After more than two years, First Quantum Minerals (FQM) declared the start of commercial production at its Enterprise Nickel Mine in Kalumbila, Zambia, on 1 June.  

The Enterprise Nickel Mine is an open pit mine that produces nickel concentrates. The first production occurred in July 2023, and a new concentrator was formally commissioned the following month. The mine shares processing infrastructure and tailings facilities with FQM’s Sentinel Copper Mine (12km away). 

Following successful commissioning and ramp-up, the operation produced 6,147t of nickel during Q2 2024 compared with the 4,031t produced in Q1, equating to an increase of almost 53% q-on-q. Mining volumes are expected to continue ramping up and improving, especially during the dry season, and fresh feed supply to the plant has been increased, resulting in higher recovery rates. Therefore, 2024 nickel production guidance has been set at 17-20kt Ni. 

FQM has multiple assets in Zambia, including the Kansanshi and Sentinel copper mines. The S3 Expansion at the Kansanshi copper and gold mining operation in Solwezi is progressing well, with completion targeted for mid-2025. However, the Enterprise Nickel Mine is considered particularly significant as it is poised to become the largest nickel operation in Africa, with full production capacity expected to reach 30ktpy Ni. 

Africa is a relatively small nickel producer, with most assets producing the metal as a by-product of platinum group metal (PGM) operations. In 2023, African countries accounted for only 3% of global mined nickel output, with Madagascar, South Africa, and Ivory Coast being the main producers.