China export restrictions, geopolitical supply constraints and rising prices underscore the value of hydrochloric acid-based processing and Temas' Regenerative Chloride Leach ("RCL") platform
Highlights
Global sulphuric acid ("H2SO4") markets are experiencing significant disruption due to China's export restrictions and geopolitical supply constraints
China has ordered a reduction in sulphuric acid exports to prioritize domestic demand, with restrictions expected throughout 2026
Tightening supply is impacting key industries, particularly mining in Chile, the DRC and Zambia
Sulphuric acid prices are rising sharply in import-dependent regions
Temas' Regenerative Chloride Leach ("RCL") technology uses hydrochloric acid ("HCl"), providing a distinct supply chain advantage
HCl supply is regionally diversified and produced domestically in key jurisdictions such as the United States and Australia
RCL's closed-loop design reduces reagent consumption, lowers costs and enhances environmental performance
Platform offers scalable, commodity-agnostic processing with reduced exposure to global reagent supply volatility
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 20, 2026 / Temas Resources Corp. ("Temas" or the "Company")(ASX:TIO)(CSE:TMAS)(OTCQB:TMASF)(FSE:26P0) is pleased to provide an update on global sulphuric acid market conditions and the resulting strategic implications for its patented Regenerative Chloride Leach ("RCL") metallurgical processing platform.
Global Sulphuric Acid Market Disruption
Global supply chains for sulphuric acid are currently under significant strain. China, a major global producer and exporter, has implemented restrictions on exports in order to prioritise domestic requirements, particularly for fertilizer production. These restrictions are expected to remain in place throughout 2026.
This policy shift has materially impacted global availability. At the same time, sulphur supply flows through the Middle East have been disrupted due to ongoing geopolitical conflict, further tightening supply and exacerbating shortages.
Industries heavily dependent on sulphuric acid are already experiencing the effects. Mining operations in Chile, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia-where sulphuric acid is a critical input for heap leaching-are facing increasing cost pressures and supply uncertainty. In global markets where imports from China have historically played a key role, prices for sulphuric acid have already begun to rise sharply.
Sulphuric acid production is also structurally linked to oil and gas refining, meaning supply is inherently dependent on refinery throughput and broader energy market dynamics, adding another layer of volatility.
RCL Technology: A Differentiated Approach
Against this backdrop, Temas' RCL technology provides a fundamentally different and strategically advantageous processing pathway.
Unlike conventional hydrometallurgical processes that rely on sulphuric acid, the RCL platform utilises hydrochloric acid ("HCl") as its primary reagent. This distinction is critical.
Hydrochloric acid is both used and produced as a byproduct of the novel RCL metallurgical process, and as a result, RCL can benefit from HCl's:
Stable, non-cyclical supply dynamics
Regional production across industrialized economies
Reduced reliance on international trade flows
Importantly, hydrochloric acid is produced domestically in key jurisdictions such as the United States and Australia, significantly reducing exposure to geopolitical disruptions and export restrictions.
RCL Platform Overview and Benefits
RCL is an advanced hydrometallurgical processing platform designed for the efficient extraction of metals from complex mineralisation, concentrates, slags and tailings in an environmentally responsible manner.
Key attributes of the RCL platform include:
Closed-loop reagent recycling, significantly reducing net acid consumption
Lower operating costs driven by reagent efficiency and co-product recovery
Reduced environmental footprint relative to conventional processing methods
Operation at atmospheric pressure and moderate temperatures
Capability to process complex and low-grade feedstocks
Enhanced recovery of critical, battery and strategic metals
By decoupling from sulphuric acid dependency and leveraging a regenerative hydrochloric acid system, RCL provides improved supply chain security and cost predictability.
Strategic Implications and Market Opportunity
The current sulphuric acid market disruption highlights a broader structural vulnerability within conventional mineral processing flowsheets.
As supply constraints persist and pricing volatility increases, alternative processing technologies are expected to play an increasingly important role in maintaining production stability and economic viability across the mining sector.
Temas believes its RCL platform is uniquely positioned to address these challenges by offering:
A domestically supported reagent supply chain
Reduced exposure to global commodity and geopolitical risks
Improved economic performance through lower operating costs
Scalable deployment across multiple commodities and jurisdictions
Management Commentary
Mr. Tim Fernback, Temas Chief Executive Officer commented:
"What we are seeing in the sulphuric acid market today reinforces the importance of resilient and diversified processing technologies. With China restricting exports and global supply chains tightening, industries reliant on sulphuric acid are facing increasing uncertainty and cost pressure.
Our RCL technology was designed to address exactly these types of challenges. By utilising and regenerating hydrochloric acid, which is domestically produced and widely available, we significantly reduce supply chain risk while also delivering strong economic and environmental performance."
Mr. David Caldwell, Temas Chief Operating Officer commented:
"The advantage of RCL lies not only in its technical performance, but in its underlying chemistry and supply chain independence. Hydrochloric acid offers a far more stable and regionally controlled supply compared to sulphuric acid, which is tied to refining and global trade flows.
Combined with our closed-loop reagent recycling and proven cost efficiencies, RCL represents a highly differentiated and commercially relevant solution in today's evolving market environment."
- ENDS -
Approved for release by Temas Resources' Board of Directors.
For further information, contact:
Tim Fernback | Jane Morgan |
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Foreign Resource Cautionary Statements
Details regarding the foreign mineral resource estimate, project details and associated exploration results are set out in the Company's Prospectus dated 29 August 2025 (Prospectus), which is available on the Company's website and on the ASX platform.
The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the La Blache Project description in the Prospectus. The Company confirms that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the foreign estimates and exploration results in the Prospectus continue to apply and have not materially changed.
The estimates of the quantity and grade of mineralisation for the La Blache Project referred to in this announcement are "foreign estimates" within the meaning of the ASX Listing Rules and are not reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012). A competent person has not undertaken sufficient work to classify the foreign estimates as mineral resources in accordance with the JORC Code (2012). It is uncertain that following evaluation and further exploration work that the foreign estimates will be able to be reported as mineral resources in accordance with the JORC Code (2012).
Disclaimer
No representations or warranty, express or implied, is made by the Company that the material contained in this announcement will be achieved or proved correct. Except for the statutory liability which cannot be excluded, each of the Company, its directors, officers, employees, advisors, and agents expressly disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy, fairness, sufficiency or completeness of the material contained in this announcement and excludes all liability whatsoever (including in negligence) for an loss or damage which may be suffered by any person as a consequence of any information in this announcement or any effort or omission therefrom. The Company will not update of keep current the information contained in this announcement or to correct any inaccuracy or omission which may become apparent, or to furnish any person with any further information. Any opinions expressed in the announcement are subject to change without notice.
ABOUT TEMAS RESOURCES
Revolutionising Metal Production
Proprietary IP. Global Licensing. Titanium & Critical Minerals.
Temas Resources Corp. (ASX:TIO | CSE:TMAS | OTCQB:TMASF | FRA:26P0) is a technology-driven critical minerals company advancing a dual-business model built around proprietary processing innovation and strategic mineral ownership. The Company's patented Regenerative Chloride Leach (RCL) technology platform delivers significant operational cost reductions - validated at up to 65% lower than traditional processing - while dramatically reducing energy use and environmental impact.
Temas' RCL process is the foundation of its technology licensing and partnership business, enabling global mining and materials companies to adopt sustainable, high-margin metal extraction methods across a range of critical minerals including titanium, vanadium, nickel, and rare earth elements.?
Complementing its technology division, Temas also owns 100% of two advanced titanium-vanadium-iron projects in Québec, Canada - La Blache and Lac Brûlé - which are strategically positioned to feed directly into the Company's proprietary processing platform, creating a fully integrated mine-to-market supply chain for Western metals.
Through this combination of innovative IP commercialisation and resource ownership, Temas Resources is positioned to deliver scalable, low-carbon solutions that strengthen Western critical-mineral independence and create long-term value for shareholders.
Benefits the ORF - RCL Technology:
The RCL platform technology involves the hydrometallurgical mineral extraction of concentrates, whole ores, slags and tailings to enhance recovery of critical metals, battery metals, Platinum Group Minerals ("PGMs"), precious and base metals and Rare Earth Element ("REE") recovery at materially higher through-yields and lower capital and operating costs than many of the conventional approaches that are in use traditionally. This novel RCL technology is ideally suited to treat increasingly complex ores in an environmentally sensitive manner.
Pilot Testing Complete: The Company has completed a pilot test of approximately 1 ton of material from its La Blache TiO2 mineral property yielding 88 kgs of a 99.8% pure TiO2 commercial grade product.1
Validated Cost Reduction: A significant cost reduction of over 65%2,3 is validated for TiO2 processing using the RCL platform technology (e.g., reagent recycling, potentially lower energy use, optimised recovery etc.). These fundamental process efficiencies are expected to translate into economic advantages when applying the platform to Nickel or other target minerals hosted in complex ores.
Environmental Performance: The closed-loop design and high reagent recycling rates are core to the RCL platform, irrespective of the target mineral. Over 69% lower operating costs compared to conventional processing due to its core features operating at near ambient temperatures.3 This means the reduced environmental footprint and enhanced ESG profile are benefits that extend to ores and minerals previously noted, not just TiO2.
High Recovery Potential: Just as we've demonstrated high-quality, 99.8% TiO2 product from pilot testing1 the RCL platform is engineered for high recovery and purity of all target metals. Our metallurgical expertise focuses on optimising these recoveries and maximising margins for each specific mineral.
RCL results in a quicker and more complete liberation of the target metals using atmospheric pressure and lower temperatures than competing methods and improves the selectivity and efficiency of subsequent solvent extraction steps. Management believes that this novel metallurgical process can be applied to many complex resource deposits worldwide, enhancing both extraction and recovery for the operator.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements.
Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with mineral exploration generally and results from anticipated and proposed exploration programs, conditions in the equity financing markets, and assumptions and risks regarding receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.
1Source: Temas Resources Corp. "Pilot Scale Evaluation of Temas La Blache Ilmenite - Final Report PRO 21-16," 24 June 2022.
2 These metallurgical test results and cost-reduction data were first reported in the Company's Canadian market announcement dated 13 April 2021, titled "Temas Resources Acquires 50 % of Green Mineral Process Developer ORF Technologies Inc."
3 The cost-reduction figure is supported by independent evaluation conducted by the Natural Resources Research Institute (University of Minnesota, 2017) and subsequent pilot-scale validation by ORF Technologies Inc., as detailed in Temas Resources news releases of 2021 and 2022.
SOURCE: Temas Resources Corp.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:
https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/temas-highlights-strategic-advantage-of-rcl-technology-amid-global-sulphuric-acid-1158896
