Ramping up critical mineral production in the US, titanium prioritized
In 2025, the US Department of Defense (DoD) awarded IperionX US$47.1 million in funding to develop a fully-integrated domestic mineral-to-metal titanium supply chain. This is further to a previous DoD award in 2023 of US$12.7 million to increase titanium powder production for defense supply chains.
The renewed interest comes as President Donald Trump signed an executive order invoking cold war era powers to ramp up critical mineral production across the US — and it’s expected titanium will be prioritized.
However, it’s unlikely that any new supply from the US will be enough by itself in the short-term, providing opportunities for potential supply from mines in jurisdictions with free trade agreements and strong historical alliances with America.
Empire Metals is accelerating the economic development of its flagship Pitfield project, a world-class, district-scale titanium mineral system in Western Australia, which extends over 40km x 8km x 5km deep making it the largest known titanium discovery in the world.
The company’s initial focus is on two key prospects, Cosgrove and Thomas, which have been identified as having thick, high-grade, near-surface, bedded TiO₂ mineralisation, each being over 7km in strike length.
Toho Titanium Co, a leading Japanese titanium producer, Toho Titanium has been at the forefront of innovation since 1948. With a production capacity of 12,000 tons/year of titanium sponge and 7,800 tons/year of titanium ingots, Toho is well-positioned to meet growing global demand. Their recent expansion into Saudi Arabia and continuous technological advancements make them a key player in the titanium market.
IperionX is revolutionizing the titanium industry with its breakthrough technologies. IperionX’s proprietary processes eliminate the need for titanium metal sponge and ingot, enabling direct manufacturing of titanium products. With recent funding from the US Department of Defense totaling US$59.8 million, IperionX is set to develop a fully integrated domestic mineral-to-metal titanium supply chain, addressing critical supply vulnerabilities in the West.
A leading integrated manufacturer of titanium dioxide pigment, Tronox offers a vertically integrated platform spanning from mine to pigment. Their global operations and focus on sustainability position them as a reliable supplier in the TiO2 market.
With a strong presence in mineral sands and rare earths, Iluka Resources is a key player in the titanium feedstock industry. Their recent strategic shifts and investments in high-grade deposits underscore their commitment to meeting growing titanium demand.
Kenmare Resources is one of the world’s largest producers of titanium minerals with its world-class Moma Titanium Minerals Mine in Mozambique and, in March 2025. It rejected a €565m takeover bid from a consortium led by its former MD Michael Carvill. Their strategic position and high-quality mineral deposits make them an attractive investment in the titanium sector.
Sovereign Metals with its Kasiya rutile project in Malawi, is touted as the world’s largest undeveloped rutile deposit (17.9Mt contained rutile), which is the purest, highest-grade form of titanium feedstock found in nature. Sovereign Metals has the potential to become a significant player in the titanium feedstock market. Their focus on sustainable, low-cost production methods adds to their appeal.
The Radar Project’s location near Rio Tinto’s Lac Tio Mine—the world’s largest solid ilmenite deposit—and SAGA’s existing joint venture with Rio Tinto on its Legacy Lithium Project, enhance its strategic appeal. As titanium dioxide sees growing demand for applications like high-efficiency solar panels and as a pigment, SAGA’s Radar Project could become a crucial North American source. With assay results pending and further exploration planned, SAGA Metals is poised to potentially unlock a major new Titanium-Vanadium discovery in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with established infrastructure.
