Sovereign Metals (ASX:SVM) has delivered the first-year results from rehabilitation trials at the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi, demonstrating post-mining land can achieve “superior” agricultural productivity compared to pre-mining conditions.
The rehabilitation trials deliver critical data that informs the progressive rehabilitation strategy, as part of an ongoing Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS).
Sovereign, which has a market capitalisation of $498.14 million, says with maize yields of 5.2 tonnes per hectare versus the regional average of 1 tonne per hectare, the trials confirm the company’s progressive mining, back-filling and rehabilitation approach.
The rehabilitation approach combined proven agronomic practices with innovative techniques, including biochar application, precision nutrient management, and intercropping with giant bamboo.
These results will be integrated into Sovereign’s rehabilitation strategy, which supports project-specific closure provisioning, enhanced community value proposition, proven environmental stewardship, and strengthening environmental, social, and governance positioning.
CEO Frank Eagar says these results represent a milestone in developing Kasiya into a tier one, low-carbon, sustainable operation.
“The empirical data from these trials directly informs our DFS rehabilitation strategy, further de-risking the project while demonstrating exceptional ESG credentials,” Eagar says.
Sovereign has partnered with local farmers where the company tested several rehabilitation options to develop the agronomic-driven model for soil rehabilitation.
The Kasiya Project was first discovered in 2019 after uncovering the potential of a new rutile province in Malawi.
Sovereign Metals is focused on developing the Kasiya Project and becoming a global supplier of titanium and graphite.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Sovereign Metals
