Titan Mining Announces Strong Kilbourne Graphite Project Economics and Expanded U.S EXIM Support to Accelerate U.S. Graphite Independence
Rhea-AI Summary
Titan Mining (NYSE-A:TII) reported a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Kilbourne Graphite Project with an after-tax NPV(7%) of $513 million, an after-tax IRR of 37%, and a 2.7-year payback. The study models ~40,000 tpa of graphite concentrate (nameplate), representing nearly 50% of current U.S. natural graphite demand, over a 13-year LOM. Initial construction capital is estimated at $156 million with average LOM EBITDA of $125 million. The project is supported by expanded EXIM backing: $5.5 million of non-dilutive MMIA funding for feasibility work and a non-binding $120 million LOI for potential project financing, subject to due diligence. The resource underpinning the study is an Inferred mineral resource of 22.4 Mt at 2.91% Cg. A Feasibility Study is targeted for 2026 with construction start aimed for 2027.
Positive
- After-tax NPV(7%) of $513 million
- After-tax IRR of 37% with 2.7-year payback
- Average production ~40,000 tpa (nearly 50% U.S. demand)
- EXIM support: $5.5M MMIA funding plus $120M non-binding LOI
- Initial CAPEX of $156 million leveraging existing mine infrastructure
- Average LOM EBITDA of $125 million
Negative
- Resource classification is Inferred (22.4 Mt at 2.91% Cg) and is geologically speculative
- LOM OPEX of $886 million (average annual OPEX $68 million)
- Significant further capital required: expansion CAPEX $176M and sustaining CAPEX $100M
- EXIM LOI is non-binding and subject to customary due diligence and approvals
Insights
Robust PEA economics and EXIM support materially de-risk capital and accelerate domestic graphite supply.
The Kilbourne Project Study shows strong standalone economics with an after-tax NPV(7%) of
Key dependencies and risks remain clear and factual: the Mineral Resource is Inferred only, so geological and economic uncertainty persists until feasibility and reserve conversion complete; the study is scoping/P EA‑level and uses specific price and recovery assumptions (e.g., concentrate price and recovery targets) that drive the headline metrics; EXIM support is conditional and the
Concrete items to watch near term are: qualification sales production starting in
Poised to be able to Supply Up to
After-Tax NPV(
GOUVERNEUR, N.Y., Dec. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Titan Mining Corporation (TSX:TI, NYSE-A:TII), (“Titan” or the “Company”) an existing zinc concentrate producer in upstate New York and an emerging natural flake graphite producer (a key component of the broader rare earths and critical minerals ecosystem), today announced positive results from its Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Kilbourne Graphite Project (the “Kilbourne Project Study”) and expanded strategic support from the Export Import Bank of the United States (“EXIM”) under the Make More in America (“MMIA”) initiative.
The Kilbourne Project Study confirms robust economics for the project, with an after-tax NPV(
All dollar amounts are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
Highlights
- Critical Materials Complex: Titan’s Empire State Mines in New York State is evolving into a multi-metal critical materials complex, anchored by zinc and graphite, with germanium testing underway that could further strengthen the site’s role in U.S. defense and semiconductor supply chains.
- Robust Economics: After Tax NPV(
7% ) for the stand-alone Kilbourne Graphite Project of$513 million , post-tax IRR of37% , and 2.7-year payback, confirming Kilbourne to be the highest return graphite project in the USA. - High Margins: Average EBITDA of
$125 million through LOM. Blended EBITDA margins of 58-69% supporting resilient returns across market cycles. - Scale & Impact: Average production of ~40,000 metric tonnes per annum of graphite concentrate, at nameplate capacity, nearly
50% of current U.S demand, from an integrated operation in New York State. - Expanded United States Government partnership:
- EXIM has approved an additional
$5.5 million of non-dilutive funding under MMIA, on similar terms as previously announced, to accelerate resource drilling, metallurgical test work, and engineering work programs for the Feasibility Study. This is the first Feasibility Study for a domestic project funded by EXIM, underscoring the strategic importance of fast-tracking Kilbourne. - EXIM has also issued a
$120 million LOI expected to cover the majority of the construction capital, materially de-risking financing and underscoring the Project’s strategic role in U.S. national security and defense supply chains.
- EXIM has approved an additional
- Capital Efficiency: Initial construction capital of
$156 million , leveraging existing Empire State Mine infrastructure, government financing programs, and cash flow from Titan’s zinc operations to minimize dilution and execution risk. - Product Strategy: Initial output of Concentrate, Micronized Natural Flake Graphite (NFG), and Purified Micronized Graphite (PMG), with transition to Coated Spherical Purified Graphite (CSPG), all critical inputs for industrial, defense and energy sectors.
- Significant Exploration Upside: The Kilbourne Project Study is underpinned by an Inferred Mineral Resource of 22.4 million tons grading
2.91% Cg (653,000 tons contained graphite), based on a1.5% Cg cut-off grade. Significant exploration upside remains, with only30% of the known strike length drilled to date. - Near-Term Production Pathway: Qualification sales production commencing in Q4 2025 with customer qualifications commencing Q1 2026. The demonstration facility significantly de-risks the Kilbourne Project, accelerates time-to-market, and provides early validation of Titan’s downstream processing strategy.
- Fast Tracking Development: Feasibility Study in 2026 with targeted start of construction in 2027.
- Job creation & economic impact: Project expected to create approximately 160 additional permanent positions, establishing a total workforce of over 300 employees across ESM operations in upstate New York, while generating tax revenue and local economic benefits for St. Lawrence County and New York State.
- Zinc operations: Ongoing production from the Empire State Mine provides cash flow stability, with production expected to grow incrementally. Exploration potential across Titan’s land package and operational synergies with the Kilbourne Project further enhance value and reduce execution risk.
John Jovanovic, Export-Import Bank of the United States, said: "This investment demonstrates EXIM's commitment to strengthening domestic supply chains for strategic minerals essential to our national security and economic prosperity. Titan's innovative approach to developing America's first integrated graphite capability in more than 70 years aligns directly with our mission to support U.S. jobs and reduce foreign dependencies in critical sectors."
“The Kilbourne Project Study represents a pivotal milestone in advancing U.S. critical mineral independence,” said Rita Adiani, CEO and President of Titan Mining. “Backed by EXIM’s
Adiani continued, “EXIM’s support is far more than capital—it is validation of Titan’s strategic role in establishing America’s graphite independence. By providing non-dilutive funding at the feasibility stage and confirming project-finance support for construction, EXIM is enabling Titan to move faster while preserving balance-sheet strength. Together with our established zinc operations generating cash flow, we are building a U.S.-anchored critical minerals platform with clear, long-term growth.”
Cautionary Note: The Kilbourne Project Study is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources, considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, and there is no certainty that the Preliminary Economic Assessment will be realized. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Project Summary
The Kilbourne Project hosts a maiden Inferred Mineral Resource of 22.4 M tons grading
Based on the positive Kilbourne Project Study results, Titan will advance the project to feasibility, supported by additional drilling, expanded metallurgical testing, site-specific engineering, and environmental permitting programs. Pilot-scale purification and downstream test work will generate product samples to secure offtake agreements, further de-risking commercialization and positioning Kilbourne as a cornerstone of U.S. graphite supply.
Table 1: Operational Parameters of the Kilbourne Project Study
| Operational Parameters | Value |
| LOM (Life of Mine) | 13 years |
| Nominal annual processing rate | ~1.39 M tonnes |
| Stripping ratio (LOM) | 2.15:1 |
| Average grade (LOM) | |
| Average graphite recovery | ~ |
| Average annual graphite concentrate & value-added production (LOM) | 37,438 tonnes |
Table 2: Economic Highlights of the Kilbourne Project Study
| Economic Highlights | Value | ||
| Pre-tax NPV ( | |||
| After-tax NPV ( | |||
| Pre-tax IRR | |||
| After-tax IRR | |||
| Pre-tax payback | 2.66 years | ||
| After-tax payback | 2.69 years | ||
| Initial CAPEX | |||
| Expansion CAPEX | |||
| Sustaining CAPEX | |||
| LOM OPEX | |||
| Annual OPEX | |||
| OPEX per tonne of salable products: | |||
| STD Purity Flake Concentrate | |||
| STD Purity Micronized Flake Grades | |||
| High Purity Micronized Flake Grades | |||
| CSPG Anode Grades | |||
| Avg. EBITDA | |||
The Project’s post-tax IRR includes the estimated effects of Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credits provided under U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 45X for qualifying anode active material and critical mineral production.
Table 3: Commodity Input Pricing
| Products | Weighted Average Sale Price ($/tonne) |
| STD Purity Flake Concentrate ( | 1,575 |
| STD Purity Micronized Flake Grades ( | 3,770 |
| High Purity Micronized Flake Grades ( | 5,185 |
| CSPG Anode Grades ( | 11,193 |
Pricing assumptions for the Kilbourne Graphite Study are based on North American regional prices, which are higher than global average sales prices (ASP) due to supply chain premiums for non-Chinese material. The Kilbourne Project Study takes into account these premiums for all planned upstream and downstream grades. The FOB Port pricing data is sourced from quarterly reports developed by Lone Star Tech Minerals-USA, based on data points from a wide range of contacts across various markets.
Table 4: Initial, expansion and sustaining capital costs
| Project Area | Total ($K) | Initial costs ($K) | Expansion Costs ($K) | Sustaining Costs ($K) | ||||
| Open Pit Mine | 41,641 | - | - | 41,641 | ||||
| Site Infrastructure and TMF | 46,150 | 27,241 | - | 18,909 | ||||
| Concentrate Plant | 115,922 | 72,610 | - | 43,312 | ||||
| Micronization Plant | 22,362 | 11,497 | 10,865 | - | ||||
| Purification Plant | 13,311 | 5,291 | 8,020 | - | ||||
| CSPG Plant | 99,477 | - | 99,477 | - | ||||
| Closure and Salvage | (4,065 | ) | - | - | (4,065 | ) | ||
| Direct costs | 334,799 | 116,639 | 118,362 | 99,798 | ||||
| Owner's Cost and indirects | 49,939 | 15,792 | 33,900 | 247 | ||||
| Contingency | 47,000 | 23,328 | 23,672 | - | ||||
| Total | 431,738 | 155,759 | 175,934 | 100,045 | ||||
The capital expenditure estimate for the Kilbourne Project Study is based on a scoping-level engineering assessment. Direct costs cover the supply and installation of equipment, including the associated direct installation workforce, as well as costs of buildings and site preparation. Indirect costs include expenses not directly involved in process operations, such as engineering, procurement and construction management services, development studies, legal fees, other temporary contractor services and fees. Sources on capital costs include vendor budget quotations, historical data, similar projects, and factors.
Assumptions: The estimate uses imperial units for mining, site infrastructure, and Concentrate Plant inputs (metric for downstream of the Concentrate Plant); assumes the mining mobile fleet is leased and all mechanical/process equipment is purchased new; bases equipment costs on information and test work available at the time of study; assumes local sourcing of earthworks materials (fill, sand, gravel, crushed rock) and year-round constructability; and notes that totals may vary slightly due to rounding.
Table 5: Project All-in Operating Costs
| Project area | LOM Total | Remaining Concentrate | NFG Micronized | PMG | CSPG | |||||||
| ($K) | ($/t Concentrate) | ($/t Micronized NFG) | ($/t Saleable PMG) | ($/t Saleable CSPG) | ||||||||
| Open Pit | Kilbourne Pit Mining | 183,832 | 378 | 389 | 414 | 563 | ||||||
| Site infrastructure | G&A | 47,077 | 97 | 100 | 106 | 144 | ||||||
| TMF | 11,178 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 34 | |||||||
| Concentrate and Micronization Plants | Concentrate Plant | 239,677 | 492 | 508 | 539 | 734 | ||||||
| Micronization Plant | 75,647 | - | 176 | 186 | 228 | |||||||
| Purification and CSPG Plants | Transport | 21,694 | - | - | 80 | 108 | ||||||
| Purification Plant | 107,222 | - | - | 883 | - | |||||||
| CSPG Plant | 199,610 | - | - | - | 1,801 | |||||||
| Operating Costs | 885,936 | 990 | 1,197 | 2,233 | 3,612 | |||||||
Assumptions: The operating cost estimate assumes a diesel price of
Table 6: Kilbourne Graphite Mineral Resource summary and in situ metal within pit shell
| Classification | Deposit | Cut-off Grade (% Cg) | Tonnage (‘000 Ton) | Grade (% Cg) | Contained Graphite (‘000 Ton) |
| Inferred | Kilbourne | 1.50 | 22,423 | 2.91 | 653 |
- The independent Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource Estimate, as defined by NI 43-101 is Mr. Todd McCracken (PGO 0631) of BBA USA Inc. The effective date of this Mineral Resource Estimate is December 3, 2024.
- Three-dimensional (3D) wireframe models of mineralization were based on the geological interpretation of the logged lithology and sub-domained based on contiguous grade intervals greater than or less than
0.50% Cg defining two mineralized sub-domains. - Geological and block models for the Mineral Resource Estimate used data from a total of 45 surface diamond drill holes (core) and 1 surface channel sample. The drill hole database was validated prior to mineral resource estimation and QA/QC checks were made using industry-standard control charts for blanks and commercial certified reference material inserted into assay batches by Empire State Mine personnel.
- Quantities and grades in the Mineral Resource Estimate are rounded to an appropriate number of significant figures to reflect that they are estimations.
- The mineral resource estimate was constrained using the following optimization parameters, as agreed upon by Empire State Mine and the QP. The parameters include mining costs of
$4.60 /ton for mineralized rock,$3.50 /ton for unmineralized rock, and$2.00 /ton for overburden and tailings, with a5.0% dilution and95.0% mining recovery. Processing costs are$14.00 /ton milled, with a91.0% processing recovery and a concentrate grade of95.0% . No general and administrative (G&A) costs were applied. The selling price is$1,090 /ton of concentrate, with transportation costs of$50 /ton and no additional selling costs. The overall slope angles are 23 degrees for overburden and tailings, and 45 degrees for rock. - Process recovery estimates based on Phase I testing done at SGS Lakefield and Forte Dynamics, open circuit recovery
86.5% with expected increase to 90-91% in closed circuit. - The reported mineral resource estimate has been tabulated in terms of a pit-constrained cut-off value of
1.50% Cg. - The block model was prepared using Datamine Studio RM™. A 30 ft x 30 ft x 15 ft block model was created, and samples were composited at 5.00 ft intervals. Grade estimation for graphite used data from drill hole data and was carried out using Ordinary Kriging (OK), Inverse Distance Squared (ID 2), and Nearest Neighbor (NN) methods. The OK methodology is the method used to report the mineral estimate statement.
- Grade estimation was validated by comparison of the global mean block grades for OK, ID2, and NN by domain and composite mean grades by domain, swath plot analysis, and by visual inspection of the assay data, block model, and grade shells in cross-sections.
- The specific gravity (SG) assessment was carried out for all domains using measurements collected during the core logging process. The mean specific gravity value within the mineralized domains is 2.75.
- The Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared following the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (November 29, 2019).
Use of Proceeds from Expanded EXIM MMIA Support
The additional
- Resource Drilling – to grow the mineral resource base and improve confidence in the existing Inferred Mineral Resource.
- Metallurgical & Product Qualification Work – to refine flowsheets and qualify multiple downstream product categories, including micronized and purified graphite grades for battery, industrial, and defense applications.
- Engineering, Permitting and Site Management Plans – to advance feasibility-level design, de-risk construction, and align project development with U.S. federal procurement and permitting requirements.
This funding is non-dilutive to Titan shareholders and is on the same terms as previously announced MMIA support.
Technical Disclosure
The Preliminary Economic Assessment was prepared by Donald R. Taylor, MSc, PG; Todd McCracken, P. Geo.; Bahareh Asi, P. Eng., David Willock, P. Eng.; Deepak Malhotra, SME Registered Member; Oliver Peters, MSc, P.Eng.; Derick de Wit, FAusIMM; and Steven M. Trader, PG, CPG, each of whom is a “Qualified Person” as defined by NI 43-101. All are independent of Titan, other than Mr. Donald Taylor, who is on Titan’s board of directors. The effective date of the Preliminary Economic Assessment is December 1, 2025, and an NI 43-101 technical report in respect of the Preliminary Economic Assessment will be filed on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on Titan’s website within 45 days. The scientific and technical information contained herein has been reviewed and approved by the aforementioned Qualified Persons.
Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Data Verification
Core drilling was completed using ESM owned and operated drills which produced AWJ (1.374 in) size drill core. All core was logged by ESM employees. The core was washed, logged, photographed, and sampled. All core samples were cut in half, lengthwise, using a diamond saw with a diamond-impregnated blade and sampled on 5 ft intervals with adjustments made to match geological contacts. After a sample is cut, one half of the core was returned to the original core box for reference and long-term storage. The second half was placed in a plastic or cloth sample bag, labeled with the corresponding sample identification number, along with a sample tag. All sample bags were secured with staples or a draw string, weighed and packed in shipping boxes. Shipping boxes are placed onto pallets and shipped by freight to SGS Lakefield laboratory in Lakefield, ON, Canada for sample preparation and graphitic carbon analysis. Pulps are forwarded to SGS Burnaby laboratory in Burnaby, BC, Canada for multi-element analysis. SGS Lakefield is a Canadian accredited laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025) and independent of ESM. SGS Lakefield prepares the pulps and analyzes each sample for graphitic carbon (Cg-CSA06V) with a detection limit of >
About Titan Mining Corporation
Titan is an Augusta Group company which produces zinc concentrate at its
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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 PEA results (including NPV, IRR and pay-back period, margins, and EBITDA); potential amounts of graphite production; specifications of the Kilbourne project; future EXIM lending; use of proceeds from EXIM lending; initial construction capital; future ESM cashflow; graphite outputs; exploration potential; near term production pathway; qualification sales production commencing in Q4 2025 with customer qualifications commencing Q1 2026; the demonstration facility significantly de-risks the Kilbourne Project, accelerates time-to-market, and provides early validation of Titan’s downstream processing strategy; Feasibility Study in 2026 with targeted start of construction in 2027; Project expected to create approximately 160 additional permanent positions, establishing a total workforce of over 300 employees across ESM operations in upstate New York, while generating tax revenue and local economic benefits for St. Lawrence County and New York State; ongoing production from the Empire State Mine provides cash flow stability, with production expected to grow incrementally; exploration potential across Titan’s land package and operational synergies with the Kilbourne Project further enhance value and reduce execution risk; Titan is poised to be able to supply nearly half of the nation’s natural graphite demand through a fully integrated operation in New York State; we are building a U.S.-anchored critical minerals platform with clear, long-term growth; Titan will advance the project to feasibility, supported by additional drilling, expanded metallurgical testing, site-specific engineering, and environmental permitting programs. Pilot-scale purification and downstream test work will generate product samples to secure offtake agreements, further de-risking commercialization and positioning Kilbourne as a cornerstone of U.S. graphite supply; operational parameters of the Kilbourne Project Study; economic highlights of the Kilbourne Project Study; commodity input pricing; Initial, expansion and sustaining capital costs; Project All-in Operating Costs. When used in this news release words such as “to be”, "will", "planned", "expected", "potential", 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; and 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 the PEA; 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 and graphite; demand for graphite; exploration results; 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.