Hot commissioning of third kiln at Zambia quicklime project under way
Firering Strategic Minerals has announced that the hot commissioning of Kiln 3 has commenced at its Limeco quicklime project, in Zambia, following the completion of planned renovations.
With three kilns now in operation, the company highlights that Limeco is transitioning from breakeven into profitable production and is on track to become one of the largest high-quality lime producers in Zambia.
Firering has successfully refired the gasifier and returned Kilns 1 and 2 to production, while Kiln 3 is expected to come online once it reaches the required operating temperature.
Further, combined lime production is expected to exceed 200 t/d as Kiln 3 ramps up, and ongoing modifications to the hydration circuit are expected to increase hydrated lime output beyond the current 100 t/d.
Meanwhile, Firering has also completed the final option payment under its Limeco option agreement, increasing its interest in the company to 45%.
“Our focus now is on getting Kiln 3 to steady-state production and advancing the renovation works on Kiln 4 in preparation for commissioning in a few months’ time.
“Ongoing modifications to the hydration plant are expected to lift hydrated lime output beyond [the] current 100 t/d. Against this backdrop, we are delighted to have increased Firering’s interest in Limeco to 45%, further aligning the company with the operation’s long-term growth and value creation,” comments Firering chairperson and interim CEO Youval Rasin.
He says that, as additional kilns are brought online, Limeco could benefit from economies of scale, thereby catalysing improved operating efficiencies owing to higher production output, and providing the impetus to make Limeco a key quicklime producer to Zambia’s mining, infrastructure, agriculture and industrial sectors.