Lifezone secures exclusive rights with the Burundi government to advance development of the Musongati nickel project in East Africa.
Lifezone Metals Limited has officially signed an exclusivity agreement with the Government of Burundi covering the development potential of the Musongati Nickel Project, one of the most significant undeveloped nickel laterite deposits in East Africa. The agreement marks an important milestone in strengthening regional collaboration around critical mineral development and positions Lifezone to further expand its footprint within the rapidly emerging East African Nickel Belt, a region recognized for its extensive mineral potential.
Strategic Agreement to Advance Musongati Development
The exclusivity agreement grants Lifezone Metals the right to evaluate and potentially develop the Musongati nickel deposit, which lies within the same geological belt that hosts the company’s flagship Kabanga Nickel Project in neighboring Tanzania. The Musongati project has been explored intermittently for more than five decades and has already demonstrated significant mineralization through earlier geological surveys and feasibility studies.
Previous assessments indicate that the project holds the potential not only for nickel production but also for the recovery of valuable by-products including copper, cobalt, gold, platinum-group metals, and scandium. These metals are increasingly sought after due to their applications in advanced technologies, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicle batteries.
A major milestone in the project’s exploration history came in 2011, when a comprehensive study defined a mineral resource exceeding 140 million tons. This resource estimate positioned Musongati among the largest open-pit nickel laterite deposits in the region and highlighted its potential to become a significant contributor to the global supply of critical minerals.
Signing Ceremony in Washington D.C.
The formal signing ceremony for the agreement took place in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Department of State. The event was hosted by Sarah Troutman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Africa and Commercial Engagement in the Bureau of African Affairs. The ceremony brought together government representatives, industry leaders, and stakeholders interested in strengthening international cooperation on critical mineral supply chains.
Representing Lifezone Metals at the event was Chief Executive Officer Christopher Showalter. He was joined by Burundi’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Energy, Industry, Trade, and Tourism, Dr. Hassan Kibeya, along with representatives from the United States government and various partners involved in the project’s development.
Also present at the event were representatives from KoBold Metals, a technology-driven mining exploration company headquartered in California. KoBold signed a separate Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Burundi aimed at digitizing the country’s geological data. The company is known for using advanced artificial intelligence and data analytics to identify and evaluate mineral deposits around the world, particularly those containing critical metals required for the energy transition.
Strengthening the East African Nickel Belt
The Musongati deposit sits within the Kabanga-Musongati Alignment, a northeast-to-southwest trending series of mafic-ultramafic intrusions within the East African Nickel Belt. This geological formation stretches across multiple countries in East Africa and contains some of the most promising nickel resources globally.
Musongati lies approximately 125 miles (about 200 kilometers) southwest of the Kabanga Nickel Project in Tanzania. By bringing both deposits under Lifezone’s operational evaluation, the company aims to consolidate significant resources within the same mineral belt, potentially creating a major hub for nickel production in the region.
This consolidation strategy could help diversify the global supply of nickel, which is currently heavily concentrated in Southeast Asia. By developing resources in East Africa, Lifezone hopes to provide an alternative supply source that is competitive in terms of both grade and cost.
Initial Evaluation Phase
Under the terms of the agreement, Lifezone will undertake a 14-month exclusivity period during which it will evaluate the Musongati project in detail. The first stage includes a 30-day scoping phase during which the company’s internal geological and technical teams will review existing exploration data and outline a long-term development plan.
This initial review will incorporate decades of previously collected geological data and exploration findings, allowing Lifezone to quickly assess the deposit’s economic potential. If the results are promising, the company may proceed with an expanded exploration program and a comprehensive economic feasibility study.
The exclusivity agreement also includes provisions for extending the evaluation period if additional time is needed to complete the technical and economic assessments required for potential project development.
Lifezone’s Strategic Vision
According to CEO Christopher Showalter, Lifezone Metals aims to become a major supplier of responsibly produced nickel to the United States and its international partners. As global demand for battery metals grows rapidly, securing stable and transparent supply chains for critical minerals has become a strategic priority for many governments.
Nickel is particularly important for the production of high-performance batteries used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and numerous advanced technologies. As a result, governments and industries worldwide are actively seeking to diversify supply sources to reduce dependence on a limited number of producing regions.
Showalter emphasized that East Africa hosts some of the world’s richest mineral complexes, and improvements in infrastructure such as energy generation and rail networks are making these resources increasingly accessible. Lifezone believes that investments in projects like Kabanga and Musongati can unlock the region’s mineral wealth while supporting sustainable economic development.
Burundi’s Perspective on the Partnership
For the Government of Burundi, the agreement represents an opportunity to responsibly develop one of the country’s most important mineral assets. Minister Dr. Hassan Kibeya welcomed Lifezone as a partner and highlighted the importance of transparency and mutual respect in the collaboration.
The Musongati project has long been recognized as a cornerstone of Burundi’s mining sector. By partnering with an international mining company with advanced technical expertise, the government aims to ensure that the deposit is developed in a way that benefits both the national economy and local communities.
Officials also emphasized the importance of responsible mining practices and long-term economic value creation for the people of Burundi.
Role of the United States and International Partnerships
The United States has also expressed strong interest in supporting projects that strengthen global critical mineral supply chains. Deputy Assistant Secretary Sarah Troutman noted that resilient and transparent mineral supply networks are increasingly viewed as essential for national security and economic stability.
Africa, and particularly countries such as Burundi, are expected to play an increasingly important role in supplying key minerals needed for advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies. Investments in projects like Musongati therefore align with broader international efforts to diversify the global supply of critical resources.
Connection to the FORGE Initiative
The agreement also aligns with the goals of Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE), a new international initiative focused on strengthening cooperation around critical minerals. FORGE was introduced in early 2026 as a successor to the Mineral Security Partnership and aims to coordinate global efforts to secure sustainable and reliable supplies of essential resources.
The initiative brings together partners from Africa, Asia, Europe, and other regions, along with institutions such as the European Commission. It was formally announced during the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial at the U.S. Department of State, attended by representatives from more than 50 countries.
Through initiatives like FORGE and partnerships with resource-rich nations, governments and companies are working to reshape the global critical minerals market and ensure that future supply chains remain resilient, transparent, and sustainable