Zambia’s position within the Central African Copperbelt gives lime producers a clear industrial market, particularly as copper operations require reliable supplies of quicklime and hydrated lime for processing and environmental applications.
The latest developments point to a broader shift in Zambia’s industrial materials landscape. The planned revival of the historic Ndola Lime operation in the Copperbelt Province adds another potential source of supply to the market, with ZCCM Investment Holdings partnering with the Wonderful Group of Companies to restart and expand the facility through a new Ndola Lime Limited venture. The project is expected to begin with a lime plant capable of producing 600 tonnes per day, with later phases potentially adding cement production or further lime capacity depending on market demand.
Capital is being directed into lime production at a point when copper mining activity across the region is supporting demand for industrial inputs. Zambia already benefits from location, infrastructure and established mining relationships, and increased lime capacity could help reduce supply risk for mines while creating commercial openings for producers with operational assets.
AIM-listed Firering Strategic Minerals is positioning itself within this market through its growing stake in Limeco Resources, which owns an advanced limestone project around 22 kilometres west of Lusaka. Firering has exercised the fourth tranche of its option over Limeco, acquiring a further 5.5% interest and increasing its holding to 41.7%. The company paid US$981,667 for the tranche and retains the right to acquire a final 3.3% by 31 July 2026 for US$1.03 million, which would lift its total interest to 45.0%.
Limeco has reached operational breakeven, while production and cost metrics are showing signs of improvement as the ramp-up continues. Combined kiln discharge output averaged more than 135 tonnes per day across the first 20 active days of May 2026. Kiln 2 optimisation has been completed and the unit is operating above its initial 80 tonnes per day discharge target, while Kiln 1 continues to operate at around 55 tonnes per day.
Commercially, Limeco is selling quicklime, hydrated lime and aggregates to customers in mining, industrial and agricultural sectors. Its active customer base spans Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, including supply to a leading copper producer in the Copperbelt. The company also has a confirmed order pipeline of about 2,500 tonnes pending dispatch and is in discussions over medium and longer-term supply agreements with regional mining and industrial counterparties.
Firering Strategic Minerals plc (LON:FRG) is an emerging quicklime producer and critical minerals explorer, with operations in Zambia and West Africa.
