Lifezone Metals Limited (NYSE: LZM) has signed a 14‑month exclusivity agreement with Burundi to assess the country's Musongati nickel project.
The project lies in the East African Nickel Belt, about 200 km south‑west of Lifezone’s Kabanga Nickel Project in neighbouring Tanzania. Historical data indicate a resource exceeding 140mn tonnes, with potential by‑products including copper, cobalt, gold, platinum‑group metals, and scandium.
The deal allows Lifezone to commit geological and technical resources to a 30‑day scoping phase, drawing on previous exploration and evaluation studies, as noted by Mining Weekly.
A signing ceremony was held in Washington, D.C., with CEO Christopher Showalter, Burundi’s Minister of Mineral Resources Dr. Hassan Kibeya, and US Deputy Assistant Secretary Sarah Troutman.
Showalter said the deal positions Lifezone to supply nickel to the United States and allied countries, strengthening critical mineral supply chains for US industry and national security.
Kibeya welcomed Lifezone as a partner in Burundi. “We welcome Lifezone as a partner in Burundi. The agreement we have signed today is built on a foundation of transparency and mutual respect,” he told officials and industry representatives. Burundi plans to develop the Musongati project responsibly, with a focus on local benefits and resource management, he added.
Troutman highlighted Burundi’s strategic role in supplying critical minerals to the United States and allied countries, reinforcing industrial and national security supply chains.
According to Lifezone Metals, the agreement is part of the company’s broader regional nickel strategy and supports progress towards a final investment decision at Kabanga.
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