Titan Mining Corporation (NYSE-A:TII) (TSX:TI), an existing zinc concentrate producer in upstate New York and the only end to end producer of natural flake graphite in the U.S., announced a landmark step toward American graphite independence: its wholly-owned subsidiary, Empire State Mines, LLC, has received Conditional Selection Notices from the U.S. Army for Enhanced Use Lease opportunities at two strategic defense installations — Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas, and Anniston Army Depot, Alabama. The awards are made under U.S. Army RFP No. DACA27-1-26-204 and the Army’s newly launched Strategic Capital Initiatives program. Titan is open to other Army sites and will continue to pursue those opportunities.
HIGHLIGHTS
These conditional awards give effect to President Trump’s Executive Order 14241, which directed the Department of War to use its Enhanced Use Lease authority to establish commercial mineral refining enterprises on U.S. military bases. ESM’s selection is among the first awards issued under this initiative — a concrete step toward critical mineral independence and a demonstration that domestic mining companies, backed by federal policy and military infrastructure, can end America’s strategic dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains.
Subject to finalization of Business Terms Agreements with the U.S. Army, ESM will design, finance, construct, and operate the Kilbourne Graphite Purification Plant, a commercial-scale facility producing purified graphite critical to U.S. defense and energy storage supply chains. Pine Bluff Arsenal (Site B, ~245 acres) is designated as the primary site, with Anniston Army Depot (Parcel 1, ~97 acres) advancing on a sequenced schedule.
“For the first time in American history, a critical minerals processing facility will be built on U.S. defense soil, and Titan Mining is the company making it happen,” said Rita Adiani, President & CEO of Titan Mining. “These awards mark a turning point in ending America’s dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains, and Titan is honored to lead the re-shoring initiative of critical minerals which are essential to our national security.”
A HISTORIC MILESTONE FOR U.S. CRITICAL MINERAL SECURITY
Graphite is among the most strategically exposed critical minerals facing the United States today. The country is 100% reliant on imports for natural flake graphite, and China controls more than 90% of global battery-grade graphite processing capacity, a chokehold over materials essential to munitions, missiles, sensors, energy storage and electric vehicles. More than merely a supply chain vulnerability, it is a strategic dependency, especially because the United States currently lacks commercial-scale domestic graphite capacity.
ESM’s selection under the U.S. Army’s Enhanced Use Lease program represents a significant step toward addressing this strategic gap. It establishes a new public-private partnership model for deploying critical mineral processing infrastructure on U.S. defense installations and demonstrates how government and industry can work together to strengthen domestic supply chains without cost to the taxpayer.
The Kilbourne Graphite Project, anchored by Titan’s natural graphite resource in New York State, is uniquely positioned to support a fully integrated domestic graphite supply chain, from mine to value-add graphite products, helping advance U.S. defense, industrial and energy security objectives.
Adiani added: “America has declared critical mineral independence before — now it’s time to build it. We have the resources in the ground, the infrastructure to process it, and now U.S. Army partnership to take it further downstream. This effort aims to establish a fully domestic supply chain, entirely free from foreign control.”
EUL STRUCTURE: A PIONEER PUBLIC-PRIVATE MODEL
The Enhanced Use Lease mechanism under 10 U.S.C. § 2667 is a proven but rarely applied statutory authority that allows the Army to lease underutilized land to qualified private partners for up to 50 years. ESM’s conditional selection marks the first application of this authority to a critical mineral processing facility, establishing a replicable template for future mineral-sector EUL partnerships across the defense estate.
The U.S. Army retains ownership of the land at all times, while ESM is responsible for all costs associated with the financing, design, construction, operation and eventual decommissioning of the facility. In lieu of cash rent, ESM will provide in-kind consideration through infrastructure improvements at the host installation, generating direct benefits for military personnel, families and base operations. All project activities will be undertaken in accordance with applicable federal requirements, including Davis-Bacon prevailing wage provisions and Buy American Act requirements.
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 a natural flake graphite producer and the United States’ 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
Investor Relations Contact
Irina Kuznetsova
Director, Investor Relations
Phone: (778) 870-7735
Email: info@titanminingcorp.com
Media Relations Contact
KCSA Strategic Communications
Email: TitanMining@KCSA.com
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