Sovereign Metals Ltd has kicked off a suite of geotechnical drilling and investigation programs at its flagship Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi.
The move represents a significant milestone in the delivery of the project’s Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), targeted for the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Kasiya Project is positioned to become one of the world's largest integrated natural rutile and graphite operations, supporting global supply chains for critical minerals with a strong focus on ESG outcomes.
Critical infrastructure under assessment
The ongoing field programs are focused on key project infrastructure areas, including the processing plant site, tailings storage facility (TSF), raw water storage dam, Kasiya substation, and associated mining and logistics infrastructure.
The data gathered will be instrumental in determining optimal locations for each component, ensuring safe, efficient and sustainable project development.
The company is employing a combination of geotechnical and geophysical methods to evaluate ground conditions across the proposed development areas.
These investigations are designed to understand the physical and structural properties of the underlying geology and will directly inform engineering designs.
Geotechnical diamond drilling program underway
Technical oversight and expert engagement
The investigations are being conducted under the supervision of the Sovereign-Rio Tinto Technical Committee, with DRA Global and other tier-one consultants engaged to support the company’s owner’s team.
This collaborative structure brings together deep technical expertise, ensuring robust planning and execution.
“Following the completion of our Optimised Prefeasibility Study in January, DRA and a number of tier one consultants have been appointed to advance the DFS in combination with our highly experienced owner’s team,” said managing director and chief executive officer Frank Eagar.
“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 Q4 2025.”
Building on the Optimised Prefeasibility Study
The ongoing fieldwork builds upon the findings of Sovereign’s Optimised Prefeasibility Study (OPFS), released in January 2025, which proposed a large-scale, long-life operation capable of producing significant quantities of natural rutile and graphite.
The OPFS also outlined a project development layout based on technical, environmental and social parameters.
The current infrastructure-focused investigations represent a transition from concept to detailed planning and are essential to validate assumptions made during earlier study phases.
Resource update due in Q2 2025
In parallel with the DFS preparations, Sovereign expects to report results from its 2024 infill drilling program and publish an updated mineral resource estimate during the second quarter of 2025.
These updates are anticipated to provide further clarity on the scale and quality of the Kasiya resource and will feed into the ongoing feasibility workstreams.