Titan Mining Corporation confirmed district-wide germanium enrichment across its 100%-owned Empire State Mines property, establishing the critical mineral as a system-wide characteristic rather than a localized occurrence. Sampling across six underground ore bodies and two historic tailings facilities within the Balmat-Edwards mineral system revealed elevated germanium levels in both primary zinc ore and historic tailings. The company identified priority targets including the Number 4 tailings facility, estimated at 18.8 million short tons, and the Edwards tailings facility, estimated at 4.97 million short tons.

Priority Targets and Sample Results

The characterization program identified significant germanium values at several locations. The Number 4 tailings facility yielded five samples ranging from 18.1 to 31.3 ppm, while the Edwards tailings facility returned two samples ranging from 30.1 to 44.7 ppm. Additionally, the current mineral resource estimate at Mud Pond Main, totaling 600,000 short tons, showed three samples ranging from 4.5 to 85.6 ppm.

Germanium Sample Results by Zone

Program Overview and Next Steps

Titan Mining completed a targeted sampling program to evaluate germanium as a recoverable by-product. Three samples were collected from each of the six underground ore bodies within the zinc Mineral Resource Estimate. Auger sampling collected five samples from the Number 4 Tailings and two samples from the Edwards Tailings. The company stated that current germanium prices are approximately US$6,000/kg, with demand expected to grow from semiconductor, AI, defense, and fiber optic technologies.

The next phase of the program will focus on prioritization based on existing data, mineral deportment and mineralogical studies to identify host mineral phases, and recovery test work to evaluate processing options. Deportment studies are currently underway to determine the most capital-efficient recovery pathway.

Titan Mining Corporation has secured Conditional Selection Notices from the U.S. Army to develop the first commercial graphite purification facility on defense installations, marking a significant step toward reducing American reliance on foreign supply chains. The company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Empire State Mines, was chosen under the Army's Strategic Capital Initiatives program to pursue Enhanced Use Leases at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas and Anniston Army Depot in Alabama. This initiative directly addresses the United States' 100% import reliance on natural flake graphite and challenges China's control over more than 90% of global battery-grade graphite processing capacity.

The awards were issued under U.S. Army RFP No. DACA27-1-26-204 and align with Executive Order 14241, which directs the deployment of domestic mineral processing infrastructure on military bases. Pine Bluff Arsenal, covering approximately 245 acres, is designated as the primary site, while Anniston Army Depot, spanning about 97 acres, will serve as the secondary site. Empire State Mines will design, finance, build, and operate the Kilbourne Graphite Purification Plant to produce Purified Micronized Graphite and Coated Spherical Purified Graphite for defense, energy, and industrial applications.

Project Structure and Terms

The partnership utilizes the Enhanced Use Lease authority under 10 U.S.C. § 2667, allowing the Army to lease underutilized land to private partners for up to 50 years. The U.S. Army retains ownership of the land throughout the lease term, while Empire State Mines bears all costs associated with development, construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning. Instead of cash rent, the company will provide in-kind consideration through infrastructure improvements at the host installations, benefiting military personnel and base operations.

Strategic Implications

Rita Adiani, President & CEO of Titan Mining, emphasized the national security importance of the project, stating that the awards mark a turning point in ending dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains. The facility aims to establish a fully domestic supply chain for critical minerals, which are essential for munitions, missiles, sensors, energy storage, and electric vehicles. The conditional selection represents the first application of the Enhanced Use Lease authority to a critical mineral processing facility, potentially creating a replicable model for future projects across the defense estate.

Negotiations for Business Terms Agreements are currently underway, with construction targeted to commence in H2 2027. All project activities will comply with federal requirements, including Davis-Bacon prevailing wage provisions and Buy American Act requirements. Titan Mining, currently a zinc concentrate producer in upstate New York, positions itself as the only end-to-end producer of natural flake graphite in the United States.