Studies have highlighted the potential for high-grade, natural rutile from Sovereign’s Kasiya project in Malawi to reduce global titanium industry carbon emissions.

Life Cycle Assessment Studies by UK based consultancy Minviro Ltd found that using natural rutile – the rarest and highest grade source of titanium – could reduce emissions by displacing and substantially reducing the use of carbon-intensive upgraded alternatives.

This is in line with the titanium pigment industry’s push to reduce carbon footprints and energy consumption while moving towards renewable energy and waste mineralisation.

Sovereign Metals (ASX:SVM) notes that up to 2.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent could be saved for every tonne of natural rutile used instead of ilmenite that has been upgraded into high grade titanium feedstocks like titania slag and synthetic rutile through the use of smelting and chemical processes.

“The Minviro Studies confirm the positive CO2 impact of unlocking a new, globally significant source of direct feed natural rutile,” Sovereign’s newly appointed ESG Advisory Committee chair Ben Stoikovich said.

“We now have validation of the potential importance of Sovereign’s natural rutile to responsible investors and titanium industry companies needing to lower their carbon footprint.

“Our natural rutile deposits could help meet the growing demand for low carbon titanium feedstock throughout the titanium industry supply chain.”

The potential for Sovereign’s large-scale Kasiya and Nsaru deposits to displace upgraded alternatives is significant given that natural rutile makes up just 26 per cent of the 2.5 million tonne per annum market.

Kasiya and Nsaru rutile

Sovereign recently outlined the Nsaru discovery following a successful drilling program that returned high-grade rutile hits such as 12m at 1.15 per cent rutile including 3m at 2.05 per cent rutile and 13m at 1.27 per cent rutile.

The area of drilled mineralisation to date is around 25sqkm, which adds to the nearby 66sqkm Kasiya project.

Work is currently underway to define a JORC resource for Kasiya.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Sovereign Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

 

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