Name of the Project
Enterprise nickel project.

Location
North Western Province, Zambia.

Project Owner/s
First Quantum Minerals (FQM).

Project Description
The project comprises a main openpit and one extension to the south-west.

It will use an existing four-million-tonne-a-year nickel circuit previously built as part of the original Sentinel processing complex.

The main workstream will include the prestrip of waste.

By 2024, the Enterprise operation is expected to deliver between 15 000 t and 20 000 t of nickel from its sulphide circuit, reaching 30 000 t/y by 2025. Over its 11-year life-of-mine, Enterprise is expected to produce about 280 000 t of nickel.

Potential Job Creation
The Enterprise operation has created 929 jobs.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
$100-million.

Planned Start/End Date
FQM approved the project in 2022. Commercial production started in June 2024.

Latest Developments
FQM has declared commercial production at the Enterprise nickel mine as of June 1.

Enterprise produced 6 147 t of nickel during the second quarter, an increase from the 4 031 t produced in the first quarter. FQM has said the first half of the year yielded consistently positive results, meeting expectations and supporting the recommendation to declare commercial production.

The company has noted that mining volumes are steadily improving and that plant performance has been strong.
 
Production guidance for the full year has narrowed to between 17 000 t and 20 000 t (contained) of nickel, from the previously guided 10 000 t to 20 000 t.

FQM has indicated that, over the long term, it will expand its exploration programme in Zambia, with an initial focus on the areas around existing operations, followed by prospective new sites across the country’s mining regions.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
First Quantum Minerals, email info@fqml.com.