The Board of Directors of the Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority (MMRA), led by the Chairperson Dr Zuze Dulanya, on Friday visited the Kasiya Rutile and Graphite Project to appreciate the progress of the project being implemented by Sovereign Services Limited.

During the visit, the Board was taken through the various stages involved in the collection, preparation and testing of mineral samples as part of the ongoing exploration and development activities at the Kasiya Rutile and Graphite Project.

The Board also visited a rehabilitation site in Kasiya, where members appreciated the ongoing land restoration efforts following the project’s exploration phase.

Speaking after the visit, MMRA Board Chairperson Dr Zuze Dulanya commended Sovereign Services Limited for the significant work and commitment demonstrated through the project, as well as for securing support from local communities.

He emphasised that any development should ultimately benefit the people who have long been custodians of the area’s natural resources.

He said the government’s priority is to ensure that benefits flow back to these communities and that they fully share in the project’s success.

“The Kasiya Rutile and Graphite Project has gained global recognition as a world-class resource, which is a major achievement but also brings high expectations from both local communities and the nation. As a result, the government is taking a close interest in the project and expects it to deliver meaningful outcomes,” Dr Dulanya said.

The Chairperson therefore stressed the need for Sovereign Services Limited to maintain high standards, not only regionally but also globally, given the project’s international profile.

In his remarks, Sovereign Services Limited Country Manager Maxwell Kazako expressed his appreciation for the Board’s continued involvement, noting that regular engagements would be essential as project activities expand.

“Our efforts are aimed at advancing the goals of Malawi 2063, particularly through investments in the mining sector. We are confident that by 2030, this project will help strengthen the economy and contribute to addressing foreign exchange shortages and other economic challenges facing the country,” Kazako said.

He therefore called for continued support from government institutions to address challenges and maximise the project’s contribution to national development.