Empire Metals has completed an integrated metallurgical processing flowsheet for its Pitfield titanium project in Western Australia.
The work confirms the project’s ability to produce high-purity titanium dioxide pigment, along with potential co-products such as alumina and titanium metal feedstock.
Topic Snapshot
- Empire Metals completed a full processing flowsheet for Pitfield
- Target product: 99% titanium dioxide pigment
- Potential co-products include high-grade alumina and titanium feedstock
- Upcoming 12-month pilot plant programme planned
- Focus on lower-cost, lower-emission titanium production route
- Research underway on direct titanium metal production via electrolysis
Flowsheet Supports High-Purity Titanium Dioxide Output
Empire Metals confirmed that bench-scale metallurgical testwork supports a processing route capable of producing 99% titanium dioxide (TiO₂) pigment.
The company says the flowsheet is based on:
- Conventional processing methods
- Favourable ore mineralogy
- Strong infrastructure access in Western Australia
These factors together support a potentially competitive production cost structure.
Co-Product Alumina Enhances Project Economics
A key feature of the flowsheet is the ability to produce high-grade alumina as a by-product.
Empire says this co-product opportunity could:
- Improve overall project economics
- Increase titanium recovery rates
- Reduce reagent consumption
- Lower waste generation
This dual-product approach adds flexibility to the Pitfield development model.
Optional Titanium Metal Feedstock Pathway
Beyond titanium dioxide production, the flowsheet also allows for optional production of titanium metal feedstock.
This positions Pitfield as a potential supplier of:
- Titanium dioxide pigment for industrial use
- Feedstock for titanium sponge metal production
The company highlights this as a strategic advantage in a market dominated by energy-intensive supply sources.
Pilot Programme to Validate Design
Empire Metals will begin a 12-month metallurgical pilot programme to further test and refine the process design.
The programme will focus on:
- Validating plant design parameters
- Optimising processing performance
- Producing product samples for customers
- Supporting future feasibility studies
The pilot phase is a key step toward commercialisation.
Research on Low-Emission Titanium Metal Production
The company has also partnered with Murdoch University’s Extractive Metallurgy Hub.
The research aims to develop a method for producing titanium metal directly from titanium dioxide using molten salt electrolysis.
If successful, this could:
- Lower production costs
- Reduce emissions intensity
- Enable a new downstream titanium production pathway
Pitfield Positioned as Strategic Titanium Source
Empire Metals believes Pitfield could become a significant Western supply source for titanium products.
This is notable because global titanium production is currently dominated by:
- High-energy ilmenite processing routes
- Concentrated supply chains
Pitfield’s alternative processing route could offer a more efficient and diversified supply option.
Company Outlook and Development Path
Empire Metals management says the project is advancing through:
- Process design and scoping
- Ongoing testwork and research
- Pilot-scale validation
The next phase will focus on scaling up operations and confirming commercial viability ahead of feasibility studies.
Closing
The latest results from Empire Metals’ Pitfield titanium project confirm a viable processing route for producing high-purity titanium dioxide and valuable co-products such as alumina and titanium metal feedstock. With pilot-scale testing set to begin, the project is moving closer to demonstrating its potential as a low-cost and lower-emission alternative in the global titanium supply chain.
