Latest test results show that minerals to be extracted from Kasiya Graphite Mine in Lilongwe would be suitable for manufacturing a wide range of products, including in the high-purity minerals markets.
The results show that Kasiya coarse flake graphite can be purified using acid or alkaline purification to a level suitable for use in high margin applications including high-grade expanded
graphite products such as foils or sheets. This comes at a time Sovereign Metals Limited chief executive officer Frank Eagar told an investor conference last year that total revenue for its Kasiya Rutile and Graphite Project is at $16.4 billion (about K28 trillion).
Kasiya graphite initial tests also showed superior quality graphite results with low impurity graphite, which is ideal for anodes that can be used in car and industrial batteries.
Reads part of the report: “Successful purification of Kasiya’s coarse flake graphite via two methods showcases potential for future downstream customers to reduce reagent consumption and waste generation.”
The report further shows that these applications require less than one percent ash in coarse flake graphite, which is a loss of purity of more than 99 percent.
Reads the report in part: “Sovereign engaged ProGraphite GmbH to conduct the test work using coarse flake graphite from Kasiya and to investigate acid and alkaline purification alternatives under conditions typically used to achieve the +99 percent loss of ignition [LOI] target.
“Purification of Kasiya coarse flake achieved 99.95 percent LOI purity using acid purification and 99.98 percent LOI purity using alkaline purification, which is significantly higher than the 99 percent target.”
Sovereign Metals managing director and chief executive officer Frank Eagar is quoted in the report as having described the results as outstanding.
He said: “This is yet further confirmation that Kasiya graphite concentrate is a premium graphite suitable for the anode, refractory, expandables and now also the high-purity powder metallurgy markets.
“We are delighted with the significant commercial optionality it brings to the Kasiya Rutile and Graphite Project.”
An anode is a negative electrode and is one of the essential parts of a battery used to convert electronic energy into x-radiation.
Geologist and former minister of Energy Grain Malunga said the country needs to make serious investments in the extractive industry, calling for development of laboratories.
“We have to find a way of raising money to have these facilities like laboratories in place and we can leverage current mining projects. It is more expensive to ship samples to South Africa, which is more than the value of the sample itself,” he said.
Sovereign Metals said with Kasiya’s incremental production cost at $241 (about K421 750) per tonne, the project is well-positioned to yield substantial profit margins, making it an attractive opportunity for local and international investors.
But Minority Shareholders Association of Listed Companies (Malisacho), who have been advocating for local participation in large-scale mining, has urged the Ministry of Mining to push for dual listing of mining companies on the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) to bolster local participation in large-scale mining.
Dual listing would imply that companies operating large-scale mines in Malawi would be required to list on MSE.
Misalico secretary general Frank Harawa said: “We want these large-scale mining companies to list on the MSE so that Malawians from all walks of life should have an opportunity to own shares. Let them raise capital locally in Malawi kwacha.”
In the 2024/25 fiscal year that ends on March 31, Ministry of Mining finalised and signed two Mining Development Agreements with Lotus Resources Limited for the recommissioning of the Kayelekera Uranium Mining Project in Karonga mid this year and Lancaster Exploration Limited for the Songwe Hill Rare Earth Elements Mining Project in Phalombe district.
In the 2024/25 fiscal year, the Ministry of Mining was projected to raise K1 billion in mining royalties, according to the Malawi Government Annual Economic Report 2025.
In 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years, the Ministry of Mining is expected to collect K1.2 billion and MK1.5 billion in revenues, respectively due to the prospects of oil and gas in the country.
