Mining
Sovereign Metals advances critical geotechnical studies at Kasiya Project
May 06, 2025 / Modester Mwalija
Geotechnical diamond drilling programme underway at Kasiya
ASX-listed Sovereign Metals says it has launched extensive geotechnical drilling programs at its Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Central Malawi, marking a critical step towards the completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025.
Sovereign MD Frank Eagar says the programs are currently underway at key infrastructure sites within the project area and are expected to conclude in the coming weeks.
He says: “The investigations are covering various infrastructure zones including the North and South mining areas, processing plants, the tailings storage facility (TSF), raw water storage dam, Kasiya substation, logistics routes such as the railway spur and access roads, and accommodation camps for both permanent and contract staff”.
Eagar highlights that these studies are being conducted under the supervision of the Sovereign-Rio Tinto Technical Committee, with input from international consultants and a dedicated in-house technical team.
Eagar explains that the work follows the completion of the Optimised Prefeasibility Study (OPFS), which was concluded in January 2025 and laid out the foundation for a large-scale, long-life mining operation.
“Following the completion of our Optimised Prefeasibility Study in January, DRA Global Limited and a number of tier one consultants have been appointed to advance the DFS in combination with our highly experienced owner’s team,” Eagar says.
He explains that the current geotechnical programs are focused on collecting critical data that will determine the best locations for key infrastructure while ensuring minimal environmental and social impact.
“Comprehensive data is being gathered from these field programs and will determine optimal locations for our key project infrastructure. We remain on track to complete a DFS in quarter four of 2025,” he says.
The geotechnical work is essential for understanding the physical properties of ground conditions that will host major infrastructure. A variety of investigative methods are being deployed at the site, including diamond core drilling, spiral augur drilling, trenching, pitting using excavators, cone penetration tests (CPTu), and Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW).
“In addition, ground geophysics using active seismic techniques and resistivity surveys are being applied to better understand subsurface conditions”, Eagar says.
Eagar further explains that the OPFS has already outlined a vision for a robust mining operation that will produce substantial volumes of natural rutile and graphite as the layout proposed in the study was determined after evaluating technical, environmental, and social factors, with a strong focus on minimizing the project’s footprint.
He emphasizes that the company’s planning remains centred on responsible development, saying “Our primary design objectives have always been to minimize environmental and social impact while keeping facilities as central and efficient as possible to the mine pits”.
In addition to the geotechnical investigations, the company is also progressing its 2024 infill drilling campaign, which aims to provide more accurate geological data. An updated mineral resource estimate is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2025, which will further strengthen the DFS.
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Rehabilitation:
The establishment of a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem, but not necessarily the one that existed before mining began. In many cases, complete restoration may be impossible, but successful remediation, reclamation, and rehabilitation can result in the timely establishment of a functional ecosystem.
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Remediation:
The cleanup of the contaminated area to safe levels by removing or isolating contaminants. At mine sites, remediation often consists of isolating contaminated material in pre-existing tailings storage facilities, capping tailings and waste rock stockpiles with clean topsoil, and collecting and treating any contaminated mine water if necessary.
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