Modern Mining July 2025

QUICKLIME

Firering: becoming a leading supplier of quicklime in Zambia By Nelendhre Moodley With first production of quicklime from its Limeco Project in Zambia under its belt, AIM-listed Firering Strategic Minerals is targeting production ramp-up to 80 t/d of quicklime and gradual start-up of all eight kilns, Independent Non-Executive Director, Vassilios Carellas, tells Modern Mining .

View of the primary crusher, installed at Limeco as part of the 2-stage crushing circuit.

“R eaching first quicklime production at Limeco marks a significant milestone in our journey. Our focus now is on steadily ramping up production to full capacity while ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality quicklime to meet the growing demands of the Central African Copperbelt and agricultural sectors,” says Carellas. Quicklime (calcium oxide) is in deficit in Zambia and currently being imported. The commodity chemical plays a crucial role in copper mining being primarily used for ore processing, pH regulation, and impurity removal, ensuring optimal copper recovery and purity, as well as contributing to responsible tailings management. Firering currently holds a 16.7% interest in Limeco Resources, which is set to increase to 20.5% by the end of April. It also holds an option to acquire an additional 24.5% stake for US$4.65 million, which would bring its total interest to 45%. The remaining shares are held by Kai Group, the majority shareholder, with a minority interest retained by Clearglass Investments. The company is currently optimising the first of its eight kilns, targeting steady-state production by the end of April 2025. It is pursuing a phased ramp-up strategy, aiming to have four kilns in production by year-end, with the remaining four expected to be operational in the first half of 2026. Once fully commissioned, Limeco will become one of the largest producers of quicklime in Zambia, strengthening its position as a key player in the country’s industrial and mining sectors. Discussing the history of the project, Carellas explains that

owing to the quicklime deficit in the country, multinational mining company, Glencore constructed the Limeco Project for its Mopani Copper mine. However, shortly after constructing the facility, Glencore exited Zambia. “Although Glencore constructed the plant over five years ago, it has never been operated. In fact, before Glencore exited the country, it ran a commissioning process of Kiln 1 for six months during which time the copper miner identified a number of issues that needed to be addressed. As it stands, the facility is almost brand new, having never actually been used. Firering has since addressed the issues identified during the Glencore commissioning process and is now going through an optimisation process before becoming fully operational.” With over $100 million in historical investment, the project is strategically positioned to support expanding copper production in the African Copper Belt, which is currently reliant on domestic sources of quicklime as well as imports from South Africa. In addition to supplying high spec product to the mining industry, Firering has options to supply product to the fertilizer, chemical and construction industries. “Firering’s Limeco project is a Tier One resource with an above 95% calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) that enables a high specification (spec) quicklime product to be produced for the market. High-quality quicklime commands a premium price and is suitable for several industries, including the fertilizer industry,” explains Carellas.

12  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | JULY 2025