Lifezone Metals Limited's (NYSE:LZM) Chief Executive Officer, Chris Showalter, today announced that Lifezone's wholly-owned subsidiary, Kabanga Nickel Limited, has entered into a $60 million bridge loan facility agreement with Taurus Mining Finance Fund No. 2, L.P. (Taurus), a leading global provider of structured finance to the mining sector.
The facility will support the advancement of the Kabanga Nickel Project, located in north-west Tanzania, by funding the development of critical early works and infrastructure development as the Company moves toward securing long-term project financing.
Mr. Showalter stated: "This announcement further demonstrates the preparation and strategic steps Lifezone has taken in anticipation of consolidating 100% ownership of Kabanga Nickel Limited, which we completed last month. The support from Taurus, a respected and experienced mining finance partner, reflects the strength of our project and our team's ability to deliver. With the Feasibility Study now complete, Taurus's funding enables us to advance critical early-stage development while progressing the competitive process underway with Standard Chartered to select additional strategic investment partners. In parallel, we are advancing the project financing process with Societe Generale, as we work toward a comprehensive funding solution for the Kabanga Nickel Project."
Strategic importance of the facility
The senior secured bridge loan is a key step in Lifezone's broader financing strategy to advance the Kabanga Nickel Project towards production. It provides essential funding to maintain project momentum during the execution readiness phase, bridging the period between Feasibility Study completion and Final Investment Decision, expected in mid-2026.
The loan bears interest at a rate of 9.25% per annum on drawn amounts, payable quarterly. It is subject to an arrangement fee of 2.25% and a commitment fee of 2.5% per annum on undrawn amounts. The loan is secured by a security interest in the shares that Lifezone indirectly holds in Kabanga Nickel Limited and security interests in other assets relating to the Kabanga Nickel Project. The loan is also guaranteed by other subsidiaries of Lifezone. As part of the transaction, Lifezone Metals issued 2.5 million warrants to Taurus, exercisable at an exercise price of $5.42 per share. The warrants will expire five years from the date of issuance.
Availability of borrowings under the facility is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions precedent. The facility has a scheduled maturity date of July 31, 2027, with an option available to Kabanga Nickel Limited to extend the term by an additional six months.
In connection with the bridge loan facility agreement, the Company and the debentureholders amended certain terms of the Company's current outstanding Senior Unsecured Convertible Debentures.
Supporting a world-class nickel, copper and cobalt project
The Kabanga Nickel Project is believed to be one of the world's largest and highest-grade development-ready nickel, copper and cobalt sulfide deposits. Highlights of the Feasibility Study Technical Report Summary, filed on July 18, 2025 (refer to the Company's EDGAR profile, investor relations website and July 18, 2025 news release), include:
Project metrics shown on a 100% basis – the Kabanga Nickel Project is 84% owned by Lifezone and 16% by the Government of Tanzania.
- 18-year life of mine mining operation with total ore production of 52.2 million tonnes (100% basis; Lifezone attributable is: 43.9 million tonnes) grading 1.98% nickel, 0.27% copper and 0.15% cobalt.
- 3.4 million tonnes per annum concentrator, producing a high-grade nickel, copper, and cobalt concentrate grading 17.5% nickel, as an intermediate product for downstream processing, and containing a total of 902,000 tonnes of nickel, 134,000 tonnes of copper and 69,000 tonnes of cobalt over the life of mine.
- Low all-in sustaining costs averaging $3.36 per pound of payable nickel contained in concentrate, net of copper and cobalt by-product credits. Based on analysis provided by CRU International Ltd, Kabanga will fall within the first quartile of the global nickel cost curve.
- Pre-production capital costs of $942 million, including 9.7% contingency. Total life of mine capital of $2.49 billion includes pre-production capital costs, contingency, capitalized operational expenditures, growth capital, sustaining and closure costs. Life of mine revenue from sales totals $14.1 billion, net of realization costs, with after-tax free cash flow of $4.6 billion.
- After-tax net present value of $1.58 billion using an 8.0% discount rate and after-tax internal rate of return of 23.3%, based long-term consensus metal prices of $8.49 per pound nickel, $4.30 per pound copper, and $18.31 per pound cobalt.