Sovereign Metals announces that the latest testwork on graphite from its Kasiya rutile/graphite project, in Malawi, has delivered “highly successful” results.

The testwork focused on optimising the coating process for conversion of Kasiya-derived spherical purified graphite (SPG) to coated spherical purified graphite (CSPG) while maintaining premium performance.

Optimisation testwork conducted by consulting services provider Prographite has demonstrated the characteristics of Kasiya graphite for CSPG production.

The optimisation process successfully achieved target coating specifications and optimised inputs into the coating process while maintaining the premium performance metrics that position Kasiya graphite among the highest-quality sources globally, Sovereign avers.

“Kasiya remains a primary rutile project, but our ability to also produce exceptional CSPG with world-class performance characteristics from our natural graphite concentrate is a further demonstration of the geopolitically strategic nature of Kasiya,” CEO and MD Frank Eagar says.

Pitch coating is a standard refinement process where carbon-rich pitch material is applied to spherical graphite particles to create protective layers that enhance battery performance and longevity, turning SPG into CSPG.

The latest testwork systematically evaluated pitch content to achieve optimal performance parameters.

The results are expected to assist with ongoing offtake discussions with anode manufacturers.

The company highlights that the results come at a time of “unprecedented disruption” in global graphite markets, with market dynamics impacted by new US Commerce Department 93.5% anti-dumping duties on Chinese graphite imports.

Sovereign says it is developing Kasiya to potentially become the world’s largest and lowest-cost natural graphite producer outside of China.

The company posits that Kasiya offers supply chain diversification opportunity for battery manufacturers who are seeking alternatives amid 160% effective tariffs on graphite sourced from China.