Sovereign Metals sets focus on becoming largest producer of both rutile and graphite (ex-China)

Sovereign Metals Ltd is focused on developing its Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi to become 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.

Sovereign Metals Ltd (ASX:SVM, OTC:SVMLF, AIM:SVML) has achieved a major validation for its flagship Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi, with Japan’s Toho Titanium confirming that rutile from Kasiya is suitable for producing high-specification titanium metal products.

This validation strengthens Sovereign's position as a key player in the global titanium supply chain, especially in light of growing geopolitical tensions and the increasing demand for titanium in critical industries.

Toho Titanium, one of Japan’s premier producers of titanium metals, conducted an extensive test of Kasiya's rutile and concluded that the material met the stringent specifications required for aerospace and industrial applications, Sovereign announced on Tuesday.

The analysis confirmed that Kasiya’s rutile exceeded necessary parameters, including titanium dioxide (TiO2) grade (>95%), low levels of deleterious elements and suitable particle size distribution.

Sovereign Metals Ltd has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) to secure long-term renewable energy supply for its Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project. The agreement outlines a path to access 60 megawatts (MW) of hydropower through a grid connection to the Nkhoma Substation, supporting steady-state operations at Kasiya from year six.

This development coincides with a significant energy milestone for Malawi. The World Bank has approved a US$350 million (AU$545M) grant to support the landmark Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project (MHSP), which will add 358MW of capacity to Malawi’s national grid by 2030. The dual developments are pivotal for both Kasiya’s feasibility and the country's broader economic infrastructure.

Sovereign Metals Ltd has marked a productive March 2025 quarter, advancing both the technical and social dimensions of its flagship Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi.

The company continues to de-risk the project while sharpening its economic outlook through a Rio Tinto-supported optimised prefeasibility study (OPFS) and ongoing definitive feasibility study (DFS) work.

Brokerage Stifel has initiated coverage of Sovereign Metals Ltd (ASX:SVM, OTC:SVMLF, AIM:SVML) with a buy rating and a 65p price target.

Analysts cited the development of Sovereign’s Kasiya project in central Malawi as key to the company’s investment thesis.

“Within five years of its discovery, Kasiya has rapidly demonstrated potential to become a significant producer of two critical minerals: natural rutile, the purest form of titanium dioxide, and flake graphite.

Proactive’s Tylah Tully breaks down ‘Just the Facts’ of Sovereign Metals Ltd (ASX:SVM, OTC:SVMLF, AIM:SVML) latest ASX announcement.

It’s has installed and commissioned an industrial-scale spiral concentrator plant at its Lilongwe facility in Malawi. This development is part of the company’s Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project, aimed at increasing graphite production and progressing discussions with both lithium-ion battery manufacturers and traditional graphite markets. The plant has a processing capacity of up to three tonnes per hour and produces large-scale graphite pre-concentrate for customer qualification.

This new facility is a crucial step towards Sovereign’s goal of becoming a leading global producer of rutile and flake graphite, serving sectors such as electric vehicles, energy storage systems, refractories, and foundries. Additionally, it will provide vital training for Malawian employees in preparation for full-scale operations. The plant employs a gravity-based process similar to that outlined in the company's 2023 pre-feasibility study, with ongoing optimisation overseen by the Sovereign-Rio Tinto Technical Committee.