In 2010, Casaforte decided to invest in the development of early-stage mining projects. A technical team with long experience in world-class companies of the sector joined Casaforte’s management team to select and manage the investments.

 

After analyzing several investment opportunities, the team decided to invest in a project to produce titanium dioxide pigment, consisting of an ilmenite (titanium ore) mining and concentration plant integrated with a pigment production plant.

 

TIASA – Titanium Dioxide Pigment Production Project

 

TIASA is the owner of an ilmenite mining, concentration and chemical processing project to produce titanium dioxide pigment, which is a raw material used in paints, plastics, cosmetics, and other applications.

 

The Company did extensive geological research to guarantee the long-term supply to the chemical plant and developed its own patented technology to process the concentrated ore to produce a high value-added pigment with significant cost advantages.

 

An economic viability study of the ore extraction and concentration process was developed according to the NI 43-101 Canadian norm, and the chemical process technology of the ore was patented and tested in laboratory and with the pilot plant. The process was audited by TZMI, an Australian consulting company, world leader in titanium ore mining, titanium pigment production and metallic titanium production.

 

The mining and concentration plant will be located in Floresta-PE and the chemical plant will be installed in the petrochemical district of Camaçari-BA.

 

The first phase of the project will produce 20,000 tons of pigment per year, which represents 10% of Brazilian demand. The start of operation is projected to the end of 2024. Expansions are programmed to reach 50,000 tons in 2028 and 80,000 tons in 2031.

 

Mineral resources can supply the production for more than 50 years, but additional geological studies will be carried out to increase the reserves.