Firering Strategic Minerals recently provided an update on the ongoing refurbishment of the Limeco quicklime plant in Zambia. The company is making steady progress with the goal of beginning phased production by the fourth quarter. Key developments include the installation and commissioning of a new kiln feed conveyor belt and the completion of essential repairs inside Kiln 1. The discharge end of Kiln 1 has been widened, while new brakes have been installed at the skip hoist motor. Foundation work for the first of two gasifiers, which will each support four kilns, is nearly complete, and the gasifier is currently en route to the site following several successful dry runs.
The firm has also focused on upgrading its crushing plant, replacing the double roll crusher with an impact crusher and optimising the flow sheet for more efficient kiln feedstock production. High-quality limestone has already been crushed to build a kiln feed stockpile in anticipation of firing Kiln 1 later this year. Additionally, a previously-identified waste stockpile has been reclassified as a ‘secondary stockpile’ due to the discovery of significant quantities of material suitable for kiln feed.
Progress has also been made in quality control, with the on-site laboratory now fully operational. Equipped with new instruments to test calcium carbonate and quicklime content, the laboratory has achieved high purity levels, which are critical as the company continues discussions with potential off-takers. Firering’s CEO, Yuval Cohen, expressed his satisfaction with the advancements, particularly the manufacturing of coal gasifier parts, which are now on their way to Limeco from India. Cohen highlighted the importance of the crushing plant’s upgrade and the laboratory’s progress in understanding the impact of different limestone qualities and burning times on quicklime production, with initial results showing promising high available quicklime content.
Firering’s efforts in refurbishing the Limeco plant are moving forward at a strong pace, setting the stage for the planned phased production by the year’s end.
Firering Strategic Minerals plc (LON:FRG) is an AIM-quoted mining company focused on becoming a near-term cash generating producer of Quicklime, through their Limeco Project in Zambia, whilst at the same time progressing with the exploration and development of their Atex Lithium Project, Côte d’Ivoire.
