Lime is becoming a more important part of Zambia’s copper growth story. It may not attract much attention, but it is essential to copper processing and will be needed in larger volumes as the country works towards its production target of three million metric tonnes by 2031.
Copper mines use quicklime in metallurgical processes to neutralise acid and remove impurities. That makes it a basic operating requirement for the sector, not a secondary input.
Historically, Zambia relied heavily on imported quicklime from South Africa, despite having some lime quarries around Ndola and Lusaka. That left part of the copper supply chain exposed to external sourcing. As copper production rises, the case for stronger domestic lime supply becomes clearer. More local production could help reduce import dependence and improve supply security for the mining industry.
Zambia already has an established base in lime. Limestone Resources, based in Masaiti near Ndola, has operated since 1931, while later producers such as Newcrest Lime and Limeco Resources helped expand local output. More recently, Firering Strategic Minerals entered the market with a focus on supplying high-purity lime to the copper mining, construction and agricultural sectors. Its role is also aimed at reducing Zambia’s reliance on imported quicklime.
Firering manages the Limeco Resources project, which includes a major limestone and aggregate quarry and kilns located about 22km west of Lusaka. The facility is designed to scale production to between 600 and 800 tonnes of quicklime a day in the first quarter of 2026.
Firering Strategic Minerals plc (LON:FRG) is an emerging quicklime producer and critical minerals explorer, with operations in Zambia and West Africa.
