First Quantum begins commercial production at Zambia nickel mine

Commercial production was declared on June 1, with Enterprise producing 6,147 tonnes of nickel during the three months to the end of June. The figure represents an almost 53% increase from the 4,031 tonnes of nickel produced in the first quarter of the year.

Production guidance for 2024 has been narrowed to 17,000 to 20,000 tonnes of nickel, from the previously estimated 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes, as a result of strong year-to-date production, First Quantum said in its earnings report.

“We had another solid quarter in Zambia and with the work achieved to date, both Kansanshi and Sentinel are set up well for the remainder of the year,” chief executive officer Tristan Pascall said in the statement. 

“At Enterprise, the continued successful commissioning and ramp up has enabled the declaration of commercial production, while the S3 Expansion [at Kansanshi copper mine] is progressing well and on track for completion in mid-2025,” Pascall noted.

Once at full tilt, the mine in Zambia’s north-western province will be a top-ten global nickel producer, churning out about 30,000 tonnes of the metal a year in concentrate, and employing more than 900 full-time staff, First Quantum said.