Sovereign Metals Confirms Dry Mining Method, Completes Fleet Design for Malawi’s Kasiya Project
Aim- and ASX-listed Sovereign Metals has confirmed the mining method and completed the fleet design for its flagship Kasiya rutile and graphite project in Malawi, marking a major step forward in the project’s Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS).
The company has finalised the selection of equipment tailored for large-scale dry mining operations, following successful 2024 pilot phase trials that proved Kasiya’s ore can be mined efficiently using conventional dry techniques.
The comprehensive fleet design covers both primary mining operations and support activities for the project’s proposed initial 25-year life of mine.
Sovereign’s optimised prefeasibility study indicates that the dry mining approach will deliver operational flexibility, low costs, and superior environmental outcomes.
No drilling, blasting, crushing, or milling required, reducing both capital and operating costs.
A phased equipment deployment strategy involving over 200 units purchased over the mine’s life, including replacements.
Supplier identification completed for all operational requirements.
CEO Commentary
“The successful validation of our dry mining approach through comprehensive pilot trials has allowed us to design a fleet that achieves industry-leading low operating costs while maintaining exceptional flexibility and reliability,” said CEO Frank Eagar.
Eagar added that the phased deployment demonstrates disciplined capital allocation and operational efficiency, with the dragline-based method offering superior safety, environmental performance, and flexibility.
Sovereign has completed a global market analysis and identified Caterpillar, Komatsu, Liebherr Group, Hitachi, and Volvo Group as potential suppliers under a multi-supplier strategy aimed at competitive procurement and ongoing support.
“This milestone brings us closer to DFS completion and reflects the systematic progress being made across all workstreams,” Eagar noted.
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