NEWS
RELEASE I 13 NOVEMBER 2024
MINING TRIALS CONCLUDE SUCCESSFULLY
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Test mining at Kasiya has successfully concluded following
completion of hydraulic and dry mining trials
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Mining trials have confirmed that soft, friable Kasiya orebody
can be efficiently mined utilising various mining
methods
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Fraser Alexander, a global industry leader in hydraulic
mining, conducted the trial which commenced in
August
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The
dry mining trial confirmed Kasiya can be efficiently mined to depth
using standard mobile excavators and trucks
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The
Pilot Phase program continues to progress with oversight from
Sovereign-Rio Tinto Technical Committee with land rehabilitation
now underway, including backfilling of the test
pit
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Sovereign Metals Limited (ASX:SVM,
AIM:SVML, OTCQX:SVMLF) (Sovereign or the Company) is pleased to announce that it
has successfully completed the mining trials stage of its Pilot
Mining and Land Rehabilitation Program (Pilot Phase) at the Kasiya
Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi (Kasiya).
Hydraulic mining trials at Kasiya
were successfully concluded as part of the Kasiya Optimisation
Study. Prior to the hydraulic mining trials, a dry mining trial
successfully excavated a test pit to a depth of 20 metres. The
mining trials confirm that the soft, friable Kasiya ore can be
efficiently mined.
Managing Director and CEO, Frank Eagar
commented: "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."
Following the conclusion of mining
trials, land rehabilitation demonstrations are now underway
commencing with the backfilling of the test pit. The test pit,
which was excavated using conventional dry mining techniques and a
simple mobile excavator fleet, covered an area of 120 metres by 110
metres and was mined to a depth of 20 metres through the weathered
ore at Kasiya. 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.
As part of the Pilot Phase, the
Company has constructed small rehabilitation demonstration pits
that will be used to demonstrate multiple rehabilitation processes.
Sovereign's objective is to restore land after mining to conditions
that achieve the same or better agricultural yields than prior to
mining operations.
The Pilot Phase will demonstrate to
local communities the successful rehabilitation of land for
agricultural use post-mining. Results will also allow Sovereign to
determine optimal approaches, providing critical information for
Kasiya's Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.
Sovereign remains focused on
becoming a leading global supplier to the titanium and graphite
industries. Kasiya is the world's largest natural rutile deposit -
the purest, highest-grade naturally occurring titanium feedstock -
and the world's second-largest flake graphite deposit - a battery
mineral essential for the energy transition.
Figure 1:
Hydraulic mining
of Kasiya test pit
Figure 2:
Water monitor demonstrating hydraulic mining of Kasiya
material
Figures 3 & 4: Test pit
during hydro-mining trials (above) and aerial view of test pit
being backfilled
Enquires
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Frank Eagar, Managing Director & CEO
South Africa / Malawi
+27 21 065 1890
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Sapan Ghai, CCO
London
+44 207 478 3900
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Nominated Adviser on AIM and
Joint Broker
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SP Angel Corporate Finance
LLP
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+44 20 3470 0470
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Ewan Leggat
Charlie Bouverat
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Joint
Brokers
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Stifel
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+44 20 7710 7600
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Varun Talwar
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Ashton Clanfield
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Berenberg
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+44 20 3207 7800
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Matthew Armitt
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Jennifer Lee
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Buchanan
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+ 44 20 7466 5000
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Forward Looking Statement
This release may include forward-looking statements, which may
be identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates",
"believes", "projects", "plans", and similar expressions. These
forward-looking statements are based on Sovereign's expectations
and beliefs concerning future events. Forward looking statements
are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors,
many of which are outside the control of Sovereign, which could
cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.
There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will
prove to be correct. Sovereign makes no undertaking to subsequently
update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this
release, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of
that release.