{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Company Interviews","title":"Empire Metals (LON:EEE) - Massive Titanium Target with 150-Year Supply Potential","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1646,"description":"Interview with Shaun Bunn, Managing Director of Empire Metals Ltd.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/empire-metals-loneee-titanium-opportunity-taking-shape-at-pitfield-project-4933Recording date: 12 June 2024Empire Metals, a junior mining company, recently announced exploration targets of approximately 30 billion tons grading 4.5-5% TiO2 at their Pitfield titanium project in Australia. According to Managing Director Shaun Bunn, this represents about 20% of the project's total mineral system and equates to 1.5 billion tons of contained TiO2, enough to theoretically supply current world demand for 150 years.The company believes the project is highly unusual, with mineralization comprised predominantly of titanite (calcium titanium silicate) that has weathered to high-value titanium minerals like rutile and anatase in the oxidized surface zone. They see potential for a low-cost, fully integrated operation to produce finished TiO2 pigment. Significant infill drilling and technical studies would be required to convert these targets to mineral resources or reserves that could support a viable mining operation. The company acknowledges that the unique mineralogy may pose processing challenges. Metallurgical test work to define an economically feasible extraction method is at an early stage. Much more work is needed to assess mining and processing costs, capital requirements, product marketability and overall project economics.Development plans and timelines remain vague at this point. Management aims to complete a mineral resource estimate and processing flowsheet over the next 6-12 months. However, any potential production would likely be many years away, after extensive further drilling, technical studies, permitting, financing and construction.As with any early-stage exploration project, Pitfield carries very high risk for investors. Bold claims of world-class potential should be viewed skeptically without independent verification. The...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/1wv-MFlQAgnm-ca64e5kK4984dZB0os8-HJdRVsI74M/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzEzNTcyLzE2MjM5/NTQyMDctYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}