Firering is developing a portfolio of mineral assets focused on limestone, lithium and coltan, giving the company exposure to construction materials, battery supply chains and the electronics industry.
The company’s limestone interests are centred on its Limeco operation in Zambia, where limestone is processed to produce quicklime. Limestone is a sedimentary rock made mainly from calcium carbonate, while quicklime is calcium oxide produced by heating limestone. This processing step turns the raw mineral into a product with established industrial uses.
The Limeco project therefore gives Firering exposure to both the underlying limestone resource and the production of quicklime. The company is developing a processing operation rather than simply holding an undeveloped mineral interest. The ability to process limestone into quicklime is a central part of the project’s commercial positioning.
Lithium provides Firering with exposure to a different and rapidly developing area of the minerals market. Lithium is a key material in rechargeable batteries, including those used in electric vehicles and consumer electronics. It is also used in non-rechargeable batteries and in lightweight metal alloys.
Electric vehicles are particularly important because lithium is an essential component of the batteries used to power them. Lithium alloys are also used where lower weight and high strength are required, including in aircraft, bicycles, high-speed trains and luxury vehicles.
Lithium adds a battery-focused element to the portfolio alongside its established interest in limestone and quicklime. Development of the company’s lithium assets provides exposure to a commodity with applications across transport, consumer electronics and specialist manufacturing.
The third area is coltan, which contains the minerals columbite and tantalite and provides a source of tantalum and niobium. Tantalum is used in electronic capacitors and is found in products including mobile phones, computer hard drives, cameras, hearing aids and pacemakers. Niobium is used in superalloys and other applications where its properties are valuable, including jet engines.
Firering’s coltan interests also have a geographic consideration. Côte d’Ivoire is identified by the company as a non-conflict country. This is relevant because the origin and supply chain of tantalum can be an important consideration for companies seeking responsibly sourced minerals.
Firering Strategic Minerals plc (LON:FRG) is an emerging quicklime producer and critical minerals explorer, with operations in Zambia and West Africa.
