FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
MARCH 14, 2025
FARMERS SET FOR BUMPER HARVEST UNDER KASIYA PIT REHABILITATION PROGRAMME
LILONGWE, MALAWI – Farmers in Kasiya are set for a massive increase in maize yields this season following a four-fold rise in crop performance last season under a pioneering mining and land rehabilitation programme by Sovereign Services.
The company has announced the successful rehabilitation of its Kasiya test pit site under a pilot phase at its rutile-graphite project, demonstrating the company’s commitment to responsible mining and land rehabilitation practices.
“The empirical data collected from these trials will feed directly into our Definitive Feasibility Study designs for livelihood restoration, mine closure and land rehabilitation. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to responsible mining practices and our dedication to working with local communities,” he added.
The rehabilitation programme following test mining trial has seen the site transformed into productive agricultural land, with local farmers already planting and cultivating crops.
Soils remediation work was concluded in December 2024 with landowners accessing the site between December 2024 and January 2025 to plant and cultivate crops without missing a planting season.
A total of 36 farmers were directly affected by the mining trial. These farmers were able to harvest; then compensated for one season’s worth of lost crops to accommodate for the disturbance; provided with job opportunities created by the mining trial; provided with conservation farming support on alternative unaffected farmland; engaged on a continuous basis by the companies Community Liaison Officers; had access to an operational grievance mechanism; were able to plant crops on rehabilitated land; and will be receive compensation for the disturbance during a second year while Sovereign monitors the soil remediation trials.
Vulnerable farmers within this group were identified and were further assisted with a low-intensity vegetable farming program, and food assistance. Sovereign also recruited community road traffic safety agents during the mining trial and worked with local schools to ensure the safety of children and pedestrians given a small increased amount of traffic in the area.
“This mining trial is a demonstration of Sovereign’s commitment to responsible mining,” emphasised Mr Eagar.
“The successful return of farmers to their land within such a short time and without missing a single planting season after mining and backfilling 170,000m3 is an excellent outcome. This demonstration of responsible mining and land rehabilitation will build on our positive community relationships,” said Mr Eagar.
The rehabilitation programme involved a five-step process, including the application of lime to improve soil pH levels, the introduction of carbon and basic nutrients, grading, ripping, and discing, planting of rehabilitation crops, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
All soil remediation works and planting was done by hand with the use of a grader and tractor to prepare the soils. Sovereign appointed the local landowners to work with it in both soil remediation and planting work, so they were able to directly experience and learn about our rehabilitation work
Sovereign is working closely with the landowners to ensure that the crops provide a good yield in 2025 by promoting Conservation Farming techniques, while simultaneously testing a variety of rehabilitation crops. This includes the intercropping of giant bamboo with maize, which will be retained by the landowners.
Under Sovereign’s Conservation Farming programme which commenced during the 2023 planting season, a total of 90 farmers participated. The number of participants increased to 350 for the coming season. Early indications are that the second season will exceed the 300 percent yield increases achieved in the program’s first year, said Sovereign Managing Director and CEO Frank Eagar.
Sovereign is committed to ensuring that all mined-out land is appropriately rehabilitated to support sustainable farming practices after closure. As part of the pilot phase, the company has constructed small rehabilitation demonstration pits that will be used to illustrate multiple and ongoing rehabilitation processes.
This achievement demonstrates Sovereign’s ability to balance economic growth with environmental and social responsibility and the company looks forward to continuing its work in Malawi.
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About Sovereign Services
Sovereign Services is the Malawi operation of Sovereign Metals Limited, which 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.
www.sovereignmetals.com.au
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