Key Takeaways
- Titan Mining aims to be the first fully integrated U.S. graphite producer in over seven decades by Q4 2025.
- The Kilbourne Project has received more than 50% of its equipment; construction begins August.
- Located in New York, it leverages Titan’s existing Empire State Mines infrastructure.
- The U.S. graphite producer will offer a secure, tariff-free alternative to Chinese imports.
- Project scalability supports future expansion aligned with domestic battery and defense demand.
In a long-anticipated move to restore domestic production capacity, Titan Mining Corp. is on track to become the first fully integrated U.S. graphite producer in more than 70 years. The Kilbourne Project in upstate New York is expected to begin commercial output by the end of 2025, with major equipment already delivered and installation set for August.
Located within the Empire State Mines complex, the facility will mine, process, and qualify natural flake graphite entirely within the United States. It’s a model of vertical integration — and a response to intensifying trade barriers and supply chain fears.
“Graphite is a critical material, yet the U.S. has gone decades without domestic production,” said CEO Don Taylor. “This is a major step toward restoring that capability.”
How a U.S. Graphite Producer Gains Ground on China
Titan is leaning on existing infrastructure, including 135 staff, on-site power, and streamlined logistics — elements that give the U.S. graphite producer a cost and time advantage. More than 90% of Kilbourne’s processing equipment is sourced from North America, primarily the United States, allowing it to bypass rising tariffs on Chinese imports.
The graphite resource itself remains underexplored, with only 8,300 feet of a 25,000-foot strike tested. With significant upside potential, Titan is positioning itself to expand capacity as domestic demand grows.
Trade Barriers Fuel U.S. Graphite Producer Strategy
Graphite makes up roughly 30% of a lithium-ion battery’s weight, but the U.S. currently imports all of it — mostly from China. In 2023, Beijing began restricting graphite exports, igniting urgency for domestic alternatives.
That urgency works in Titan’s favor. As a U.S. graphite producer, it sidesteps foreign dependency and offers OEMs Inflation Reduction Act-compliant material for battery and defense applications.
“With escalating tariffs and tightening trade restrictions globally, Titan is uniquely positioned,” said President Rita Adiani. “We’re offering a secure, tariff-free U.S. supply.”
Next Steps for America’s First Fully Integrated Graphite Supply Chain
August marks a critical milestone: the installation of the ball mill and other core infrastructure. The company expects full commissioning in Q4 2025 and sales qualification in Q1 2026. No offtake agreements have been announced yet, but discussions are underway.
The company’s trajectory is closely watched. “If they deliver on time, they’ll define the price floor for domestic supply,” said a New York-based battery metals analyst. “Being first matters — and they’re nearly there.”
In a reshoring race where many are still chasing permits, Titan’s position as the first operational U.S. graphite producer could make it a cornerstone of America’s energy transition.
