Metalex Africa Zambia Limited is seeking a qualified United States-based engineering, mining or consulting firm to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study for the proposed expansion of its copper and cobalt mining and processing operations at the Kazozu Mine in Mwinilunga, Northwestern Province.
The proposed expansion is aimed at increasing the mine’s production capacity by up to 25,000 additional metric tonnes of copper and cobalt concentrates, potentially strengthening Zambia’s position in the global critical minerals supply chain.
The feasibility study will be funded through a US$3.567 million grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded to Metalex. The selected U.S. firm will be paid in U.S. dollars from the grant funding.
The opportunity forms part of broader efforts to expand mineral production in Zambia while attracting international expertise, investment and technology into the country’s mining sector.
Major expansion planned at Kazozu
The proposed project centres on increasing mining and processing capacity at Metalex’s Kazozu mine and processing complex in Mwinilunga.
The expansion is expected to assess the potential for producing up to an additional 25,000 tonnes of copper and cobalt concentrates, although the final development parameters will depend on the findings of the feasibility study.
Copper and cobalt are increasingly important minerals in global industrial and energy-transition supply chains. Copper is critical to electricity networks, renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles and other technologies, while cobalt remains an important component in several battery chemistries and other industrial applications.
For Zambia, which is already one of Africa’s leading copper producers, projects such as Kazozu could contribute to the country’s ambition of significantly increasing copper production and expanding its participation in the critical minerals economy.
Comprehensive feasibility study
The planned study will go far beyond a conventional assessment of mine economics.
It will include a comprehensive exploration and drilling programme designed to improve the geological understanding of Metalex’s mineral assets across three mining licence areas.
The programme will involve geological data collection, resource assessment and further investigation of the mineralisation to determine the potential scale and quality of the available copper and cobalt resources.
Metallurgical test work will also form a key component of the study, helping determine how the ore can best be processed and the potential recovery rates that could be achieved through the proposed processing facilities.
The study will subsequently examine the feasibility of expanding the processing plant and determine the infrastructure and technical requirements necessary to support increased production.
Power and logistics to be assessed
Reliable electricity supply remains one of the most important considerations for mining and mineral processing projects in Zambia.
As part of the study, the selected consultant will therefore undertake an energy supply feasibility assessment to determine the most appropriate options for supplying the expanded operation.
The study will also examine logistics requirements, including the transportation of ore, concentrates, equipment and other materials associated with the expanded operation.
For a mine located in Northwestern Province, understanding the availability and cost of transportation infrastructure will be critical to determining the project’s overall commercial viability.
Economic and financing assessment
The feasibility programme will also include a detailed economic feasibility assessment and financing plan.
This is expected to examine the capital requirements for the expansion, operating costs, potential revenues, financial returns and other factors that would influence investment decisions.
The financing component will help identify potential funding structures and requirements for taking the project from feasibility through to implementation.
The study will also investigate potential offtakers for the copper and cobalt concentrates, providing an important link between the proposed production expansion and international markets.
Environmental and climate considerations
Environmental considerations will form another major component of the study.
The selected firm will be required to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment, examining the potential environmental and social impacts associated with expanding mining and processing activities at Kazozu.
A Climate Resilience Assessment will also be undertaken to determine how climate-related risks could affect the project’s infrastructure, operations and long-term sustainability.
The inclusion of climate resilience in the feasibility process reflects the growing importance of ensuring that new mining projects can withstand changing weather patterns, water-related risks and other climate pressures.
From feasibility to implementation
The final component of the programme will be the development of an Implementation Plan.
The plan is expected to provide a practical roadmap for moving the project from feasibility into development, identifying key activities, timelines, investment requirements and other considerations necessary for implementation.
Taken together, the different components of the study are intended to provide Metalex with a comprehensive assessment of whether the proposed expansion can be developed on a technically sound, commercially viable and environmentally responsible basis.
Metalex’s growing role in Zambia’s mining sector
Founded in 2020 by Chief Executive Officer Gabriel Ayobamigbe “Ayo” Sopitan and Chief Commercial Officer Sevaan “Sev” Bazil, Metalex is a Zambia-based mining company focused on critical minerals.
The company currently operates the Kazozu mine and processing complex in Mwinilunga, where it is building its presence in Zambia’s copper and cobalt sector.
Metalex is a subsidiary of Metalex Commodities Inc., a Texas-based and Delaware-incorporated company involved in the production, processing and trading of critical minerals, with operations extending across Nigeria, Mauritania and Zambia.
The company’s team comprises approximately 140 professionals, including specialists in geology, metallurgy, forestry, finance and mining operations.
U.S.–Zambia cooperation in critical minerals
The USTDA-supported feasibility study also highlights growing cooperation between the United States and Zambia around critical minerals.
The United States has been seeking to strengthen supply chains for minerals considered strategically important to modern industry and the energy transition, while Zambia is looking to attract investment and technical expertise to develop its substantial mineral resources.
A successful expansion at Kazozu could therefore have significance beyond the mine itself, potentially contributing to broader efforts to develop more diversified and resilient global copper and cobalt supply chains.
The project could also create opportunities for U.S. engineering, technology, equipment and professional services companies to participate in Zambia’s growing mining industry.
A potential boost for Northwestern Province
The expansion of Kazozu could also bring wider economic benefits to Northwestern Province if the project progresses beyond the feasibility stage.
An increase in mining and processing capacity could generate additional demand for local contractors, transport companies, engineering services, equipment suppliers and other businesses supporting the mining industry.
The development could also contribute to employment and skills development while increasing demand for supporting infrastructure and services in the Mwinilunga area.
However, the extent of these benefits will ultimately depend on the results of the feasibility study and Metalex’s ability to secure the financing and approvals required to implement the expansion.
A strategic project for Zambia’s critical minerals ambitions
The Kazozu expansion comes as Zambia seeks to move beyond its traditional role as a copper producer and strengthen its position across the broader critical minerals value chain.
The country is increasingly attracting investment into copper, cobalt, nickel, manganese and other minerals that are considered strategically important to global manufacturing, electrification and energy-transition technologies.
By combining mining with processing capacity, projects such as Kazozu have the potential to generate greater value from Zambia’s mineral resources while creating opportunities for local suppliers and service providers.
The proposed feasibility study will be an important next step in determining whether Metalex can scale up production and establish Kazozu as a larger copper and cobalt operation in Northwestern Zambia.
With USTDA funding supporting the study, the project also demonstrates the growing role of international development and commercial partnerships in advancing Zambia’s mining and critical minerals ambitions.
