Key Takeaways
- Titan Mining (TII) shares surged between 34% and 42% on Friday following conditional selection by the U.S. Army for graphite processing facility leases at two military installations.
- Empire State Mines, a TII subsidiary, will develop the Kilbourne Graphite Purification Plant at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas (~245 acres, primary location) and Anniston Army Depot in Alabama (~97 acres).
- The lease agreements extend up to 50 years, with Empire State Mines responsible for all construction and operational expenses while the Army retains land ownership.
- America currently relies entirely on imports for natural flake graphite, while China dominates over 90% of worldwide battery-grade graphite processing capacity.
- TII shows a GF Score of 37/100 and remains unprofitable with a negative EPS of -$0.01.
Titan Mining (TII) shares skyrocketed up to 42% during Friday’s trading session after Empire State Mines, its subsidiary company, secured conditional selection notifications from the United States Army for Enhanced Use Lease agreements at a pair of military facilities.
Shares entered the session trading near $2.23. The stock had been languishing significantly below its 52-week peak of $5.65, making Friday’s rally a notable turnaround.
Empire State Mines was chosen by the Army to build graphite purification operations at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas and Anniston Army Depot in Alabama. Pine Bluff represents the principal location, encompassing approximately 245 acres, while Anniston will proceed on a phased timeline with roughly 97 acres.
This represents the inaugural application of the U.S. Army’s Enhanced Use Lease authority toward a critical mineral processing operation. The selections are part of the Army’s Strategic Capital Initiatives program.
Lease agreements may extend to 50 years under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 2667. Empire State Mines will bear full responsibility for design, financing, construction and operational expenditures. Land title remains with the Army throughout the agreement period.
Construction is scheduled to commence during the latter half of 2027.
The Strategic Importance of Graphite
The United States depends entirely on foreign sources for 100% of its natural flake graphite requirements. China maintains control over more than 90% of worldwide processing capacity for battery-grade graphite. This supply chain vulnerability has garnered growing scrutiny from defense and energy policy officials.
Titan Mining runs the Empire State Mine located in upstate New York and positions itself as America’s sole comprehensive producer of natural flake graphite.
This development corresponds with President Trump’s Executive Order 14241, executed in March 2025, which mandated the establishment of domestic mineral processing capabilities at military facilities.
Titan wasn’t the sole recipient of this recognition. REalloys (ALOY) and Ioneer (IONR) were also granted selection notices under the Army’s broader strategy to establish critical mineral processing operations on American territory.
The Financial Picture
Despite Friday’s impressive rally, TII’s underlying financials paint a challenging picture. The company holds a GF Score of 37 out of 100, indicating deficiencies across profitability, growth and financial stability metrics.
Its profitability ranking stands at 4/10. The growth metric registers 3/10. Financial strength receives a 5/10 rating. Current EPS stands at -$0.01, indicating the company has yet to achieve profitability.
Over the previous three months, insider purchases consisted of two transactions totaling 3,000 shares — representing a limited indication of internal optimism.
Titan’s market capitalization hovers around $214.71 million. The stock had been trading considerably below its 52-week high prior to Friday’s movement.
The conditional selection notices don’t constitute finalized contracts. Empire State Mines must still navigate additional requirements before construction obligations become binding.


