Highlights

  • Empire Metals shares down 2.84% to 41.10p today, following a 361% rise over the past year.
  • Metallurgical testing confirms selective titanium recovery with grades above 34% TiO₂ and circa 70% recovery.
  • Non-binding cooperation agreement signed with Mid West Ports Authority; environmental studies advancing.

Empire Metals Limited (LSE:EEE), the AIM-listed and OTCQX-traded exploration and development company, has seen its share price dip 2.84% to 41.10p today, despite a remarkable 361% increase over the past year. The company continues to advance its Pitfield titanium project in Western Australia, with key metallurgical and engineering milestones underway that are expected to support the completion of a Scoping Study later in 2026.

Metallurgical Testing Shows Promising Results

Empire Metals has reported encouraging outcomes from its ongoing metallurgical work. Flotation tests have confirmed selective recovery of titanium minerals into froth flotation concentrates while efficiently rejecting unwanted gangue minerals. The company is also exploring whole-of-ore flotation as an alternative to traditional gravity and flotation methods, achieving concentrate grades above 34% TiO₂ and recovery rates around 70%. This approach simplifies the separation flowsheet while maintaining performance.

In addition, early results from atmospheric sulphuric acid leaching indicate the process can operate at lower temperatures and with simpler equipment compared to previous acid bake-water leach methods. Optimization of product finishing is targeting anatase and rutile pigment products, along with feedstock suitable for titanium metal production.

Port Access and Environmental Progress

The company has executed a non-binding cooperation agreement with the Mid West Ports Authority to facilitate discussions regarding future port access and usage. Environmental studies are progressing, identifying ways to reduce environmental and social impacts, while also streamlining the project’s permitting pathway in Western Australia, a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction.

Q1 2026 Development Focus

Empire Metals plans to complete large-scale metallurgical batch tests by early February, producing mineral concentrates for hydrometallurgical optimization and product characterization. Alternative flowsheet configurations will be assessed during the quarter, comparing capital and operating costs, complexity, product quality, and byproduct potential. Engineering sighter tests and desktop studies, including bulk materials handling, tailings dewatering, and water recycling, will further inform the project’s scoping and design criteria. The goal is to finalize a preferred process flowsheet by the end of Q1 2026, enabling continuous pilot-scale testing.

Market Reaction

Shares of Empire Metals fell 1.20p to 41.10p today, a 2.84% decline, despite the stock having risen 361% over the past 12 months.