Mining

Titan Mining Pushes Toward U.S. Graphite Independence

They are doing so with strong project results and expanded federal backing

An image of someone holding graphite on a black background — Aeduard from Getty Images Signature

*Image via Aeduard from Getty Images Signature*

Titan Mining Corporation has taken a major step forward in positioning itself as a leading supplier of natural graphite in the United States. The company announced impressive economic results from its Kilbourne Graphite Project in upstate New York, alongside increased support from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), under the “Make More in America” initiative.

Titan’s newly released Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Kilbourne Project shows an after-tax net present value of $513 million, a 37 percent internal rate of return, and a payback period of just 2.7 years. These numbers place Kilbourne among the most promising graphite projects in the country.

The project aims to produce around 40,000 metric tonnes of graphite concentrate annually at full capacity, which could account for nearly half of current U.S. demand for natural graphite. That’s a significant development as the country looks to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains for critical minerals.

In a further boost, EXIM has approved an additional $5.5 million in non-dilutive funding to support feasibility work and has issued a non-binding Letter of Interest for up to $120 million in project financing. This would cover the majority of construction capital for Kilbourne and marks a historic first: the initial feasibility study for a domestic graphite project backed by EXIM.

Titan CEO and President Rita Adiani said the company is now on a clear path to becoming a cornerstone of the U.S. graphite supply chain. “With the strong economics confirmed by the Kilbourne Project Study and additional federal support, we are building a fully integrated critical minerals platform right here in New York,” she said.

The Kilbourne Project is co-located at Titan’s existing Empire State Mine site, which currently produces zinc and is being developed into a multi-metal hub for critical materials. Germanium testing is already underway, and the site’s existing infrastructure, workforce, and operations are expected to improve capital efficiency and reduce execution risk.

Initial construction capital is pegged at $156 million, and Titan plans to use its ongoing zinc operations to help fund the project while minimizing shareholder dilution. The company also highlighted high expected margins, with average EBITDA of $125 million and margins ranging from 58 to 69 percent over the project’s life.

Beyond economics, the project promises a significant local impact. Kilbourne is expected to create around 160 new permanent jobs, bringing the total workforce at Titan’s New York operations to over 300 people. The development will also generate tax revenues and broader economic benefits for St. Lawrence County and New York State.

The Kilbourne site holds an estimated 22.4 million tons of inferred mineral resources grading 2.9 percent graphite. So far, only 30 percent of the known strike length has been drilled, indicating potential for future resource expansion. The plan is to develop an open-pit mine using a flotation-based process to produce high-purity graphite, eventually transitioning to spherical graphite production for battery and energy applications.

Titan expects to begin qualification sales in late 2025, with customer validation set for early 2026. A full feasibility study is scheduled for 2026, with construction targeted to begin in 2027.

With federal backing, a strong resource base, and an experienced team, Titan appears well-positioned to help the United States achieve a long-sought goal: building a secure, domestic supply of graphite—an essential material for batteries, defense, and clean energy technologies.