Sovereign Metals Ltd (ASX:SVM, OTC:SVMLF, AIM:SVML) has completed the mining trials stage of its Pilot Mining and Land Rehabilitation Program at the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi, confirming that soft, friable Kasiya orebody can be efficiently mined utilising various mining methods.
Kasiya is the world’s largest natural rutile deposit – the purest, highest-grade naturally occurring titanium feedstock. It is also the world’s second-largest flake graphite deposit – a battery mineral essential for the energy transition.
Sovereign remains focused on becoming a leading global supplier to the titanium and graphite industries.
Sovereign managing director and CEO Frank Eagar said: “I am pleased with the results of the mining trials at the test pit and now look forward to the rehabilitation demonstration stage, with backfilling of the pit already underway.
“Our findings from this Pilot Phase are constantly improving our understanding of Kasiya and how to optimise operations at this genuine Tier-1 project.”
Hydraulic and dry test mining trials
Global industry leader in hydraulic mining Fraser Alexander, conducted the hydraulic mining trial, which was part of the Kasiya Optimisation Study, and followed the completion of a dry mining trial.
The test pit was excavated using conventional dry mining techniques and a simple mobile excavator fleet. It covered an area of 120 metres by 110 metres and was mined to a depth of 20 metres through the weathered ore at Kasiya.
Test pit during hydro-mining trials.
Land rehabilitation underway
Now that the mining trials have concluded, land rehabilitation demonstrations are underway beginning with backfilling of the test pit.
Mined material is being placed back into the pit and all areas will be graded. The backfilling stage is expected to conclude in December 2024.
Test pit being backfilled.
Pilot program
Sovereign advises that the Pilot Phase program continues to progress with oversight from the Sovereign-Rio Tinto Technical Committee.
This Pilot Phase will demonstrate to local communities the successful rehabilitation of land for agricultural use post-mining.
The results will also allow Sovereign to determine optimal approaches, providing critical information for Kasiya’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.
As part of the Pilot Phase, the company has constructed small rehabilitation demonstration pits that will be used to demonstrate multiple rehabilitation processes.
The company is aiming to restore land after mining to conditions that achieve the same or better agricultural yields than prior to mining operations.