Overview
Stage | Pre-Feasibility |
Mine Type | Open Pit |
Commodities |
|
Mining Method |
|
Mine Life | 25 years (as of Jan 1, 2023) |
Kasiya is the largest natural rutile deposit and the second-largest flake graphite deposit in the world. Sovereign aims to develop a low-CO2 and sustainable operation to supply highly sought-after natural rutile and graphite to global markets.
Sovereign advanced optimisation test work and technical studies for the Kasiya rutilegraphite project with the strategic investor, Rio Tinto. Under the Investment Agreement, Rio Tinto will provide assistance and advice on technical and marketing aspects of Kasiya. |
Source:
p. 67
The Sovereign owns 100% of the Kasiya Project.
Contractors
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Summary:
A particular paragneiss unit rich in rutile and graphite is the primary source of both minerals. The high-grade rutile deposit at Kasiya is best described as a residual placer. It is formed by weathering of the primary paragneiss host rock and concentration in place of the heavy minerals such as rutile, as opposed to the high-energy transport and concentration of heavy minerals in a traditional placer.
Rutile mineralisation lies in laterally extensive, near surface, flat “blanket” style bodies in areas where the weathering profile is preserved and not significantly eroded. Kasiya shows widespread, high-grade mineralisation commonly grading 1.2% to 2.0% rutile in the top 3-5m from surface. Moderate grade mineralisation generally grading 0.5% to 1.2% rutile commonly extends from 5m to the base of the soft saprolite unit to generally 20-25m depth where it terminates on the hard saprock basement.
Graphite generally occurs in broad association with rutile. However, it is depleted in the top 3-5m and therefore can often show an inverse grade relationship with rutile in the near-surface zones. At depths generally greater than 5m a more consistent rutile-graphite grade relationship exists.
The low-grade graphite mineralisation occurs as multiple bands of graphite gneisses, hosted within a broader Proterozoic paragneiss package. In the Kasiya areas specifically, the preserved weathering profile hosts significant vertical thicknesses, from near surfac ........
Summary:
Sovereign performed testwork on ROM material and conducted an independent assessment and trade-off analysis for several common mining methods. The outcomes of this work performed resulted in hydro mining being determined as the optimal method for mining soft, friable pedolith and saprolite of the Kasiya rutile-graphite deposit.
The preference for hydro mining at Kasiya is due to the consistent particle size distribution through the Ore Reserve, favourable operating and capital costs, low carbon footprint and air pollution (low dust and no diesel emissions) as well as the support infrastructure and water availability in the project area.
The Project will utilise hydro mining as the primary mining methodology for extraction of the Ore Reserve. Hydro mining uses high-pressure jets of water to dislodge loose, friable material types such as the pedolith and saprolite at Kasiya. The resulting slurry is then transported to the processing facility via a network of pipelines/pumps designed by Paterson and Cooke.
Dry methods are required to push approximately 11% of the Ore Reserve material prior to hydro-mining. These are the “basins” of the hydro mining areas which need selective “floor clean-up” dozer pushing.
The pedolith and saprolite-hosted mineralisation at Kasiya is largely homogenous and has relatively consistent physical properties throughout the MRE and contained Ore Reserve. The material competence is described as loose and friabl ........
Source:
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Flow Sheet:
Summary:
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Source:
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Projected Production:
Commodity | Units | Avg. Annual |
Rutile
|
kt
| 222 |
Graphite
|
kt
| ...... |
All production numbers are expressed as concentrate.
Operational Metrics:
Metrics | |
Annual ore mining rate
| ...... |
Annual processing rate
| ...... |
Annual processing capacity
| ...... |
* According to 2023 study.
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Reserves at September 28, 2023:
The selected cut-off grades are above the final project breakeven cut-off grade of approximately 0.40% rutile.
Kasiya Mineral Resource Estimate at 0.7% Rutile Cut-off.
Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves.
Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade | Contained Metal |
Probable
|
538 Mt
|
Rutile
|
1.03 %
|
5.5 Mt
|
Probable
|
538 Mt
|
Total Graphitic Carbon
|
1.66 %
|
8.9 Mt
|
Probable
|
538 Mt
|
Rutile Equivalent
|
2 %
|
|
Total Resource
|
1,809 Mt
|
Rutile
|
1 %
|
17.9 Mt
|
Total Resource
|
1,809 Mt
|
Total Graphitic Carbon
|
1.4 %
|
24.4 Mt
|
Total Resource
|
1,809 Mt
|
Rutile Equivalent
|
1.8 %
|
|
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