Empire Metals unveils 8.2-billion-tonne titanium resource at Pitfield, ranked world's largest
2026-08-20 11:28:04 [Print]
Empire Metals has unveiled an upgraded mineral resource estimate for its Pitfield project in Western Australia, positioning the deposit as the world's largest titanium resource.
The updated estimate totals 8.16 billion tonnes at an average grade of 4.3% titanium dioxide (TiO2), containing 349 million tonnes of TiO2 across the Thomas and Cosgrove deposits. The new assessment also marks the first measured resource for Pitfield, enhancing project confidence as Empire advances its mine planning and economic evaluation work.
Pitfield now comprises:
Measured resources: 374 million tonnes at 5.8% TiO2, containing 21.6 million tonnes.
Indicated resources: 3.65 billion tonnes at 4.3% TiO2, containing 154 million tonnes.
Inferred resources: 4.2 billion tonnes at 4.1% TiO2, containing 173 million tonnes.
At the Thomas deposit, 43% of the resource is classified as measured and indicated, with the remainder inferred. At Cosgrove, 51% is indicated, and the balance is inferred.
Empire envisions a conventional processing operation that would produce high-purity titanium dioxide for pigment and metal feedstock applications, targeting global markets. The project benefits from existing rail connections to ports serving key regions including Asia, the United States, Europe, and Saudi Arabia.
The updated estimate totals 8.16 billion tonnes at an average grade of 4.3% titanium dioxide (TiO2), containing 349 million tonnes of TiO2 across the Thomas and Cosgrove deposits. The new assessment also marks the first measured resource for Pitfield, enhancing project confidence as Empire advances its mine planning and economic evaluation work.
Pitfield now comprises:
Measured resources: 374 million tonnes at 5.8% TiO2, containing 21.6 million tonnes.
Indicated resources: 3.65 billion tonnes at 4.3% TiO2, containing 154 million tonnes.
Inferred resources: 4.2 billion tonnes at 4.1% TiO2, containing 173 million tonnes.
At the Thomas deposit, 43% of the resource is classified as measured and indicated, with the remainder inferred. At Cosgrove, 51% is indicated, and the balance is inferred.
Empire envisions a conventional processing operation that would produce high-purity titanium dioxide for pigment and metal feedstock applications, targeting global markets. The project benefits from existing rail connections to ports serving key regions including Asia, the United States, Europe, and Saudi Arabia.
Ferro-titanium 70%min IW Rotterdam
Unit:USD/kg Ti
China titanium dioxide producers' operating rate statistics by province by month
Unit: %
