Modern Mining August 2025

COMMODITIES OUTLOOK

Empire Metals team inspects core samples.

Future-proofing portfolios: Why titanium matters now • Titanium sits at the intersection of several transformative global trends: • Defence modernisation: Fighter aircraft, submarines, and satellites depend on titanium for performance and durability. • Clean energy transition: Applications in offshore wind, solar tech, and hydrogen production are expanding rapidly. • Healthcare innovation: Titanium’s biocompatibility makes it essential for implants and surgical instruments. • Urbanisation & infrastructure: As construction and coatings demand grows, so does the need for TiO₂ pigment. Crucially, the supply of titanium—particularly in its high-grade, high-purity forms—is not keeping pace. This imbalance is expected to intensify over the coming decade, offering asymmetric upside to producers, processors, and investors positioned early in the value chain. The titanium moment Titanium is a strategic mineral at the heart of global security, industrial resilience, and sustainable innovation. As governments race to secure supply and industries scale up demand, titanium is poised to become a defining material of the 21st century. For investors and stakeholders in the resource sector, it represents not just an opportunity— but a necessity. Whether through mining equities, advanced processing technologies, or strategic partnerships, now is the time to engage with titanium’s growing role in shaping the future. n

a domestic mineral-to-metal supply chain and pioneering sponge free titanium manufacturing. • Tronox (NYSE:TROX): A vertically integrated TiO₂ pigment producer with a global presence, Tronox supports a reliable, sustainable pigment supply chain. • Iluka Resources (ASX:ILU) and Kenmare Resources (LON:KMR): Major players in mineral sands with strong positions in premium feedstock production, Kenmare recently turned down a €565 million takeover offer, highlighting the rising value of titanium assets. • Sovereign Metals (LON:SVML): Its Kasiya rutile project in Malawi, containing 17.9Mt of rutile, is among the highest-grade undeveloped deposits in the world. • SAGA Metals: With the Radar Project near Rio Tinto’s Lac Tio Mine in Canada, SAGA has the potential for a significant new titanium-vanadium discovery. Critical mineral designation: unlocking opportunity When a mineral is designated as “critical,” it signals a broader shift in both policy and capital flows. For titanium, this label translates into: • Government-backed exploration and development incentives • Strategic stockpiling by defence agencies • Export controls to secure domestic supply • Infrastructure and permitting support for new projects For investors, these dynamics mean early-stage projects in friendly jurisdictions could benefit from reduced risk and enhanced valuation. In short, criticality fuels investment premiums —especially for assets aligned with national security and clean-tech imperatives.

10  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | AUGUST 2026