Terra Metals Inc. (Terra Metals), a US-registered, Zambia-focused miner and explorer, aims to recommission a copper and cobalt acid leach plant in the southern African nation by March 2025 and commission a floatation facility by June.

In a release on January 29, Terra Metals said its moves to entrench its footprint in Zambia's mining industry are motivated by US President, Donald Trump's pro-mining stance.

The company, with mining and exploration assets in Kapombo Dome close to large operating mines owned by Canadian giants First Quantum Minerals and Barrick Gold, said the leach plant will play a vital role in processing oxide ores to significantly boost production capacity. 

The floatation plant will be capable of processing 1mn tonnes of sulphide and oxide ores annually.

Through its subsidiary, Central African Renewable Energy, Terra Metals has been granted feasibility permits for the development of two projects to produce 400 megawatts (MW) of solar energy.

A 200-MW facility will be built in North West Province near Zambia's border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  The second one of like capacity will be located close to the firm's mining operations in the same region.

“These renewable energy projects are game-changers for a diversified company like Terra Metals Inc.,” said co-chairman Mumena Mushinge. “We are aligning sustainable energy solutions with large-scale mining, ensuring cost-effective operations while reducing our environmental footprint.”

Co-chairman Edmond Chisanga noted that Terra Metals is one of the first US companies to ship copper and cobalt back to the United States through the US-funded Lobito Railway, a 1,300km corridor running from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through Zambia to Angola's Lobito Port.

"This infrastructure investment reinforces our role in strengthening U.S.-Zambia trade relations and advancing the global energy transition," said Chisanga.