Modern Mining April 2023

NICKEL

Lifezone Metals unlocks opportunities for the Modern metals company Lifezone Metals has a majority interest in the Kabanga Project, an exploration-stage initiative located in north-west Tanzania. It comprises one of the world’s largest and highest-grade nickel sulfide deposits and is fast gaining traction as the world clamours for more nickel to feed the clean energy frenzy. By Nelendhre Moodley .

major demand boost from the green transition, with the main supply risk and impediment facing battery players being sufficient Class 1 supply. The Kabanga project will be a mine-to-metal min ing operation producing high-purity nickel, copper and cobalt, with the company targeting manufactur ers in the automotive and battery space. Lifezone Metals CEO, Chris Showalter, explains that the company’s strategy is to unlock and secure world class deposits of metals, and to license its pat ented technologies. “These are essential to clean energy and GHG emissions reductions as the world

T he clean energy drive, underpinned by the global push for a lower carbon footprint, is see ing an uptake of clean energy solutions, which in turn is driving demand for energy metals such as cobalt, nickel, platinum group metals and copper. According to logistics and supply chain solu tions provider, Fitch Solutions, global annual nickel production is set to reach 3.15 mn tonnes (mt) by 2031, up from 2.24 mt in 2021. Battery-grade Class 1 nickel is set to experience a

BHP recently invested $50 million for an increased stake in the project.

Kabanga drill site.

16  MODERN MINING  April 2023