One of these mining specialists is up 90pc from when I first tipped it. Now the

In the midst of World War One, the American government made a disturbing discovery – several vital metals needed for the military effort were increasingly hard to find.

Officials swiftly drew up a critical mineral list, alongside a policy to help secure these commodities. Similar policies have now been drawn up across the Western world, focusing on minerals that are essential for defence, energy and technology. The Tories devised a strategy for the UK too, an update is overdue from Sir Keir Starmer and should be delivered imminently.

Government concerns are all too timely.

China dominates the metals industry and can withdraw supplies at a whim. Russia is a major producer of many commodities, but all its goods are under sanction. The conflict between Iran and Israel has put the entire world on notice and global supply chains are increasingly under threat.

For canny investors, this dangerous cocktail creates an opportunity – to buy shares in critical mineral mining firms and benefit from rising demand for their wares. Certain stocks stand out, including titanium-focused Empire Metals, whose shares have doubled since Midas tipped them 18 months ago and Greenland-based Amaroq, a gold and rare earths specialist, up nearly 90 per cent – whose shares have more than doubled since Midas recommended them in the summer of 2022.

Empire Metals

Lightweight, durable and rust resistant, titanium is a vital component for the defence industry, used in tanks, submarines, aircraft and missiles. The metal also plays a key role in renewable energy, while its dazzling white cousin titanium dioxide is essential for paints, plastics and paper.

Empire is developing one of the largest titanium mines in the world, a 400 square mile site in Western Australia, just north of Perth.

Midas recommended the shares in December 2023 at 9.5p. Today they are 23p, but supporters believe the price has much further to go, with several important milestones to come this year and next.

Empire is developing one of the largest titanium mines in the world, a 400 square mile site in Western Australia, just north of Perth

Titanium is a vital component for the defence industry, used in tanks, submarines, aircraft and missiles

Most titanium comes from low-grade ore, which is processed to create titanium dioxide. Conversion is costly, particularly for defence equipment and premium pigments, which need top-quality material.

Empire’s mine is different, with exceptionally pure titanium dioxide that is ideal for the highest-grade titanium markets.

Just this month, Empire chief executive Shaun Bunn, a geologist with decades of experience, unveiled tests showing his mine can simply and cost-effectively deliver titanium dioxide that is more than 99 per cent pure.

The news puts Empire in a different league from conventional producers and it has set pulses racing among investors, customers and government experts.

Titanium is on critical mineral lists around the world, but the good stuff is in extremely short supply.

Empire is backed by the Australian government, the group is in talks with officials around the world and interest is mounting among potential customers, from Japanese titanium specialists to pigment and paint producers.

In the next few months, Bunn expects to produce an independent estimate of his mine’s resources, a study on costs and a new test facility to fast-track development.

Turning a vast mine site into a commercial operation is a tough job and an expensive one. But Bunn and his team are seasoned hands and are already evaluating ways to finance this project and take it to fruition. The rewards could be extensive. High-grade titanium dioxide sells for thousands of dollars a ton, demand is rising and Empire is well positioned to benefit.

Early-stage miners are not for the faint-hearted, but existing shareholders have already done well out of Empire and, at 23p, the shares still look like a bargain for adventurous investors.

Traded on: Aim 

Ticker: EEE 

Contact: empiremetals.com 

Amaroq

As President Donald Trump has made clear in recent months, Greenland has plenty of attractive attributes, not least its rare earth minerals. These play an integral role in military kit, such as radars and missiles, they are used in wind turbines and electric motors and they are critical for smartphones, computers and other electronic devices. But China has cornered the market, which makes all of us vulnerable.

While Trump and Chinese premier Xi Jinping wrangle over access to these commodities, Greenland-based Amaroq has been busy, acquiring land and licences to become the largest private holder of mining rights in the country.

The group, formed eight years ago, owns the right to mine for gold, rare earths and a range of other critical minerals over an area five times…