lbs molybdenum, and 55 million oz silver).
- Commitment to ESG Excellence: The Prefeasibility Study (PFS) incorporated advanced sustainable mining practices, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in water usage and a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption. The project’s footprint has been minimized by confining operations to a single valley. The company has also committed to using desalinated water to ensure a sustainable supply, while ongoing community engagement initiatives aim to build lasting partnerships and shared value with local stakeholders.
- Strategic Royalty Agreement: Los Andes Copper secured a US$20 million royalty agreement with Ecora Resources, a leading investor in future-facing commodities. The deal grants Ecora a 0.25 percent net smelter return (NSR) royalty on open-pit operations and a 0.125 percent NSR on underground production.
- Permit to Resume Drilling: The Second Environmental Court of Chile has ruled that Los Andes Copper has fully met the conditions imposed in July 2022 and is now authorized to restart drilling activities at Vizcachitas.
Management Team
Santiago Montt - CEO
With 11 years of experience in the mining sector, Santiago Montt has a law degree from the University of Chile, a J.S.D. law degree (PhD) from Yale University, and a Master's in Public Policy from Princeton University. He has worked for BHP from 2011 to 2021 in various roles: vice-president of corporate affairs for the Americas, VP of ligation (Global), VP of legal Brazil, and VP of legal copper. He is an experienced professional in the areas of stakeholder management, risk management, crisis management, project management and commercial and legal affairs.
Manuel Matta - Senior Mining and Project Consultant
Manuel Matta is a mining engineer from the University of Chile, with more than 30 years of experience in operations, planning and projects. He worked for Falconbridge and Xstrata as vice-president of projects and development where he led the expansion of the Collahuasi mine. He was also the general manager of Altonorte Smelter in Chile. Matta also worked for Barrick Gold in Chile and the Dominican Republic and was the general manager of Las Cenizas copper mines in Chile.
Antony Amberg - Chief Geologist
Anthony Amber is a chartered geologist with 32 years of diverse experience working in Asia, Africa, and South America. Amberg is a qualified person under NI 43-101. He has managed various exploration projects ranging from grassroots through to JORC-compliant feasibility studies. In 2001, he returned to Chile, where he started a geological consulting firm specializing in project evaluation and NI 43-101 technical reports. He began his career in 1986 working with Anglo American in South Africa before moving on to work for the likes of Severin-Southern Sphere, Bema Gold, Rio Tinto and Kazakhstan Minerals Corporation.
Ignacio Melero - Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability
Ignacio Melero is a lawyer with a degree from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile with vast experience in corporate and community affairs. Before Los Andes, Ignacio was responsible for community affairs at CMPC, having managed community and stakeholder affairs for a number of its pulp and forestry divisions throughout the country. Ignacio has worked for the Government of Chile, in the Ministry General Secretariat of the Presidency. He was responsible for the inter-ministerial coordination of the ChileAtiende project, a multi-service network linking communities, regional governments and public services.
Harry Nijjar - Chief Financial Officer
Harry Nijjar holds a CPA CMA designation from the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia. He is a managing director of Malaspina Consultants. Nijjar has been working with public and private companies for the past 10 years in various roles. He is also currently the CFO of Darien Business Development and Clarmin Explorations.
Empire Metals Confirms Extensive High-Grade Titanium Zones at Pitfield
Highlights
- 85 AC holes drilled over 4,437m, with 43 holes at Thomas and 42 holes at Cosgrove Prospects.
- Broad, continuous, high-grade zones identified in every hole, with an average weathered interval grade of 5.77% TiO₂.
- Standout intercepts include:
- 60m @ 6.30% TiO₂ from surface (AC25COS001)
- 56m @ 7.15% TiO₂ from surface (AC25COS042)
- 51m @ 7.88% TiO₂ from surface (AC25TOM039)
- 57m @ 7.48% TiO₂ from surface (AC25TOM040)
- 52m @ 7.43% TiO₂ from surface (AC25TOM042)
- Cosgrove Prospect revealed multiple zones exceeding 10% TiO₂, including 14m @ 11.66% TiO₂ from 2m depth.
- Thomas Prospect continues to impress with intercepts including 49m @ 7.49% TiO₂ and rich internal zones up to 11.67% TiO₂.
This campaign not only delivered over 70 tonnes of metallurgical bulk samples but also produced analytical data that will directly inform the planning of a maiden JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate, targeted for Q3 2025.
Total drilling at Pitfield has surpassed 22,000m across 202 holes, providing a robust geological foundation ahead of resource definition.
Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, said:"These exceptional results demonstrate the sheer scale and quality of titanium mineralisation at Pitfield. The consistency of high-grade intervals from near-surface, along with the depth and continuity of weathering, has surpassed our expectations. The bulk samples will now feed directly into upscaled metallurgical testwork aimed at fast-tracking product development."
AC Drill Results Summary
The drilling campaign consisted of 85 AC drillholes for a total 4,437m drilled, that both tested the extent of, and bulk sampled, the high-grade zones of titanium mineralisation that were previously discovered within the strongly weathered cap covering this giant, titanium-rich mineral system.
The drilling focused on areas within the Thomas and Cosgrove Prospects. These areas contained thick, highly weathered in-situ zones of high-grade titanium mineralisation, previously identified from reverse circulation ('RC') and diamond drillholes ('DD'). The total combined drilling covered an area over 60 hectares, on a 100m by 100m grid, with the following key results:
Thomas Prospect:
- 43 AC drill holes for a total 2,326m, drilled
- Average hole depth of 54.1m
- Average grade of 6.20% TiO2 from 1,148 samples
Cosgrove Prospect:
- 42 AC drill holes for a total 2,111m drilled
- Average hole depth of 50.3m
- Average grade of 5.34% TiO2 from 1,060 samples
Two drill holes at each prospect were "twin holes", designed to validate the geological and assay data quality of the AC drill holes, focusing on the weathered portion of three existing RC drillholes and one diamond core drill hole located within the target areas.
The drill programme confirmed thick, strongly weathered zones of high-grade titanium mineralisation of between 7% and 10% TiO2 at both the Thomas and Cosgrove Prospects, with assays peaking up to 18% (refer Table 1). Importantly, all drill holes confirmed continuous mineralisation, with an average grade of 5.79% TiO2 from 2,208 samples.
Table 1: Significant intercepts from February 2025 AC Drilling
Pitfield Project Combined Drilling Summary 2023-2025
The Company completed its maiden reconnaissance drilling programme at the Pitfield Project in early 2023 (announced 24 April 2023), which consisted of 21 RC drill holes focused mainly to the north of the giant mineral system, near Mt Scratch. The Company executed two further drill campaigns in late 2023, a three-hole DD drill programme, which confirmed the mineralisation to a depth of over 350m below surface (announced 20 November 2023) and a 40-hole RC drill programme which confirmed the high-grade, near surface mineralisation at what is now referred to as the Thomas and Cosgrove Prospects (announced 22 January 2024).
Further RC and DD campaigns were carried out in early 2024, which identified the much higher grade, in-situ weathered cap and confirmed the presence of clean, titanium dioxide minerals (anatase and rutile) which occur as a result of the natural weathering of the interbedded in-situ sediments near surface (announced 5 June 2024). A subsequent DD drilling campaign (announced 24 October 2024) encountered extensive weathered zones from very near surface to depths of around 60 metres, nearly double that previous encountered at the Cosgrove and Thomas prospects, confirming the extremely soft and friable nature of the bedded sandstones in this weathered zone.
With the successful completion of the recent 85-hole AC drilling campaign the total exploration drilling completed at the Pitfield Project now stands at:
Figure 1 below shows all the prior drill holes across the mineralised system and the recent AC drilling at the high-grade target areas within the Cosgrove and Thomas Prospects.
Figure 1. Pitfield Project Drill Hole Collar Location
February 2025 AC Drilling Programme
Cosgrove Prospect
Drilling at Cosgrove was focused on a priority area off approximately 500m by 600m (refer Figure 2).
The weathered zone interval width from this drill programme confirmed previous drilling in the area, however the average TiO2 grades for each drill hole were higher than any prior programme.
There are broad zones of high-grade mineralisation over the weathered zone, for example 60m at 6.30% TiO2 from surface [AC25COS001] and 56m @ 7.15% TiO2 from surface [AC25COS042]. The depth of weathering of the Cosgrove drill area was shown to be on average 50.1m and contains very high-grade intervals of mineralisation of up to 18% TiO2.
There are broad zones of high-grade mineralisation close to surface, for example 14m at 11.66% TiO2 from 2m [AC25COS036] and 18m at 10.00% TiO2 from 10m [AC25COS036].
All 42 drill holes confirmed the continuity of high-grade TiO2 mineralisation, with total hole average grades ranging from 3.48% to 7.15% TiO2. The overall average grade from the 1,060 assayed samples is 5.34% TiO2.
Figure 2. Air Core drillhole collar locations within the Cosgrove Prospect priority area.
Thomas Prospect
Drilling at Thomas was focused on a priority area of approximately 300m by 1,000m (refer Figure 3).
The depth of weathering at Thomas was consistently deeper than that encountered at Cosgrove, with the deepest AC drill hole reaching 66m from surface.
There are broad zones of high-grade mineralisation over the weathered zone, for example 57m @ 7.48% TiO2 from surface [AC25TOM040] and 49m @ 7.49% TiO2 from surface [AC25TOM021]. There are broad zones of high-grade mineralisation close to surface, for example 16m at 10.00% TiO2 from 6m [AC25TOM040] and 14m at 10.06% TiO2 from 4m [AC25TOM041].
All 43 drill holes confirmed the continuity of high-grade TiO2 mineralisation, with total hole average grades ranging from 4.41% to 7.88% TiO2. The overall average grade from the 1,148 assayed samples is 6.20% TiO2.
Figure 3. Air Core drill hole collar locations within the Thomas Prospect priority area.
Next Steps:
Acceleration of Mineral Resource Estimate ('MRE') Drill Programme
Based on the highly encouraging AC drill campaign results the Company is planning an enlarged programme of works at the Thomas and Cosgrove Prospects. Results from the AC, RC and DD drilling indicate the potential for a significant mineral resource at both prospects. The strategic importance of a resource for Empire Metals is significant for the company moving forward with the project. As such planning has begun on generating a MRE, which will include RC and AC drilling, with the drilling focused on a significantly expanded target area.
Interpretation of the drilling data highlights the Thomas Prospect as the best place to drill the initial resource due to the better consistency of geology and grade with thicker zones of weathering. A second phase of drilling will be planned in late 2025 to drill a resource at the Cosgrove prospect.
Metallurgical Test Programme
The broad zones of high-grade mineralisation encountered at or near surface within the in-situ weathered cap have been shown to hold the highest percentage of the most important titanium bearing minerals, anatase and rutile, and these will form the primary feedstock for the upscaled metallurgical test work programme.
The Pitfield Titanium Project
Located within the Mid-West region of Western Australia, near the northern wheatbelt town of Three Springs, the Pitfield titanium project lies 313km north of Perth and 156km southeast of Geraldton, the Mid West region's capital and major port. Western Australia is ranked as one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world according to the Fraser Institute's Investment Attractiveness Index published in 2023, and has mining-friendly policies, stable government, transparency, and advanced technology expertise. Pitfield has existing connections to port (both road & rail), HV power substations, and is nearby to natural gas pipelines as well as a green energy hydrogen fuel hub, which is under planning and development (refer Figure 4).
Figure 4. Pitfield Project Location showing the Mid-West Region Infrastructure and Services
Competent Person Statement
The technical information in this report that relates to the Pitfield Project has been compiled by Mr Andrew Faragher, an employee of Empire Metals Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Empire. Mr Faragher is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Faragher has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr Faragher consents to the inclusion in this release of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure
Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, as incorporated into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, until the release of this announcement.
**ENDS**
For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk or contact:
About Empire Metals Limited
Empire Metals is an AIM-listed and OTCQB-traded exploration and resource development company (LON: EEE) with a primary focus on developing Pitfield, an emerging giant titanium project in Western Australia.
The high-grade titanium discovery at Pitfield is of unprecedented scale, with airborne surveys identifying a massive, coincident gravity and magnetics anomaly extending over 40km by 8km by 5km deep. Drill results have indicated excellent continuity in grades and consistency of the mineralised beds and confirm that the sandstone beds hold the higher-grade titanium dioxide (TiO₂) values within the interbedded succession of sandstones, siltstones and conglomerates. The Company is focused on two key prospects (Cosgrove and Thomas), which have been identified as having thick, high-grade, near-surface, bedded TiO₂ mineralisation, each being over 7km in strike length.
An Exploration Target* for Pitfield was declared in 2024, covering the Thomas and Cosgrove mineral prospects, and was estimated to contain between 26.4 to 32.2 billion tonnes with a grade range of 4.5 to 5.5% TiO2. Included within the total Exploration Target* is a subset that covers the weathered sandstone zone, which extends from surface to an average vertical depth of 30m to 40m and is estimated to contain between 4.0 to 4.9 billion tonnes with a grade range of 4.8 to 5.9% TiO2.
The Exploration Target* covers an area less than 20% of the overall mineral system at Pitfield which demonstrates the potential for significant further upside.
Empire is now accelerating the economic development of Pitfield, with a vision to produce a high-value titanium metal or pigment quality product at Pitfield, to realise the full value potential of this exceptional deposit.
The Company also has two further exploration projects in Australia; the Eclipse Project and the Walton Project in Western Australia, in addition to three precious metals projects located in a historically high-grade gold producing region of Austria.
*The potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.
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