Wedoany.com Report-Dec.13, Titan Mining has initiated ore feeding at its Kilbourne graphite demonstration facility, advancing the project toward production of graphite concentrate.

The Kilbourne project is targeting 40,000tpa of graphite concentrate.

The facility is integrated within the company's Empire State Mine complex in upstate New York, United States.

This development represents an important advancement in domestic natural flake graphite processing, resuming complete local production after an extended period without such activity.

The demonstration plant holds full permits and features a design capacity of approximately 1,200 tonnes per annum of concentrate.

It establishes Titan Mining as a producer of both zinc concentrate and natural flake graphite.

Titan Mining president and CEO Rita Adiani said: "Today is a pivotal moment not only for Titan, but for US critical minerals independence. We are delivering on our commitment to re-establish a secure US supply of battery-grade natural flake graphite – a key input for energy storage, defence and strategic industries."

Material from the demonstration operations will support product qualification testing and discussions with potential buyers.

The broader Kilbourne initiative targets an annual output of 40,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate, a level capable of addressing a substantial portion of current domestic natural graphite requirements amid expanding market needs.

Local production contributes to greater supply chain stability in light of evolving international trade conditions for graphite.

The progress builds on a recent project assessment that verified favorable economics, complemented by increased assistance from the Export-Import Bank of the United States through its Make More in America program.

The bank provided an additional $5.5 million in grant funding to advance detailed planning and expressed interest in financing up to $120 million for construction phases.

Titan Mining, affiliated with the Augusta Group, owns and operates the Empire State Mine in New York, where it currently generates zinc concentrate.