TMAS: Addressing the Counterfeit Titanium Crisis The recent controversy surrounding counterfeit titanium in the aerospace industry has underscored the critical need for reliable sources of high-quality titanium. Notably, this issue has affected major aerospace manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, with titanium components sold with falsified documentation being integrated into various aircraft models.
As investigations continue, the importance of secure and trustworthy titanium supply chains has become increasingly apparent. Amid this backdrop, Temas Resources Corp. (Ticker: TMAS.c or TMASF for US investors) is emerging as a player in the North American titanium market, particularly with its ambitious La Blache Ti Project in Quebec, Canada.
The Counterfeit Titanium Crisis
According to a recent article by ER Velasco, the aerospace industry is grappling with the fallout from counterfeit titanium originating from a Chinese supplier. This titanium was found to have falsified documentation and was subsequently used in Boeing’s 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner, as well as Airbus’s A220 jets. Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier for both Boeing and Airbus, discovered corrosion and small holes in the material, prompting immediate containment and investigation efforts. The FAA and EASA are thoroughly investigating the issue to assess the safety implications and trace the counterfeit material's origins.
Temas Resources and its La Blache TI Project
Against this backdrop, Temas Resources' La Blache Project is particularly noteworthy. Located in eastern Quebec, the La Blache Project spans 117 claims over 6,203 hectares. The project is part of the La Blache Anorthosite Complex and hosts the Farrell-Taylor magnetite-ilmenite deposit, including the Hervieux-Est and Hervieux-Ouest mineralization zones. With proprietary processing technology acquired through ORF Technologies, Temas Resources can efficiently recover high-quality titanium dioxide (TiO2), vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), and ferric oxide (Fe2O3) from the ore.
Economic and Strategic Significance
A preliminary economic assessment (PEA) of the La Blache Project has demonstrated robust economic potential, with a post-tax net present value of $6.6 billion at an 8% discount rate and a post-tax internal rate of return of 60.8%. The project is expected to produce a total of 9.2 million tonnes of TiO2, 40.6 million tonnes of Fe2O3, and 152,000 tonnes of V2O5 over a 14-year mine life. The payback period for the project is under two years from the start of production, highlighting its strong financial viability.

Tim Fernback, President of Temas Resources, expressed confidence in the project, noting that titanium prices have consistently traded above USD $3,000 per tonne since August 2022, well above the project's assumptions. Fernback emphasized that the increasing demand for TiO2 and the lack of new projects in North America position the La Blache Project as a crucial contributor to the titanium supply chain.
Implications for the Aerospace Industry
The La Blache Project's development is timely, given the aerospace industry's current challenges with titanium supply integrity. By enhancing local production capabilities, Temas Resources is poised to provide a reliable and high-quality source of titanium, reducing dependency on potentially unreliable foreign suppliers. This aligns with broader efforts by Western countries to bolster the production of critical minerals domestically, ensuring the integrity and safety of essential materials used in high-stakes industries like aerospace.
In light of the recent counterfeit titanium crisis affecting Boeing and Airbus, the La Blache Project represents a significant step forward in securing a dependable and high-quality titanium supply for North America. Temas Resources' commitment to developing this project underscores the strategic importance of reliable critical mineral sources, particularly for industries where material integrity is paramount.
As the project progresses, it aims to play a crucial role in stabilizing and enhancing the titanium supply chain, benefiting not only aerospace but also other industries reliant on this vital mineral.
Full article here: https://thedeepdive.ca/boeing-airbus-and-chinese-counterfeit-titanium-a-closer-look/
Posted on behalf of Temas Resources Corp.