Limeco Project

Limeco was initially established by Glencore plc due to the shortage of quicklime in Zambia and the need for quicklime at its Mopane operatons in Zambia. In total, over $US100m has been invested in establishing the limestone quarry and constructing the current lime plant. The lime plant consists of a two stage crushing circuit with an installed primary throughput of 500tph of limestone, and a quicklime production unit comprising eight kilns for burning crushed limestone to produce between 500 and 600 tonnes of quicklime per day.

Over $100 million has been historically spent on the development of the mine and processing plant
In October 2017, Golder Associates visited Limeco and produced an in-situ mineral resource estimate of 73.7Mt @ 95.3% CaCO3 (Source: Golder Associates, report 1776596-002-R-Rev0, 05 October 2017).

First geological mapping and diamond drilling were completed in 2012 when 37 drill holes were drilled with an average depth of 66m for a total of 2,517m. This was followed by the development of a resource model in 2013. A further drilling programme (23 drillholes totalling 1,610m) was then completed southeast of the drilling done in 2012. This was followed in 2017 with an infill drilling programme comprising another 65 drillholes totalling 4,022m.

Limestone production from the quarry commenced in March 2016 and ceased in January 2017. Crushed limestone (-90mm +60mm) was fed to only two kilns during that Ime. The majority of the blasted limestone was stockpiled adjacent to the primary crusher and will serve as initial feedstock when the kilns are being commissioned. 

Next Steps: Production Potential of 600 - 800 tons of Quicklime per day
Our focus is on starting commissioning in Q4 2024, ramping up production and becoming cash generating.

Limeco Mineral Resource Estimates

Category Cut-Off Grade Tons (mt) CaCO3 % CaO % MgO %
Measured 92% 18.1 95.78 53.69 1.13
Indicated 92% 45.5 95.28 53.37 1.79
Inferred 92% 10.1 94.53 52.95 2.97
Total 92% 73.7 95.30 53.39 1.79

Source: PEC Consulting process study report, 2017

Desktop programme in place to convert the mineral resource to reserves
Drilling to date to only 80m depth
Golder Associates has reconfirmed existing resource of 73.7Mt
Potential additional 95Mt Exploration Target
License application in place and license pending

In September 2024 Limeco was awarded an additional exploration licence covering  392.51 hectares which is located adjacent to its current licence. Further details can be found HERE.