In 2021 Lifezone acquired the Kabanga Nickel Project in North-West Tanzania. Kabanga has an historical Mineral Resource estimate attributable to Lifezone of 44 million tonnes at an average in-situ nickel grade of 2.61%, plus 0.35% copper and 0.19% cobalt. Prevailing in-situ Ni-equivalent grade is 3.28% and Ni-equivalent metal content is 3,211 million lbs., including cobalt and copper.
Test results have indicated that the nickel concentrate is amenable to processing using the company’s proprietary hydrometallurgical (hydromet) technology, with pressure oxidation (Pox) leach extractions for non-optimised test results equal to or more than 98.5% nickel.
Hydromet technology has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions in battery metals refining compared with traditional smelting and refining. Due to DRA Global’s extensive and specialist expertise in this area, the organisation was appointed as the lead definitive feasibility study (DFS) consulting engineer on the Kabanga project and the Kahama refinery. DRA Global will also coordinate and manage input from all specialist consulting companies.
DRA Global boasts one of the largest hydrometallurgical process teams in Africa, with a deep knowledge base in SX/EW and concentrator plant designs. Kabanga will be a mine-to-metal mining operation producing Class 1 nickel, copper and cobalt with the intention to supply these high purity metals to automotive OEM’s and battery manufacturers.
DRA Global Limited (ASX: DRA | JSE: DRA) is a multi-disciplinary consulting, engineering, project delivery and operations management group predominantly focused on the mining and minerals resources sector. DRA has an extensive global track record, spanning more than three decades and more than 7,500 studies and projects as well as operations, maintenance and optimisation solutions across a wide range of commodities.
DRA has expertise in mining, minerals and metals processing and related non-process infrastructure including sustainability, water and energy solutions for the mining industry. DRA