Member Info for AGEOS

Continuation:

Licence area E70/5876, maybe 30%+ of the total area held, borders the former licence, mainly to the east but extends also both north and south with only three holes drilled to the south of Thomas in early 2024. Exploratory holes in this licence area appear to be confined to eastward extensions of the “low magnetic and low variable conductivity anomaly” which aerial survey identified in the Mount Scratch Siltstone mainly east of the Thomas MRE and east of the area between Cosgrove and north to Mount Scratch. As such the probability favours further extensions of the TiO2 resource in anatase/rutile saprolite and/or titanite bedrock in these areas. As the licence extends eastwards across the Darling Fault it includes extensive areas beyond the Yandanooka Basin sequence and into an entirely different mineralogical regime, that of the Yilgarn Craton..

Licence area E70/6320 acquired in 2022 and maybe 15% of the total area held, is north of the previous two and subject to 10 exploratory holes 4 of which border with the previous licence. One is shown on or just east of the Darling Fault. As this single hole appears to coincide with an isolated outcrop of the Yilgarn Craton Metamorphic Unit and the other holes with rocks of Permian age according to geological mapping, perhaps proximity to the SR Resources Three Springs Nickel-Copper-PGE [Platinum Group Elements] Project is of relevance.

Licence area E70/6323 also acquired in 2022 and around 25% of the total area held, is to the south and continues inclusion of the Darling Fault for a further 20km adjacent to the newly recognised West Yilgarn Ni-Cu-PGE mineralogical province and to Chalice Mining's Barrabarra Project. The only exploratory holes planned are 3, just south of Three Springs and NE of the Thomas MRE, and the most easterly potential extension of the TiO2 resource. Possibly included to satisfy minimum requirements of work within the initial five years, as is necessary to comply with regulations for retention of the licence.

Whilst there is a lot to assimilate here, for those who wish to understand the broader context, my post of 01.10.2023 includes [para 3-7] regional context whilst that of 17.03.2024 entitled “Pitfield Mineral Province” describes the probable metallogenesis, ie sequence of mineralisation events, of the Pitfield Mineral Province. As that includes cobalt, chromium, nickel and zinc, all not previously mentioned, the region may yet have further surprises in store, surprises which could begin to emerge from this current drilling campaign.

AGEOS.

The February 17th RNS announcing details of a major drilling campaign at Pitfield includes in Fig 1 concentrations of drill locations specifically intended to enhance and substantially increase the combined Thomas/Cosgrove MRE. It also includes widespread distribution of exploratory drill locations intended, as stated [page 2], to “provide a much better understanding of the size of the system [meaning , the Ti-rich system] …..and extend the area explored by drilling to 60-70% of the currently identified area of mineralisation “ [meaning, the total hydrothermal system]. That implies that 30-40% of the currently identified area of the Yandanooka Mineralised System lies beyond the area included in this current drilling campaign, a fact of which, most investors will probably be unaware. In addition, by superimposing the drill locations onto a map of the inferred subsurface geology some interesting exploratory possibilities beyond that of TiO2 enhancement arise. These are best described within the context of each of the four licence areas which comprise Pitfield, as follows.

Licence area E70/5465, approximately 25% of the total held under licence and forming the western border of Pitfield, includes both the Thomas and Cosgrove TiO2 MRE areas as currently defined. Their N-S alignment is due to derivation from the similarly oriented bedrock of the underlying Mount Scratch Siltstone/Beaconsfield Conglomerate/Enokurra Sandstone sequence, which contains the titanite enriched sandstones from which the anatase/rutile enriched saprolite originates. Hence resource extension drilling is largely concentrated on that N-S axis. However, there is a concentration of 20 or so exploratory holes, west of the Cosgrove MRE ,which appears to coincide with a 7km N-S copper/silver anomaly discovered by CRA [ Conzinc Riotinto Australia ] in 1993 and which is thought to align with the contact between red-bed source rocks and overlying Mount Scratch Siltstones, higher in the stratigraphic sequence than the nearby historic Arrino and Baxter copper mines. . Also, to the west of the Thomas MRE there are numerous exploratory holes planned which appear to extend onto the Arrowsmith Sandstone and the underlying Mulingarra Gneiss, a southerly continuation of the sequence which does host the Arrino and Baxter mines. Other exploratory holes, more liberally spaced, appear to target the magnetic and conductivity anomaly northwards from Cosgrove, presumably with TiO2 the highest probability.

TBC

A Thread of approximately 40 posts placed over the weekend was removed by LSE monitors as the title and some of the contents posted by the originator were deemed to potentially contravene the Defamation Act as amended 2013. Failure to have done so would have left LSE legally vulnerable as defined under para 5 of the amended Act.

To the perpetrator; heed the implied legal advice, it comes free of charge.

As an addendum to yesterdays post, I should add that analysis of the diamond drill cores from Thomas will be shared and probably conducted in close cooperation with, Professor Katy Evans of Curtin University, Perth. As head of the Curtin Experimental Geochemistry Laboratory she is lead researcher in a team financed by the Australian Government under its RTCM [Resources, Technology &Critical Minerals] $100m Trailblazer initiative to “Determine the source, mobilisation and deposition of titanium at Pitfield and to study the distribution and morphology of titanium-bearing mineral phases and the relationship between titanium grades and host rock lithology.” The research objective is further defined as contributing to “Improved productive exploration, to enhance ore targeting and to mitigate exploration risk.”

This is not research intended to produce knowledge alone, it is research with a definite economic and industrial objective of potential national significance in mind. The RTCM scheme is defined as being “Of national significance to Australia's future security and economic growth.” and Empire is listed alongside Newmont, Goldfields, Glencore and AngloGold Ashanti with regard to critical minerals.

NB. I see 8 posts and 13 green boxes so far today.

AGEOS

A small contribution compared to your admirable efforts Manlord, but my industry contacts suggest there will be much to comment on as this year unfolds so thought it timely to resume output.

As an RNS relating to the diamond drilling at the Thomas resource is anticipated soon, it is perhaps appropriate to emphasise that this is likely to be more of a geotechnical report detailing the petrography and mineralogical characteristics of the rocks rather than any reassessment of the MRE in quantitative terms as some may be hoping for. Five of the holes are closely grouped, either within or adjacent to, the core area previously densely drilled and six are more widely spaced but again within 200m maximum of previous AC & RC drillholes, so all are well within the existing Thomas MRE zone. With an average depth of around 100m all cores will be predominantly of saprolite [weathered ore], variously extending through the underlying transition zone and possibly into the unweathered titanite bearing bedrock.

Diamond drilled cores allow for petrographic, Electron Microprobe BSE Imaging and TIMA [Tescan Integrated Mineral Analyzer] analyses, which will contribute to an understanding of the hydrothermal events leading to the mineralogical enrichment of the Yandanooka Basin of which Thomas and Cosgrove are only part. That will enlarge the regional geological context within which a significantly increased TiO2 resource will, as anticipated from the current expanded drilling campaign, be defined. It will also allow an enhanced assessment of the titanite-rich bedrock as a potential additional resource. It is only in those respects that the DD results will contribute to MRE expansion.

A geotechnical report of this kind is likely to be released as an optional supplement to a summary RNS possibly with an update on advances in associated metallurgical processing or anticipated product development.

AGEOS

Thanks to JT for highlighting the Airbus Ti 3D printing article. It prompts me to remind those interested of the related initiatives already in play regarding possible EEE involvement in the supply side for AM [Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing] industry in Australia. Aspects of this are outlined in the concluding five sections of my post of 14.09.2025 re “Pitfield Titanium Products”, including the R & D at CSIRO [formerly COSIRA] Lab22 into AM, the TiRO process, wire-AM production, and the current RMIT University/CSIRO/AM Industry, new Ti-alloy R & D initiatives, all of which will be within the product evaluations being undertaken by EEE. Access to that information is via my post-history.

AGEOS

Doc83 In acknowledgement of your enquiry of 31st October I've not updated my assessment of EEE anywhere publicly, since my last post here on 14th September. That and previous posts were in my view sufficiently detailed and indicative of what the MRE would confirm as to require no further comment from me on its publication. The MRE was surely self explanatory, although inevitably open to every misinterpretation that the perfidious investment fraternity active on this and comparable forums can invent. I am also reluctant to add any further assessments as the complete absence of any meaningful references to the mass of data I have previously posted implies that it is either of limited interest or is beyond the comprehension of most who frequent this site.

Lastly, my thanks to you and others who have expressed appreciation of my past contributions to this forum and be reassured that my cumulative investment interests in EEE remain very substantial and long term.

AGEOS

Ctd

All these developments and initiatives are not only backed by considerable Government funding, such as the $100 million RTCM [Resources, Technology & Critical Minerals] Trailblazer initiative [ref my post of 05.08.2025] but also by several significant industry/government partnerships especially in the aerospace, military and marine sectors which would be potential major clients for EEE products. The Boeing Research & Technology Australia [BR&T-A] subsidiary of Boeing Aerostructures, part of the Brisbane Technology Centre, University of Queensland, has, for example collaborated with COSIRA to the tune of $AUD200million in R & D including Additive Manufacturing [AM] employing Ti-alloys in its aerospace manufacturing. Lockheed Martin Australia, via its Supply Chain Program, utilizes around $2 billion worth of components annually for its F-35 fighter jets from more than 50 Australian companies, many increasingly using AM Ti-alloy manufacturing technologies. Likewise at BAE Systems Australia which has around 1400 Australian companies in its supply chain, many of which will be in line to supply metal components for the huge AUKUS Submarine and GCAP [Global Combat Air Program] Fighter building contracts.

I could continue by explaining the extent to which these industry requirements for specialist Ti-alloys may influence EEE decisions regarding its refining processes but as this would extend substantially what is already an excessively lengthy contribution, I will mention one example only to illustrate potential in this fast developing field. As recently as this July, 2025, research engineers at RMIT University, Melbourne disclosed the patenting of a new type of Ti-alloy for AM manufacturing, which is not only a third cheaper to produce than commonly used alternatives but is also superior in strength and performance tests compared with Ti-6Al-4V, the alloy which currently commands 75-85% of the global market. The key researchers in this development are liaising with COSIRA and representatives of the Australian aerospace, automotive and MedTech industries to bring it to market. The Ti-alloy will be produced by an Australian partner who will require a local and long-term supplier of high grade TiO2 for which EEE would be in pole position.

So in short, EEE has factored in 4-6 months to evaluate all of these markets as potential clients for its products and in assessing the specifications required will acquire the data necessary for determining the refining processes most suitable for maximising the value of its Pitfield TiO2 ore resource. To repeat what SB stated in his Crux interview “understanding the product end of the Titanium Process first was a great strategic decision” a fact to be remembered when post MRE, impatient investors begin scare-mongering about lack of progress in announcing plans for refining and completion of the processing flowsheet.

AGEOS.

Ctd

Within that context EEE strategic planning will require an assessment of the potential demand for Ti metal from across Australian industry as first priority. In that regard liaison with the Government and especially with COSIRA [Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation] an Australian Government agency with 6500 staff at over 50 sites in Australia, and subsidiaries in the USA and France, will greatly favour EEE and the Pitfield Project. COSIRA has developed the TiRO process for the continuous production of titanium powder to a particle size of around 250um [micron] and the potential for less than 100um. TiRO uses the same chemical reactions as the costly Kroll process [the industry standard for sponge production] but in a fluidized bed reactor in which gas-solid fluidization takes place, which considerably increases the reaction rate and reduces both operating and capital costs. This and other powders can be further processed by a patented hot rolling densification process to fabricate titanium strip and sheeting. COSIRA has also developed and patented a process for the manufacture of low cost titanium wire from titanium particulates [powders, granules etc] suitable for the highly lucrative wire-AM market [AM is Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing]. All these processes will be evaluated as possible components of the comprehensive development program for the Pitfield TiO2 resource.

COSIRA's Additive Manufacturing R & D centre is Lab22 in Clayton, Victoria, established in 2015 and now the centre of a thriving industry redefining manufacturing in Australia. The AM process enables complex metal components, particularly of titanium alloys, to be constructed from Ti powder, fused together layer by layer, to computer designed and controlled format. Most of the manufacturing to date has been of small-scale components for the aerospace, satellite, automotive, biomedical and marine industries but R & D is moving toward much larger, metre-scale sized structures up to 3m x 1.5m and over 1000kg in weight and employing different combinations of Ti-alloys. The technology is also being adapted for “on-site” repair and replacement of parts which would be highly cost effective in reducing disruption to productivity in industry.

TBC

Ctd

Moving on to the use of TiO2 for Ti-sponge production as a precursor for Ti metal, principally Ti alloy formulations, global production is estimated to be around 7% of total global TiO2 usage according to the Oregon Group report of May 2025. A US Geol Soc report of 2024 estimated sponge production to be China 67%, Japan 18%, Russia 6%, Kazakhstan 4.3%, Saudi Arabia 3.7% and the rest of the world 0.2%. As far as I'm aware none is produced in Australia. Claims that Perth-based Strategic Minerals Ltd is a “producer and supplier of high-grade Ti sponge” and that Iluka Resources is “involved in the production of sponge” stated in substantial July 2025 reports from the “AI Research Network” appear to be mistaken as the former company expresses this as aspirational only and of the latter I am unaware of any evidence of involvement whatever. Tronox produces synthetic rutile from ilmenite at its Chandala Plant 60km north of Perth, half of which goes to the Kwinana Plant for conversion to TiO2 pigment and half for export in bulk, so none goes for Kroll Processing into Ti-sponge, in Australia at least.

All Australian use of Ti-sponge or equivalents and of metal-bar, ingots and slabs appears to be from imports, as reported by WITS [World Integrated Trade Solutions] a subsidiary of the World Bank. This reported total imports to Australia in 2023 of such items as having a trade value of US$30.7million and quantity of 392,782kg. Of that total the USA supplied $14.28m value and 105,000kg weight implying mainly ingots and slabs plus finished Ti metal components; China supplied $11.0m value, & 223,365kg implying mainly Ti-sponge and equivalent; and the balance was comprised of minor quantities from South Africa, UK, Italy, Germany and Japan. Australian imports of Ti sponge and/or metal from VSMPO-AVISMA Corp of Russia appear to have been phased out completely in compliance with sanctions.

TBC

Ctd

Of the emergent technologies, photocatalysis, the electrochemical reaction which induces TiO2 to release free radicals that decompose pollutants and inactivate micro-organisms, is the basis of a range of new and fast developing industries for which EEE will want to formulate suitable products.

For application in self-cleaning paints and cements which comply with global regulatory approvals, TiO2 products require to be of greater than 99% concentration, of very high purity and to have a surface area of 90-300m2/g which demands both vary high surface/volume ratio of individual particles and extremely fine particle size, usually in the nanoparticle range of less than 100.0nm for which the anatase crystal form is superior to rutile.

For applications to remove nitrous oxides from air, in cities and tunnels for example, by photocatalytic conversion to soluble nitrate salts which can be removed by rainfall or hosing, TiO2 formulations usually have additives such as tungsten trioxide or silicon dioxide or both. Such formulations usually have a TiO2 concentration of around 95% by weight and a surface area of 90m2/g again usually requiring the anatase crystal phase and within or close to the nanoparticle size range.

Other specialist emergent technologies include 'Advanced Ceramics' requiring properties suitable for applications at temperatures above 1000C, resistance to thermal shock, strong friction and corrosive or oxidising environments. Anatase phase TiO2 as a basis for potassium titanite and aluminium titanite are the formulations most likely required for these technologies. Next generation lithium-ion batteries requiring lithium titanite will demand ultrafine TiO2 of specific crystallinity, purity and particle surface area for the synthesis of lithium titanite, potentially a huge industry, but just one of many such emergent technologies which EEE may consider in assessing future product needs.

TBC

Ctd

For many 'Paint & Coatings' applications it is possible to employ a multipurpose TiO2 pigment product which could also extend to use in some 'Plastics'. Such a product would require high performance optical properties for which the optimum light dispersion specification necessitates a particle size range of 200-300nm [nanometre] and as narrow a size distribution within that range as possible, factors which often determine the rutile or anatase phase preference. This is combined with high durability especially for outdoor and marine applications, and ease of dispersion. Since additives are required for enhanced durability, TiO2 content is usually around 94-95% and the industry norm has favoured the rutile phase produced by a variant of the chloride process due to the predominance of [up until now] ilmenite mineral feedstock. A few products are however derived from variants of the sulphate process. Such is the enormity of variation in specifications across the 'Paint & Coatings' sector that there is demand for a range of TiO2 pigment products, many of a highly specialised nature. Those for the automotive, marine and aerospace industries for example require extreme durability for which very high specification formulation must be met. So it will be interesting to see what breadth of product range EEE opts for in respect of the 'Paint & Coatings' industries.

'Plastics' applications are equally diverse in their technical specification requirements of TiO2 products. The diversity of industrial processes and end-products is huge, including materials such as polyolefin compounds comprised of polyethylene and polypropelene, engineering polymers [polycarbonates] and polyvinal chloride [PVC], with their myriads of products employed in every environment and aspect of modern societies. Some of the special requirements for TiO2 products used in 'plastics' include suitability for high temperature processing, high UV resistance in outdoor environments, water repellent [hydrophobic] properties and high dispersion properties for thin-film applications. Most 'plastics' applications also require special surface treatment capabilities so the TiO2 products must meet high specifications for optical efficiency and chemical resistance. Most TiO2 products for use in the 'plastics' industries have been of the rutile phase derived by the chloride process from ilmenite and only a few from the sulphate process. Again, we await the EEE assessment of product range requirement for this important industry and how it will influence the refining options.

TBC

Ctd

The simplest answer to that question would be “It will take that long and be a continuously expanding process because of the diversity and complexity of markets which also have the potential to spawn many new technologies” and so to be sure of exploiting as many of those markets as possible, the Process Flowsheet must ensure that TiO2 end products meet the specifications of those markets. To illustrate this point the following are a few examples of the TiO2 end-product requirements for some specific industry applications which I have no doubt will be under consideration by EEE and their technical advisors. Some of these examples are included as “Emergent TiO2 technologies” in my 22.06.2025 post of that title, and to which one should refer if unfamiliar with the technology in question.

Firstly however, since the TiO2 pigment industry accounts for at least 80% of global demand for TiO2, [an Oregon Group report of May 2025 rates this as high as 91%] for use as a colouring agent in paints, coatings and plastics, what are the optimum characteristics of end-products for these applications. Requirements vary due to the multitude of methodologies and consequent specifications, but generally both high concentration [up to 96% TiO2 + additives at lowest end; greater than 99% at high end.] and low to absent impurities are necessary. Equally important for many applications is the requirement for the rutile phase in crystal form as this is superior to the anatase form in those optical properties which determine light reflective properties [refractive index etc] and scores higher in industry standards where brightness is important. However, the anatase phase is also employed in many products where applications allow less demanding optical specifications.

TBC

Those who have read my previous posts and more importantly understood them, will be awaiting the impending MRE with the confidence of knowing what this will confirm in respect of the TiO2 mineral resource at the Thomas Prospect in terms of its structural, lithological and mineralogical characteristics, ore tonnages, grades and prospects for economic extraction. There is sufficient data available to support the highly favourable outcomes anticipated for all these aspects of the report. What is less certain are the proportions of the resource which will be given Measured and Indicated status and whether the MRE will extend beyond Thomas to include the known but Inferred resources elsewhere at Pitfield, including the titanite enriched sub-saprolite base-rocks.

If as anticipated, the MRE includes a significant portion in the Measured category, that will automatically be converted to a Proved Ore Reserve whilst the Indicated category converts to a Probable Ore Reserve. This permits under JORC Code, progression to mine planning and underpins continuation of all the other programs and processes which run in parallel as part of the overall project planning and development. Of those parallel programs one of the most important and comprehensive, and which will have been underway for some time, is that of product planning and evaluation, since it is that which will determine the direction and scope of the refining processes.

The 25.08.2025 Crux interview with MD Shaun Bunn was especially informative for the many references to how priority was being given to understanding present and potential future market requirements across the titanium industry, before committing to the refining component of the ore processing flowsheet [see 28.08.2025 RNS fig 1 for Conceptual Process Flowsheet] which determines the Pitfield titanium products. He summarised this at around 29mins into the interview as “understanding the product end of the Titanium Process first was a great strategic decision”, and added at 30.30mins consequently “the process development phase [ie refining, post mineral separation phase] ...will take the next four to six months”....to determine. The purpose of this post is to provide some understanding of those aspects of the present and potential future markets which dictate that time frame for completion of the final Process Flowsheet as many will rightly question why it should take so long.

TBC

Success; it's the 'greater than' symbol which triggers the block so I'll try repeating the whole post sequence again, without that symbol.

Wrong symbol ageos, try again;

Thanks for the suggestions as to how to solve the blockage and I hope I don't have to go to such lengths as you did ML. I'm using the same procedure for posting as used for all previous multiple posts so shouldn't be any problem. No explanation from LSE as yet and probably wont be until tomorrow. In meantime as I suspect it's use of the 'greater than' symbol I'll test it here, at which point this post too will terminate; >99%. If not I will wait for LSE to respond.

LSE appears to be blocking continuation of my post so will abandon attempts until I receive an explanation as to why.

AGEOS

Ctd [Previous post malfunctioned hence repeat]

The simplest answer to that question would be “It will take that long and be a continuously expanding process because of the diversity and complexity of markets which also have the potential to spawn many new technologies” and so to be sure of exploiting as many of those markets as possible, the Process Flowsheet must ensure that TiO2 end products meet the specifications of those markets. To illustrate this point the following are a few examples of the TiO2 end-product requirements for some specific industry applications which I have no doubt will be under consideration by EEE and their technical advisors. Some of these examples are included as “Emergent TiO2 technologies” in my 22.06.2025 post of that title, and to which one should refer if unfamiliar with the technology in question.

Firstly however, since the TiO2 pigment industry accounts for at least 80% of global demand for TiO2, [an Oregon Group report of May 2025 rates this as high as 91%] for use as a colouring agent in paints, coatings and plastics, what are the optimum characteristics of end-products for these applications. Requirements vary due to the multitude of methodologies and consequent specifications, but generally both high concentration [>96% TiO2 + additives at lowest end;