Titan Mining Corporation (TSX: TI) (“
Titan” or the
"
Company") is pleased to announce the Phase III
metallurgy results conducted at SGS Lakefield for the Kilbourne
graphite project. The Company is also excited to be outlining
parameters of a processing facility for Kilbourne natural graphite
mineralized material (the “
Facility”), to be
co-located with the Company’s existing zinc operations at Empire
State Mines (“
ESM”). This initiative aims to
fast-track development of Kilbourne and make ESM the first end to
end producer of natural flake graphite in the United States since
the 1950s.
Highlights:
- Process optimization
completed indicating favorable characteristics of material with low
impurities, high recoveries, final concentrate of 98.8% C(t) and
saleable product
- Simplified process sheet
developed which provides potential synergies with existing ESM mill
circuit
- Size fraction analysis
shows good flake size distribution with the potential to deliver to
available US domestic segments and value-added products. Ability to
meaningfully meet current US natural graphite demands
- Engineering for the
Facility is in final stages of completion targeting 1,000-1,200t
per annum of concentrate production for product qualification and
to be used as path towards commercialization. The Facility aims for
modular expansion to baseline production of 40,000t per annum with
further growth capability
- Goal to make ESM the first
end to end producer of natural flake graphite in the USA with
target Facility start in 2025. Significant ability to leverage
existing ESM infrastructure and work force lowering capital and
operating costs
- Key product group
applications identified ranging from core areas such as
semiconductors, batteries (CSPG anodes), military specification
graphite and battery storage to mainstream applications such as
lubricants, polymers and coatings
Don Taylor, CEO of Titan commented: “We are
pleased with the Phase III test results demonstrating potential
closed-circuit recoveries of 90%+ and high-grade concentrate
product from Kilbourne. The current resource outlined at Kilbourne
represents only 8,300 ft of strike length tested of a total strike
length of 25,000 ft. Kilbourne has significant resource expansion
potential to meet the demands of US natural flake graphite over a
long- term period and we are excited to be moving towards the next
phase of development”.
Rita Adiani, President of Titan commented: “The
Phase III test results and size fraction analysis provides us with
useful product data as we commence scoping out pricing and relevant
US customer base for Kilbourne graphite. The Facility is the first
step towards ESM becoming the first end to end producer of natural
flake graphite in the United States and having the ability to
secure supply chain resilience for our core industries such as
semiconductors, military spec graphite and batteries whilst having
domestic resources to support industrial uses which currently rely
fully on imports. We are excited by current developments as we
surface more shareholder value through organic growth”.
Phase III Metallurgy Results and
Proposed Flow Sheet
A process optimization program was recently
completed at SGS Minerals in Lakefield, Ontario. The samples that
were used for the optimization program included a total of 118
mineralized intervals from drill holes KX23-001, KX24-002,
KX24-003, and KX24-004. The drill core intervals were divided to
generate four (4) variability composites, namely North Shallow,
North Deep, South Shallow, and South Deep. Further, sub-samples of
all 118 drill core intervals were combined to produce a Master
composite for optimization testing. Once optimization testing was
completed, the variability samples were subjected to the optimized
flowsheet and conditions to confirm its robustness.
Total grade and graphitic head grade for the
Master composite and the four variability composites are presented
in Table 1. Graphitic carbon grades were only slightly lower than
total carbon grades, which suggests low concentrations of organic
and carbonate carbon in the samples.
Table 1: Head Grades of Master and
Variability Composites
Composite |
Assays (%) |
C(t) |
C(g) |
Master |
3.48 |
3.14 |
North Shallow |
3.38 |
3.21 |
South Shallow |
3.51 |
3.28 |
North Deep |
2.87 |
2.68 |
South Deep |
3.57 |
3.25 |
Notes: C(t): Total Carbon C(g): Graphitic
Carbon
A total of eight (8) cleaner flotation tests
were completed. Process variables that were evaluated included
flash/rougher circuit configuration, primary grind size, regrind
technologies and the number of regrind steps. A standard reagent
suite consisting of diesel and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) was
chosen since it was effective in previous programs.
The optimization program produced the flowsheet
that is depicted in Figure 1. The flowsheet comprised a primary
grind to P80 = 100 microns followed by rougher flotation. The
rougher concentrate is upgraded in a cleaning circuit consisting of
one polishing mill and three stirred media mills (SMM) followed by
cleaner flotation after each regrind step. The final concentrate is
dewatered, dried, and then bagged.
Figure 1: Simplified Facility
Flowsheet
The last master composite test with the
optimized conditions (Test F8) produced a final concentrate of
98.8% C(t) at an open circuit graphite recovery of 87.3%. This
recovery is expected to increase during commercial operation since
intermediate tailings streams are cycled rather than being treated
as final tailings. A closed-circuit graphite recovery of 90-91% is
projected based on the graphite losses to intermediate tailings
streams.
The four variability flotation tests produced
concentrate grades between 97.6% C(t) for the North Shallow and
99.3% C(t) for the South Deep composite. The open circuit graphite
recovery ranged between 82.3% for the North Shallow composite and
92.4% for the North Deep composite. These results are well aligned
with the Master composite and confirm the consistent metallurgical
performance of the Kilbourne graphite mineralization and the
robustness of the proposed flowsheet and conditions.
The final concentrates were submitted for a size
fraction analysis to quantify the flake size distribution and total
carbon grade profile. The results are summarized in Table 2.
Table 2: Size Fraction Analysis of Final
Concentrate of the Master and Variability Composites
Product Size(Mesh) |
Master |
North Shallow |
North Deep |
South Shallow |
South Deep |
Mass (%) |
% C(t) |
Mass (%) |
% C(t) |
Mass (%) |
% C(t) |
Mass (%) |
% C(t) |
Mass (%) |
% C(t) |
100 |
8.2 |
98.1 |
2.2 |
95.1 |
8.3 |
96.9 |
3.8 |
96.5 |
9.2 |
97.4 |
150 |
11.7 |
98.9 |
6.9 |
97.9 |
12.4 |
99.2 |
9.5 |
99.7 |
10.1 |
99.4 |
200 |
26.0 |
99.1 |
22.7 |
97.8 |
24.3 |
99.0 |
24.2 |
98.2 |
22.1 |
99.3 |
-200 |
54.1 |
99.2 |
68.2 |
97.7 |
55.1 |
99.1 |
62.5 |
98.6 |
58.6 |
99.3 |
The Facility
Titan is in the final phases of completing
engineering in respect of the Facility. The Facility is expected to
produce 1,000-1,200t per annum of graphite concentrate and aims for
modular expansion to baseline production of 40,000t per annum with
further growth capability. The Facility will be fed Kilbourne
mineralized material and will be co-located in the ESM mill area.
It will benefit from leveraging personnel and infrastructure from
the existing zinc ESM mill operations thereby reducing capital and
operating costs.
The key objectives of the commercial
demonstration facility are:
- Product qualification: Graphite concentrate
being produced on a continuous basis will be used towards product
qualification across various industry segments (as outlined below)
and will form the basis for offtake discussions with potential US
customers.
- Path to full scale commercialization: The
Facility is the first step towards obtaining product at full run
time which will allow ESM to establish customer demand and pricing
thresholds. Subject to available product demand and funding, ESM is
targeting a modular expansion to a 40,000t per annum facility.
As of 2024, the global market for natural flake
graphite across the product segments the Company is targeting, was
assessed to be 1.7 mt per annum. ESM is therefore well positioned
to service global demands of natural flake graphite.
Based on available operating cost data for the
Facility and pricing metrics across various targeted product
groups, ESM is targeting a 40-45% operating margin for its full
production facility of 40,000t per annum (based on an average sales
price of US$2350/t).
Equipment for the Facility together with
associated installation costs and working capital is likely to cost
US$6.0-7.5 million. Titan has commenced work on various funding
initiatives for this project.
Kilbourne Graphite Market
Applications
The market applications for natural flake
graphite production from the Facility comprise of the below key
product groups. Strategic introduction timelines will be
coordinated with the Facility production ramp up and customer
qualifications. Micronized STD Purity (95.0% LOI MIN) products are
planned to expand progressive qualifications and add to revenues
and margins. Future high purity (99.9% LOI MIN) micronized graphite
products are anticipated to further enhance both revenues and
margins to the Company targeting primary and secondary batteries,
medical device, military specifications (“MIL-SPEC”) and nuclear
grade graphite.
Initial concentrate product applications from
the facility will target thermal management, engineered products
and lubricants followed by high-purity engineered products
(including nuclear graphite) and energy storage products (battery-
CSPG anode grades and primary alkaline).
Key customers for Micronized STD Purity graphite
are expected to comprise producers of the following:
- Engineered
Products: Ceramics, Friction, Carbon Brush, Seals,
Bearings, Powdered Metal, Semiconductor –Siliconized Graphite
Powders, MIL-SPEC Friction; SiC Armor, SiC Optics (SiC Grain Growth
Surface Management)
- Lubricants /
Dispersions: Grease, Dry Lubricants, HMF Dispersions,
Nuclear Lubricants, MIL-SPEC
- Polymers, Plastics,
Rubber: Automotive, Seals, Adhesives
- Energy Storage:
Conductive Coatings, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC / Pore Former
Ceramic Surface)
Quality Assurance and Quality
Control
All work and chemical analysis was conducted at
SGS Lakefield in Canada, which is independent of the Company. This
laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited, which ensures that the
laboratory produces high-quality, accurate, and timely results.
Repeat analyses of flotation products were completed as per the
internal SGS QA/QC protocol. The QP is not aware of any factors
that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the
data referred to herein.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information in this
news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Oliver Peters, a
Principal Metallurgist and President of Metpro Management Inc.,
with over 25 years of mineral processing experience. He is a
Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101 and is independent
of the Company. Mr. Peters is satisfied that the metallurgical
testing procedures and associated assay methods used are standard
industry operating procedures and methodologies. He has reviewed,
approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this
news release, including core sampling, analytical and test data
underlying the technical information.
About Titan Mining
Corporation
Titan is an Augusta Group company which produces
zinc concentrate at its 100%-owned Empire State Mine located in New
York state. The Company is focused on value creation and operating
excellence, with a strong commitment to developing critical mineral
assets that enhance the security of the U.S. supply chain. For more
information on the Company, please visit our website
at www.titanminingcorp.com.
Contact
For further information, please contact: Rita
Adiani, President. Email: radiani@titanminingcorp.com, Investor
Relations: Email: info@titanminingcorp.com
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements and information contained in
this new release constitute "forward-looking statements", and
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These
statements appear in a number of places in this news release and
include statements regarding our intent, or the beliefs or current
expectations of our officers and directors, including the
parameters of the Facility and that it will be co-located with the
Company’s existing zinc operations at ESM; this initiative aims to
fast-track development of Kilbourne and make ESM the first end to
end producer of natural flake graphite in the United States since
the 1950s; that the graphite produced will be saleable; that there
will be potential synergies with the existing ESM mill circuit; the
potential to deliver to available US domestic segments and
value-added products; ability to meaningfully meet current US
natural graphite demands; that the Facility is targeting
1,000-1,200t per annum of concentrate production for product
qualification and to be used as path towards commercialization; the
Facility aims for modular expansion to baseline production of
40,000t per annum with further growth capability; goal to make ESM
the first end to end producer of natural flake graphite in the USA
with target Facility start in 2025; significant ability to leverage
existing ESM infrastructure and work force lowering capital and
operating costs; the key product group applications for graphite
produced at the Kilbourne project; potential closed-circuit
recoveries of 90%+ and high-grade concentrate product from
Kilbourne; Kilbourne has significant resource expansion potential
to meet the demands of US natural flake graphite over a long-term
period; that we will move to the next phase of development; that we
are surfacing more shareholder value through organic growth; the
recovery is expected to increase during commercial operation since
intermediate tailings streams are cycled rather than being treated
as final tailings; a closed-circuit graphite recovery of 90-91% is
projected based on the graphite losses to intermediate tailings
streams; Graphite concentrate being produced on a continuous basis
will be used towards product qualification across various industry
segments and will form the basis for offtake discussions with
potential US customers; the Facility is the first step towards
obtaining product at full run time which will allow ESM to
establish customer demand and pricing thresholds. Subject to
available product demand and funding; ESM is therefore well
positioned to service global demands of natural flake graphite; ESM
is targeting a 40-45% operating margin for its full production
facility of 40,000t per annum (based on an average sales price of
US$2350/t); equipment for the Facility together with associated
installation costs and working capital is likely to cost US$6.0-7.5
million; Strategic introduction timelines will be coordinated with
the Facility production ramp up and customer qualifications;
initial concentrate product applications from the facility will
target thermal management, engineered products and lubricants
followed by high-purity engineered products (including nuclear
graphite) and energy storage products (battery- CSPG anode grades
and primary alkaline); and the composition of the key customers for
Micronized STD Purity graphite. When used in this news release
words such as “to be”, "aim", "will", "planned", "expected",
"potential", "target", "goal" and similar expressions are intended
to identify these forward-looking statements. Although the Company
believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should
not be placed on forward-looking statements since the Company can
give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause actual results or events to vary
materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking
statements, including risks relating to cost increases for capital
and operating costs; risks of shortages and fluctuating costs of
equipment or supplies; risks relating to fluctuations in the price
of zinc and graphite; the inherently hazardous nature of
mining-related activities; potential effects on our operations of
environmental regulations in New York State; risks due to legal
proceedings; risks related to operation of mining projects
generally and the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified
in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities
regulators. Such forward-looking statements are based on various
assumptions, including assumptions made with regard to our
forecasts and expected cash flows; our projected capital and
operating costs; our expectations regarding mining and
metallurgical recoveries; mine life and production rates; that laws
or regulations impacting mining activities will remain consistent;
our approved business plans, our mineral resource estimates and
results of our economic studies at ESM; our experience with
regulators; political and social support of the mining industry in
New York State; our experience and knowledge of the New York State
mining industry and our expectations of economic conditions and the
price of zinc; the ability to advance exploration efforts at ESM;
the results of such exploration efforts; the ability to secure
adequate financing (as needed); the Company maintaining its current
strategy and objectives; and the Company’s ability to achieve its
growth objectives. While the Company considers these assumptions to
be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may
prove to be incorrect. Except as required by applicable law, we
assume no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results
of any change to any forward-looking statement contained herein to
reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in
assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the
forward-looking statements. If we update any one or more
forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we
will make additional updates with respect to those or other
forward-looking statements. You should not place undue importance
on forward-looking statements and should not rely upon these
statements as of any other date. All forward-looking statements
contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their
entirety by this cautionary statement.
A figure accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/197328a5-b5d5-418c-8e0c-0fe45da228b5
Titan Mining (TSX:TI)
過去 株価チャート
から 12 2024 まで 1 2025
Titan Mining (TSX:TI)
過去 株価チャート
から 1 2024 まで 1 2025