Titan Mining Commences Graphite Processing at Empire State Mines in New York

Rhea-AI Summary

Titan Mining (NYSE-A:TII) has begun ore feed at the Kilbourne graphite demonstration facility within its Empire State Mine in Gouverneur, New York, starting start-up operations toward first graphite concentrate production on Dec. 11, 2025. The fully permitted demonstration plant is sized at 1,200 tonnes per year of concentrate and supports qualification runs and offtake discussions to advance commercial scale-up toward a planned 40,000 tpa capacity.

The company highlighted $5.5M of additional EXIM non-dilutive funding and a non-binding Letter of Interest for up to $120M in project financing to accelerate feasibility and development.

Positive

• Demonstration plant start-up at 1,200 tonnes per year
• Project target of 40,000 tpa graphite concentrate
• EXIM added $5.5M in non-dilutive funding
• EXIM non-binding Letter of Interest for up to $120M

Negative

• Project subject to capital and operating cost increases
• Risk of equipment or supply shortages and fluctuating costs
• Exposure to graphite and zinc price volatility
• Potential impacts from environmental regulations and legal proceedings
• Financing uncertainty despite EXIM non-binding interest

Key Figures

Demo plant capacity 1,200 tonnes per year Kilbourne graphite demonstration facility concentrate capacity

Target output 40,000 tonnes per annum Planned Kilbourne graphite concentrate production at commercial scale

Historic gap more than 70 years Time since last end-to-end U.S. natural flake graphite production

EXIM funding $5.5 million Additional non-dilutive EXIM funding for Kilbourne feasibility work

EXIM LOI $120 million Non-binding EXIM Letter of Interest for potential project financing

Market Reality Check

$2.49 Last Close

Volume Volume 39,721 vs 20-day average 90,150 (relative volume 0.44x) ahead of this graphite update. low

Technical Shares at $2.25, trading below the $2.48 200-day moving average and 25.99% under the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

No peers or sector movers were flagged around this announcement, suggesting price action was more stock-specific than sector-driven.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 01	Graphite project update	Positive	-2.5%	Kilbourne graphite PEA with strong economics and expanded EXIM support.

Pattern Detected

The prior Kilbourne graphite economics release was positive yet saw a negative price reaction, echoing today’s weakness on constructive project news.

Recent Company History

On Dec 1, 2025, Titan highlighted strong Kilbourne graphite economics, including positive NPV, IRR and EXIM support, yet the stock fell about 2.5% over 24 hours. Today’s news advances the same project with ore feeding at the Kilbourne demonstration facility and reiterates ambitions for 40,000 tpa of concentrate. The pattern shows constructive graphite milestones coinciding with short-term share price pressure rather than immediate upside.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock moved +9.6% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the constructive graphite narrative built since early December, when Kilbourne’s economics and EXIM support were highlighted. Commencing ore feeding at the 1,200 tpa demonstration facility and reiterating plans for 40,000 tpa of concentrate strengthen the strategic U.S. supply-chain story. However, past weakness after good news suggests investors may watch for execution on scale-up, permitting, and financing before sustaining any move.

Key Terms

natural flake graphite technical

"an emerging natural flake graphite producer (a key component of the broader..."

Natural flake graphite is a naturally occurring form of carbon that breaks into thin, plate-like flakes when mined. Investors care because its physical quality and availability determine how easily it can be turned into products such as battery anodes, conductive materials and industrial lubricants; think of it like raw cotton — the better the raw fiber, the less work and cost to make valuable end products, so supply, grade and processing needs drive price and investment risk.

critical minerals technical

"graphite producer (a key component of the broader rare earths and critical minerals..."

Materials needed to build modern technologies—like batteries, electronics, renewable energy systems and defense equipment—that have few easy substitutes and often come from a small number of countries or mines. Investors care because their supply can be disrupted, expensive or slow to increase, which affects the cost, availability and growth prospects of companies and industries that rely on them; think of them as critical spare parts for the global economy.

non-dilutive funding financial

"EXIM approved an additional $5.5 million in non-dilutive funding to accelerate..."

Non-dilutive funding is money a company raises that does not require issuing new shares or reducing existing owners’ percentage ownership, such as grants, certain loans, contract revenue, or licensing deals. It matters to investors because it lets a company finance growth or research without shrinking shareholder stakes or changing control, much like topping up a car’s gas tank instead of selling part of the car to pay for the trip.

ni 43-101 regulatory

"who is a “Qualified Person” as defined by NI 43-101."

A Canadian regulatory standard that sets the rules for how mining and exploration companies must report mineral resources and reserves, requiring technical reports prepared or signed off by an independent, certified expert. It matters to investors because it creates a consistent, transparent “inspection report” for mining projects, making it easier to compare prospects, judge the reliability of claims, and assess geological and financial risk before investing.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Positions Titan as America's Only End-to-End Domestic Producer of Natural Graphite; Enhances Domestic Supply of Critical Minerals

GOUVERNEUR, N.Y., Dec. 11, 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), announced that ore feeding has commenced at its Kilbourne graphite demonstration facility, advancing the project toward first graphite concentrate production. This marks a historic step toward restoring end-to-end U.S. natural flake graphite production for the first time in more than 70 years.

"Today is a pivotal moment not only for Titan, but for U.S. critical minerals independence,” said Rita Adiani, President & CEO of Titan. “We are delivering on our commitment to re-establish a secure U.S. supply of battery-grade natural flake graphite — a key input for energy storage, defense and strategic industries."

Located within Titan’s Empire State Mine infrastructure, the fully permitted 1,200-tonnes-per-year of concentrate demonstration plant is now in start-up operations. Output from the facility will enable qualification runs and offtake discussions, accelerating the project’s progression toward commercial scale-up.

The Kilbourne Project is designed to eventually reach 40,000 tonnes per annum of graphite concentrate — potentially supplying nearly half of current U.S. natural graphite demand, as market needs grow. This domestic output addresses critical supply-chain vulnerabilities that have materialized given global graphite export restrictions.

This announcement follows Titan’s recently released Kilbourne Project Study, which confirmed strong project economics and highlighted expanded backing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) under its “Make More in America” initiative. EXIM approved an additional $5.5 million in non-dilutive funding to accelerate feasibility work and issued a non-binding Letter of Interest for up to $120 million in project financing — support that underscores the strategic importance of restoring a fully integrated U.S. graphite supply chain. Today’s commencement of processing at the Kilbourne demonstration facility represents the next major step in advancing that vision.

Scientific and Technical Information

The scientific and technical information contained herein has been approved by Oliver Peters, MSc, P.Eng. who is a “Qualified Person” as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Peters is independent of the Company. Refer to the Company’s news release dated December 1, 2025, titled “Titan Mining Announces Strong Kilbourne Graphite Project Economics and Expanded U.S EXIM Support to Accelerate U.S. Graphite Independence” for additional information on the Kilbourne Project.

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. Titan is also an emerging natural flake graphite producer and targeting to be the USA’s first end to end producer of natural flake graphite in 70 years. Titan’s goal is to deliver shareholder value through operational excellence, development and exploration. We have a strong commitment towards developing critical minerals assets which enhance the security of the domestic supply chain. For more information on the Company, please visit our website at www.titanminingcorp.com

Media & Investor Contact

Irina Kuznetsova
Director, Investor Relations
Phone: (778) 870-7735
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 that Kilbourne will produce graphite concentrate; that end-to-end U.S. natural graphite production will be restored; output from the facility will enable qualification runs and offtake discussions, accelerating the project’s progression toward commercial scale-up; and Kilbourne potentially supplying nearly half of current U.S. natural graphite demand, as market needs grow. 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.

FAQ

What did Titan Mining (TII) announce on December 11, 2025 about graphite production?

Titan announced ore feed commenced at the Kilbourne demonstration plant, beginning start-up toward first graphite concentrate production.

What is the capacity of the Kilbourne demonstration plant and the long-term target for Titan (TII)?

The demonstration plant is permitted for 1,200 tonnes per year of concentrate and the project targets 40,000 tpa at commercial scale.

How is EXIM supporting Titan's Kilbourne project (TII)?

EXIM approved an additional $5.5M in non-dilutive funding and issued a non-binding Letter of Interest for up to $120M in project financing.

Does Titan (TII) claim the Kilbourne project will affect U.S. graphite supply?

Titan says the 40,000 tpa target could potentially supply nearly half of current U.S. natural graphite demand as market needs grow.

What material risks did Titan (TII) disclose about Kilbourne operations?

Titan disclosed risks including capital and operating cost increases, equipment shortages, price volatility, environmental regulation impacts, legal proceedings, and financing uncertainty.