Sovereign Services Earns Gov’t Praise for Commitment to Sustainable Mining in Malawi
Sovereign Services has received high commendation from Malawi’s senior government officials for its responsible and sustainable mining approach following a site visit to the company’s rehabilitation trial area.
The tour, conducted by members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) and the Land Access Resettlement Working Group (LARWG), reaffirmed the government’s dedication to promoting environmentally and socially conscious mining investments.
Speaking during the visit, Acting Director of Mines at the Ministry of Mining, Mphatso Chikoti, emphasized the need for multisectoral development, urging mining companies to collaborate with other key industries such as agriculture and tourism.
“Mining cannot take place in a vacuum. It must co-exist with communities and other sectors. Sovereign is demonstrating how land can be successfully rehabilitated after mining, even improved. This is the type of model we encourage others to follow,” said Mr. Chikoti.
He clarified that Sovereign is still operating under an exploration licence and has not yet commenced full-scale mining. The company is currently engaged in feasibility studies and environmental assessments, with all activities closely monitored by the Ministry of Mining.
Commissioner for Estate Management and Evaluation, Mickson Chiundira, also praised the company’s progress, noting the positive transformation of previously mined areas. “Where there were once pits and dams, we now see thriving maize fields. If this is the standard for post-mining rehabilitation, Malawi is on the right path,” he said.
Mr. Chiundira also highlighted the government’s efforts to ensure transparent land acquisition and fair compensation through the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act. “We work to ensure that affected communities are compensated fairly to prevent conflicts and ensure seamless project execution,” he added.
Sovereign’s rehabilitation efforts have restored farmland in time for the planting season and are complemented by broader community support initiatives. These include educational scholarships, conservation agriculture training for hundreds of farmers, and improvements to water access through new and repaired boreholes.
The company’s work is further bolstered by a government-declared Special Planning Area, which supports managed development and controlled land use around the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project. Though still in the engineering and study phase, Sovereign maintains transparency and accountability by engaging communities, issuing regular updates, and operating an accessible grievance mechanism.
Sovereign Services is the Malawi-based arm of Sovereign Metals Limited, which is developing the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project—home to the world’s largest natural rutile deposit and the second-largest flake graphite deposit. These resources are key to the global titanium supply chain and the green energy transition.
