Lifezone Metals receives licence for Tanzania nickel project

The Kabanga Nickel Project is located in the north-west Tanzania and is believed to be one of the world’s largest and highest-grade undeveloped nickel sulfide deposits. The Kahama Multi-Metal Processing Facility site is located approximately 340 km south-west of Kabanga. Lifezone’s subsidiary, Tembo Nickel Corporation Ltd. is the operating entity for Kabanga and Kahama, and is 16% owned by the Government of Tanzania.

Notably, through the application of Lifezone’s Hydromet Technology, Kabanga and Kahama will be able to produce finished metals in-country, potentially reducing capital and operating costs, as well as reducing costs associated with transport of concentrate or other intermediate products. Full in-country beneficiation will contribute towards local content optimisation and eventually national development through the principle of equitable sharing of economic benefits. A Definitive Feasibility Study for the Kabanga Nickel Project remains on track for completion by 3Q24.

Lifezone Metals’ Hydromet Technology is a transformational method of metals recovery that has the potential to replace smelting for base and precious metals refining. Pyrometallurgical smelting is one of the largest contributors to pollutive gas emissions, greenhouse gases, and energy inefficiency in the production of metals products and the use of Hydromet Technology will help to unlock nickel, copper, and cobalt from Kabanga, providing lower cost, lower emissions (relative to smelting), and traceable metals for electric vehicle batteries and to support the global energy transition. Mr. Showalter stated: “The ongoing level of commitment and support that we have received from the Government of Tanzania in the advancement of our Kabanga Nickel Project is exemplary. With the receipt of our Kabanga Special Mining Licence, and now the Kahama Refinery Licence, we have a clear path to delivering a direct-to-metal solution and enabling the production of nickel, copper, and cobalt in Tanzania and by Tanzanians.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Minerals, Hon. Anthony Mavunde stated (translated from Swahili): “The construction of a multi-metals refinery will be a solution to metals mining companies in the country that are forced to export concentrates to refineries abroad. I urge all miners who have been experiencing this challenge to work closely with the Government to ensure that full in-country beneficiation is achieved in the mining sector, by processing in-country and exporting finished products. […] Today’s event is a historical one for our country, as we progress to having a large multi-metal refinery that will use hydrometallurgy technology.”

In addition, the Shinyanga Regional Commissioner, Hon. Anamringi Macha said (translated from Swahili): “The investment by Tembo Nickel’s Multi-Metals Refinery will help change the face of the Kahama district and the Shinyanga Region by increasing formal and informal employment opportunities for citizens, but it is also another step in the history of Shinyanga region; where the mining sector has played a major role in the economic development of our region.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/handling-processing/25032024/lifezone-metals-receives-licence-for-tanzania-nickel-project/