PERTH (miningweekly.com) – An independent study on the logistics and infrastructure solution for the Kasiya rutile project, in Malawi, has confirmed owner Sovereign Metals’ prefered logistics route through the Nacala logistics corridor (NCL) and exporting from the deep-water Port of Nacala.
The study pointed out that the NLC transported a daily average of 16 000 t of coal and 1 150 t of other cargo, operating a fleet of 101 locomotives and 2 677 wagons in 2020, with the corridor significantly underutilised, with only 15% of the rail freight capacity currently in use, and only 41% of the deep-water port.
“The exceptional established infrastructure in Malawi should result in a positive capital and operating cost outcome for Kasiya,” said Sovereign MD Dr Julian Stephens.
“The availability of existing road, rail and port infrastructure for product export and project supplies imports provides a huge advantage for our world-class Kasiya rutile project.”
Sovereign is currently undertaking a scoping study for the Kasiya project, which is due for completion in late 2021. The project has a mineral resource estimate of some 644-million tonnes, at 1.01% rutile, including a high-grade component of 137-million tonnes at 1.41% rutile, marking it as one of the largest natural rutile deposits in the world.