Photo by: Lifezone Metals
Name of the Project
Kabanga nickel project.
Location
Ngara district of the Kagera region, in western Tanzania.
Project Owner/s
Lifezone Metals.
Project Description
Kabanga is the biggest development-ready nickel sulphide deposit in the world.
The project will be a cradle-to-gate mining operation, producing Class 1 nickel, cobalt and copper refined metals by adopting a hydrometallurgical processing technology that is more cost efficient than smelting and has a significantly lower environmental impact.
The project, which has a life-of-mine of more than 30 years, aims to produce a minimum of 65 000 t/y of nickel equivalent, with further exploration upside potential.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.
Capital Expenditure
Kabanga Nickel announced in January 2022 that BHP would make a $90-million investment in the company to accelerate the development of the project. BHP’s initial investment will be $40-million, which will be converted into an 8.9% equity stake in Kabaga Nickel once approvals and conditions are met. Once invested, and on conversion, the second tranche of $50-million will increase BHP’s equity stake to 17.8%, thereby valuing the project at $658-million. BHP will secure the right to make a further investment in Kabanga Nickel subject to achieving certain agreed milestones.
Planned Start/End Date
First production is targeted for 2025.
Latest Developments
Test results have indicated that the nickel concentrate from Lifezone Metals’ Kabanga nickel project, is amenable to processing using the company’s proprietary hydrometallurgical (hydromet) technology, with pressure oxidation (Pox) leach extractions for nonoptimised test results equal to or more than 98.5% nickel.
The hydromet technology has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions in battery metals refining, compared with traditional smelting and refining, Lifezone said on February 7.
Two Pox leach tests were conducted to provide a preliminary indication of refinery metal recoveries. Pox leach extractions for these nonoptimised tests were 99% nickel, 97% copper and 98% cobalt for Pox test 1, and 99% nickel, 99% copper and 99% cobalt for Pox test 2.
Metallurgical test work will continue for the concentrator confirmation test work and development of the refinery flowsheet.
Further, planning for Kabanga’s early works programme is progressing, which includes an aerodrome and internal roads infrastructure. The programme also includes the resource definition drilling programme on the North and Tembo portions of the Kabanga orebody to support the geological resource model and mine planning for the definitive feasibility study.
Meanwhile, the results of recent drilling at Kabanga have remained largely consistent with location, thickness and tenor of previous results from historical drilling.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
DRA Global (definitive feasibility study consulting engineer); and OreWin (lead mining consultant and qualified persons).
Contact Details for Project Information
Lifezone Metals, email info@lifezonemetals.com.