Zambia’s Enterprise Mine Set to Become Africa’s Premier Nickel Producer

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. has initiated production at the Enterprise mine, set to become Africa’s largest nickel mine, in Zambia’s North-Western Province. This development aligns with Zambia’s strategic objective of emerging as a significant supplier of battery metals for the burgeoning electric vehicle revolution.

The Canadian company announced that the new concentrator is expected to be officially commissioned early next month, after it invested an additional $100 million to complete the project last year.

Over the next two years, the mine aims to ramp up annual nickel production to 32,000 tons, solidifying Zambia’s position as the continent’s leading producer of this crucial metal used in the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries.

As the global race to secure critical battery minerals intensifies, nickel remains a key component in the production of electric vehicle batteries, especially in high-performance vehicles. This positions Zambia to play a pivotal role in meeting the soaring demand for nickel and contributing to the growth of the electric vehicle industry.

The significance of this milestone is further underscored by First Quantum’s recent $1.25 billion project approval to expand its Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia, which reflects the government’s commitment to creating a more predictable investment climate.