Business drilling campaign

Empire Metals Starts Pitfield Drilling Campaign

Analysis based on 8 articles · First reported Feb 17, 2026 · Last updated Feb 18, 2026

Sentiment

Attention

Articles

Market Impact

Direct

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Market Impact

The commencement of Empire Metals' largest drilling campaign at Pitfield is expected to positively impact the mining sector, particularly for companies involved in titanium resource development. An expanded and more confident Mineral Resource Estimate for Titanium dioxide could signal future supply increases, potentially affecting global titanium markets.

Mining Metals and Mining

Event Summary

Empire Metals has initiated its most extensive drilling campaign to date at the Pitfield titanium project in Australia===Western Australia. This fully funded program involves 754 drill holes, totaling 41,250 meters, and is designed to expand the resource base and enhance confidence in the Mineral Resource Estimates (MRE) at the Thomas and Cosgrove deposits. The company aims to upgrade the MRE at Thomas into Measured and Indicated categories and significantly enlarge the MRE at Cosgrove. The current MRE for Pitfield stands at 2.2 billion tonnes grading 5.1% Titanium dioxide, covering only 20% of the known mineralized footprint. The drilling is expected to conclude by mid-April, with an updated MRE anticipated in Q3 2026 to support ongoing engineering and study work. Shaun Bunn, managing director of Empire Metals, emphasized the campaign's importance for understanding the scale and grade of the Pitfield MRE and increasing confidence levels for future mine design and Ore Reserves.

Key Actions

100 Empire Metals commenced major drilling campaign

90 Empire Metals aims to expand Mineral Resource Estimate

85 Empire Metals expects updated Mineral Resource Estimate in Q3 2026

80 Empire Metals plans 754 drill holes for 41,250 meters

20 Intertek to receive samples for analysis Empire Metals

Entities Involved

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Empire Metals

Empire Metals has commenced its largest drilling campaign to date at the Pitfield titanium project. This fully funded program aims to expand its resource base and upgrade confidence at its Thomas and Cosgrove deposits, which is expected to lead to an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in Q3 2026.

Importance 100 Sentiment 50

cmdt

Titanium dioxide

The drilling campaign by Empire Metals at Pitfield is focused on evaluating and expanding the titanium dioxide mineral system. The project already boasts one of the largest and highest-grade titanium resources globally, with a current Mineral Resource Estimate of 2.2 billion tonnes grading 5.1% TiO₂.

Importance 80 Sentiment 30

per

Shaun Bunn

As the managing director of Empire Metals, Shaun Bunn expressed satisfaction with the commencement of the drilling campaign, highlighting its importance for upgrading the Mineral Resource Estimate and extending the exploration target area at Pitfield.

Importance 70 Sentiment 40

loc

Australia===Western Australia

The Pitfield titanium project, where Empire Metals is conducting its drilling campaign, is located in Australia===Western Australia. This region hosts the project and will be the site of the ongoing exploration and development activities.

Importance 30 Sentiment 10

stock

Intertek

Intertek Analytical Laboratory in Perth will receive all samples from the drilling campaign by the end of April for analysis. This indicates their role in providing analytical services for the project.

Importance 20 Sentiment 10

Relationships

Shaun Bunn related ↔ Empire Metals

Empire Metals related ↔ Intertek

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