The testwork facilities round a proprietary processing know-how generally known as Hydromet, which is claimed to have a decrease carbon footprint than the standard pyrometallurgical smelting technique. Prior checks utilizing this technique have demonstrated nickel recoveries of over 98.5%.
“This accomplishment, ensuing from in depth check work at our in-house laboratory, displays our dedication to innovation and bringing this world-class useful resource to market,” Lifezone CEO Chris Showalter stated in a information launch.
“This success highlights the effectiveness of our hydrometallurgical strategies and our dedication to sustainable metallic manufacturing,” added Mike Adams, chief know-how officer. “The pilot plant’s efficiency has been exemplary, carefully matching our course of simulation fashions, and we’re optimistic in regards to the constructive affect this can have on the Kabanga nickel undertaking.”
Shares of Lifezone Metals, nevertheless, have been down by 7.0% in New York on the information, with a market capitalization of $634.5 million.
Massive nickel sulphide
The Kabanga undertaking represents one of many largest and highest-grade undeveloped nickel sulphide sources on the earth, in response to the corporate. To this point, it has seen over 583 km of exploration and appraisal drilling, with greater than $293 million spent by previous house owners (Glencore and Barrick) to precisely delineate the ore physique.
In 2021, Lifezone – then a privately owned firm – took over the undertaking and has since obtained its mining licence and gained the backing of BHP, the world’s largest mining firm, who now owns a stake within the undertaking.
The deposit is estimated to include 881,000 tonnes of nickel metallic inside 43.6 million tonnes of measured and indicated useful resource grading 2.02% nickel, plus 391,000 tonnes of nickel metallic (17.5 million tonnes at 2.23%) within the inferred useful resource class.
Growth of the undertaking, which may also embrace a Hydromet refinery at Kahama, Tanzania, is predicted to take two phases, with 1.7 million tonnes mined per yr in Section 1 and one other 1.7 million tonnes added in Section 2. The specifics can be included in a definitive feasibility examine, which Lifezone goals to finish this quarter.