Name of the Project
Kabanga nickel project.

Location
Ngara district of the Kagera region, western Tanzania.

Project Owner/s
Kabanga Nickel, a subsidiary of Lifezone Metals and BHP.

Project Description
Lifezone Metals believes that the project contains one of the world’s largest and highest-grade nickel sulphide deposits.

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.

Lifezone intends to use its proprietary hydrometallurgical process technology – Hydromet Technology – at the project, noting that it has the potential to be a more cost-efficient alternative to conventional smelting, with a significantly lower environmental impact.

A definitive feasibility study for the mine-to-metals project is due for completion in 2024.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Societe Generale is the project’s lead financial adviser.

Planned Start/End Date
First production is targeted for 2025.

Latest Developments
Japanese government agency Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (Jogmec) is considering signing up as a strategic partner.

Lifezone has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Jogmec, which is aiming to secure cleaner metals for the Japanese battery industry.

Compared with traditional smelting methods, Lifezone’s Hydromet technology is expected to reduce the Kabanga project’s emissions. 

“With BHP as our project development partner, Societe Generale as our lead financial adviser for the project financing process, the support of the US International Development Finance Corporation and the government of Tanzania, and now strategic cooperation with Jogmec . . . we see a clear indication of intent to drive this globally significant project forward to the benefit of all partners and stakeholders,” Lifezone CEO Chris Showalter has said.

Under the terms of the MoU, Lifezone will collaborate with Jogmec to facilitate the supply of metals from Kabanga – through Lifezone’s portion of marketing rights – to Japan’s growing battery market, ensuring a sustainable and traceable metals value chain.

The MoU is nonbinding and imposes no obligations on either party.

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.