Sovereign: Malawi Rutile Province Continues to Expand with Latest Drilling Results from Nsaru
18 August 2021 - Sovereign Metals Limited (the Company or Sovereign) is pleased to report further drilling results from the recently discovered Nsaru rutile deposit within the Malawi rutile province. Nsaru is located adjacent to, and within the same geological domain as Kasiya where the Company recently reported the maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 644Mt at 1.01% rutile.
Step-out drilling has increased the Nsaru rutile-mineralised footprint to 40km2 (from 25km2 previously). Overall, the Company’s drilling at Kasiya and Nsaru has now defined a very large-scale area of high-grade rutile at 129km2. The Kasiya JORC MRE covers just 38% of this area, offering substantial resource growth potential.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Phase 2 drilling confirms and expands the high-grade rutile discovery at Nsaru
- A total of 98 exploration holes were drilled to depths of up to 14m. 94 holes showed high-grade rutile with very high-grades shown consistently in the top 3-5m from surface including;
- 11m @ 1.29% inc. 5m @ 1.55% rutile
- 10m @ 1.51% inc. 3m @ 1.99% rutile
- 10m @ 1.51% inc. 4m @ 2.14% rutile
- 8m @ 1.25% inc. 5m @ 1.43% rutile
- 7m @ 1.18% inc. 4m @ 1.55% rutile
- 11m @ 1.17% inc. 4m @ 1.53% rutile
- 10m @ 1.14% inc. 5m @ 1.37% rutile
- 10m @ 1.08% inc. 4m @ 1.46% rutile
- 10m @ 1.14% inc. 7m @ 1.38% rutile
- 12m @ 1.16% inc. 4m @ 1.51% rutile
- 10m @ 1.15% inc. 5m @ 1.36% rutile
- 9m @ 1.32% inc. 5m @ 1.59% rutile
- 10m @ 1.17% inc. 2m @ 1.41% rutile
- 6m @ 1.13% inc. 2m @ 2.14% rutile
- Nsaru now shows consistent high-grade rutile mineralisation from surface with lateral widths of up to 9.0km across and a current strike length of about 11.5km.
- The high-grade rutile envelope remains open to the north toward Kasiya and to the south.
- The area of drilled mineralisation to date at Nsaru has grown from 25km2 to 40km2 – a 37% increase.
- Combined with Kasiya’s footprint of 89km2 this gives a total mineralised area of 129km2. Only 49km2 (or 38%) of this area is in the current Kasiya MRE offering significant resource growth potential.
Sovereign’s Managing Director Dr Julian Stephens commented:
“The high-grade Nsaru rutile deposit builds on and continues to validate our view that we have discovered one of the world’s largest and most strategic natural rutile provinces. In parallel with the Company’s primary Scoping Study objectives at Kasiya, the team is rapidly progressing resource drilling at Nsaru in preparation for a JORC resource estimate toward the end of the year. This is an important step toward the Company’s objective of becoming a future supplier of premium grade natural rutile to the global titanium markets.”
Figure 1. Drill-hole location map showing the extensive and consistent high-grade rutile mineralisation at Nsaru.
ENQUIRIES
Dr Julian Stephens (Perth)
Managing Director
+61(8) 9322 6322
Sam Cordin (Perth)
+61(8) 9322 6322
Sapan Ghai (London)
+44 207 478 3900
NSARU RUTILE DISCOVERY
Nsaru was identified by the Company’s geological team as an area with strong potential for rutile mineralisation using the proprietary geological exploration targeting model developed in-house by Sovereign. Nsaru is located within just a few kilometres of the large and high-grade Kasiya rutile deposit and may eventually link up with Kasiya once more drilling has been completed.
Initially, 39 wide-spaced, reconnaissance hand-auger holes were drilled in Phase 1 for a total of 371m to test Nsaru. A further 98 holes for 842m in Phase 2 are reported now (Figure 1). This infill and extensional drilling program has continued to intersect high-grade rutile mineralisation generally from surface to up to 14m depth. In some zones, high-grade rutile remains open at depth with these zones also developing good coherency along strike.
Figure 2. Map of new mineralised area at Nsaru showing its relationship to the large Kasiya rutile deposit.
Nsaru now shows a high-grade mineralised envelope with widths of up to 9.0km across and a strike length of about 11.5km. Mineralisation remains open along strike to the north and to the south at its widest zone. The area of high-grade rutile mineralisation identified by drilling to date at Nsaru is now approximately 40km2.
When added to the mineralised area at Kasiya of 89km2, Sovereign’s total high-grade mineralised footprint is now approximately 129km2. Just 38% of this area is currently classified within the Kasiya MRE, suggesting significant resource growth potential.
The Company has commenced a systematic drill program at Nsaru aimed at bringing the drill spacing down to 400m by 400m to incorporate the results into a future MRE. A 100+ hole core drilling program has also been planned for completion at Nsaru later in the year to bring higher-grade areas to the JORC Indicated category.
FORWARD PLAN
The JORC MRE released in June 2021 confirmed Kasiya as one of the world’s largest undeveloped rutile deposits. The Company’s next major technical milestone is the Kasiya Scoping Study (Study) with completion targeted for late 2021. The objective is to develop a large-scale, long life, environmentally sustainable and socially responsible natural rutile operation.
In addition to the Study and supporting activities, the Company has the following work programs underway:
- +2,000m core drilling program ongoing at Kasiya targeting Indicated JORC MRE category to feed into the Study.
- Continued extensional and infill drilling at Nsaru and the broader surrounding area to identify extensions, discover new regional mineralised zones.
- Further metallurgical test-work has now commenced on a bulk representative sample from Kasiya.
- Investigation and further test-work for a potential coarse-flake graphite by-product from Kasiya.
Figure 3. Drone image at the Nsaru area showing typical flat and open landscape of central Malawi.
DRILL RESULTS
Drilling results from Phase 2 at Nsaru are shown below in Table 1.
Hole ID
Interval Thickness
Rutile %
From (m) Downhole
Comments
Purpose
NSHA0040
5
0.59
surface
exploration
NSHA0041
10
0.87
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.11
surface
NSHA0042
10
0.86
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.17
surface
NSHA0043
5
0.88
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
2
1.15
surface
NSHA0044
7
1.07
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.26
surface
NSHA0045
11
0.95
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.02
surface
NSHA0046
4
0.60
surface
exploration
NSHA0047
11
1.08
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.35
surface
NSHA0048
5
1.28
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0049
11
0.92
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.24
surface
NSHA0050
3
1.00
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0051
11
1.29
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.55
surface
NSHA0052
4
1.12
surface
exploration
NSHA0053
3
0.68
surface
exploration
NSHA0054
5
1.31
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
3
1.56
surface
NSHA0055
10
1.08
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.23
6m
NSHA0056
10
1.51
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
3
1.99
surface
NSHA0057
5
0.70
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0058
10
0.85
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.11
surface
NSHA0059
4
0.88
surface
exploration
NSHA0060
10
1.51
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
2.14
surface
NSHA0061
8
1.25
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.43
surface
NSHA0062
4
1.65
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0063
5
1.22
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0064
6
0.99
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
2
1.52
surface
NSHA0065
7
1.10
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
3
1.32
surface
NSHA0066
5
0.98
surface
exploration
NSHA0067
7
1.18
surface
exploration
incl
4
1.55
surface
NSHA0068
10
0.97
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
2
1.04
surface
NSHA0069
4
0.57
3m
exploration
NSHA0070
10
0.79
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
2
1.37
surface
NSHA0071
4
0.67
surface
exploration
NSHA0072
5
1.03
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.13
surface
NSHA0073
8
1.04
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.15
surface
NSHA0074
11
1.17
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.53
surface
NSHA0075
10
1.11
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
3
1.33
surface
NSHA0076
11
0.96
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.22
surface
NSHA0077
6
0.92
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.01
surface
NSHA0078
8
0.83
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
2
1.26
surface
NSHA0079
4
1.21
surface
exploration
NSHA0080
no significant results
exploration
NSHA0081
no significant results
exploration
NSHA0082
no significant results
exploration
NSHA0083
9
0.74
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0084
8
0.85
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.04
surface
NSHA0085
10
0.74
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0086
2
0.54
surface
exploration
NSHA0087
5
0.83
4m
open at depth
exploration
incl
1
1.08
8m
NSHA0088
5
1.13
surface
exploration
NSHA0089
10
1.14
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.37
surface
NSHA0090
2
1.24
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0091
no significant results
exploration
NSHA0092
4
0.62
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0093
4
1.41
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0094
10
1.08
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.46
surface
NSHA0095
10
1.14
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
7
1.38
surface
NSHA0096
5
0.63
surface
exploration
NSHA0097
7.5
1.21
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.51
surface
NSHA0098
9
1.22
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.62
surface
NSHA0099
10
0.99
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.28
surface
NSHA0100
5
1.22
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
2
1.61
surface
NSHA0101
6
1.00
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
3
1.38
surface
NSHA0102
11
0.91
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.05
surface
NSHA0103
5
0.59
surface
exploration
NSHA0104
2
1.38
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0105
11
0.88
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.19
surface
NSHA0106
12
0.99
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.17
surface
NSHA0107
4
0.83
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0108
7
1.04
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.37
surface
NSHA0109
12
1.16
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.51
surface
NSHA0110
10
0.94
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.06
surface
NSHA0111
4
1.00
surface
exploration
NSHA0112
10
1.06
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
3
1.41
surface
NSHA0113
10
0.85
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
3
1.00
7m
NSHA0114
2
2.50
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0115
7
1.02
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0116
10
1.15
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.36
surface
NSHA0117
7
1.08
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0118
5
0.82
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0119
11
1.16
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.49
surface
NSHA0120
9
1.32
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.59
surface
NSHA0121
10
1.17
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
2
1.41
8m
NSHA0122
12
1.07
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.34
surface
NSHA0123
6
0.95
surface
exploration
NSHA0124
3
0.50
surface
exploration
NSHA0125
3
0.64
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0126
9
0.89
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0127
12
0.80
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.10
surface
NSHA0128
13
0.85
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.01
surface
NSHA0129
13
0.98
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
7
1.12
surface
NSHA0130
11
0.82
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.14
surface
NSHA0131
5
0.76
surface
open at depth
exploration
NSHA0132
6
0.95
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
3
1.08
surface
NSHA0133
8
1.19
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
5
1.28
surface
NSHA0134
6
1.13
surface
exploration
incl
2
2.14
surface
NSHA0135
11
0.84
surface
open at depth
exploration
incl
4
1.07
7m
NSHA0136
4
0.83
surface
exploration
NSHA0137
5
0.95
surface
exploration
Table 1.
Competent Person’s Statement
The information in this announcement that relates to Exploration Results is based on information compiled by Dr Julian Stephens, a Competent Person who is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG). Dr Stephens is the Managing Director of Sovereign Metals Limited and a holder of ordinary shares, unlisted performance rights and unlisted options in Sovereign Metals Limited. Dr Stephens has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Dr Stephens consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
The information in the announcement that refers to the Kasiya MRE is extracted from an announcement dated 9 June 2021. This announcement is available to view on the Company’s website at www.sovereignmetals.com.au. The information in the original ASX Announcement that related to Mineral Resources were based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr Richard Stockwell, a Competent Person, who is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG). Mr Stockwell is a principal of Placer Consulting Pty Ltd, an independent consulting company. Mr Stockwell has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity he is undertaking, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. The Company confirms that a) it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement; b) all material assumptions included in the original announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed; and c) the form and context in which the Competent Person’s findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original announcement.
Forward Looking Statement
This release may include forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "projects", "plans", and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on Sovereign’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Sovereign, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Sovereign makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this release, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of that release.
This announcement has been approved and authorised for release by the Company’s Managing Director, Julian Stephens.
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