Aggregate production at Limeco in Zambia achieves nameplate capacity

Aggregate production at Limeco in Zambia achieves nameplate capacity

Firering Strategic Minerals’ strategy drives efficiency.

Firering Strategic Minerals plc, an emerging quicklime production and critical mineral exploration company, has provided an update regarding production of its key ancillary product, aggregate, at its quicklime project in Zambia.

According to the company aggregate production has reached nameplate capacity in line with strategy to create multiple revenue streams. Over 30,000 tonnes per month of aggregate are now capable of being produced while aggregate production increased 58.9% to 84,702 tonnes in Q4 2024 compared to Q3 2024.

According to Yuval Cohen, CEO of Firering, first production of core quicklime product is imminent.

Milestones at Firering

“While our primary focus remains on scaling up production of our core quicklime product to reach full capacity by year-end, we are equally pleased to have already achieved nameplate capacity for aggregate production.

“This milestone follows the successful completion of renovations to the crushing plant, enabling us to stockpile crushed limestone while optimising the use of the waste stream for aggregate production. This not only enhances operational efficiency and delivers strong cash flow but also significantly reduces waste, reflecting our commitment to sustainable practices,” says Cohen.

Excellent progress 

Firering continues to make excellent progress advancing Limeco with first production of its core quicklime product imminent. When fully commissioned, the operation will be able to produce 600-800 tpd quicklime over a +50-year life of mine which will make Limeco the largest quicklime operation in Zambia, well positioned to support the Copperbelt’s rapidly expanding copper production needs.

Additionally, in line with its strategy to create multiple revenue streams, production of aggregate, with the benefit of a new primary crusher installed in July 2024, has also been ramping up. Having completed renovations to the crushing plant, production of aggregate has reached nameplate capacity of 350,000 tonnes per annum. Aggregate sold to date is being consumed by local industrial companies.

Firering Strategic Minerals plc, an AIM-listed resource company, is positioned to scale up production in 2025 at its quicklime project in Zambia to produce 600-800 tonnes of quicklime daily along with a range of ancillary products.

With over US$100 million in historical investment, the project is strategically positioned to support the expanding copper producers in the Zambian Copper Belt, which are currently reliant on imported quicklime from South Africa.

Firering is also advancing the Atex Lithium-Tantalum Project in northern Côte d’Ivoire, an exploration project rich in lithium and tantalum-niobium, with drilling results indicating significant resource potential in this established mining jurisdiction.

Aggregate production at Limeco in Zambia achieves nameplate capacity