Empire Metals (AIM:EEE) has received drill results from the Thomas prospect at the Pitfield Project in Western Australia, which sets itself up to rapidly advance a mine plan, engineering design, and continuous pilot plant testwork.
The drill results, from February to April 2026, confirm the scale and continuity of the weathered central core at Thomas. The core extends over an area of 6.25km2 and to an average depth of 47m in the in-situ weathered zone.
Empire Metals says the results will support a resource upgrade, targeted for Q3 2026, while also providing the basis for future mine planning.
Some of the results include 51m @ 8.79% titanium dioxide; 50m @ 8.29% titanium dioxide; and 48m @ 7.90% titanium dioxide.
Managing Director Shaun Bunn says this was the largest drilling program undertaken to date at Pitfield, and has improved the company’s understanding of the scale, continuity, and titanium grades to be found within the central core.
“We have delineated a substantial block of high-grade mineralisation averaging 47m in thickness with multiple near-surface intercepts at Thomas,” Bunn says.
Drilling comprised 148 aircore holes for 6,282m, as well as 30 reverse circulation holes for 2,988m.
Empire Metals intends to conduct detailed engineering studies by the end of this year, as well as continue development of the titanium dioxide byproducts finishing steps. The company will target coated rutile pigments and titanium sponge metal feedstocks.
Further, continuous metallurgical piloting testwork of the process flowsheet will begin in Q3 2026.
Empire Metals is an explorer and resource developer focused on the commercialisation of the Pitfield Titanium Project. Pitfield has a resource totalling 2.2 billion tonnes @ 5.1% titanium dioxide for 113 million tonnes of contained metal.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Empire Metals
