Aim-listed Zanaga Iron Ore Company (ZIOC) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms to advance the development of the Zanaga iron-ore project’s onshore and offshore port infrastructure, in Congo-Brazzaville.

Arise is a large international corporation whose core divisions and specialties are developing industrial ecosystems inclusive of design, financing, construction and operation of interconnected infrastructure, with a particular focus on Africa.

Arise is leading the development of a special economic zone (SEZ) at Pointe-Noire in Congo-Brazzaville and is, therefore uniquely positioned to host the Zanaga project’s concentrate handling facility within the SEZ and develop a mutually beneficial mineral export facility, ZIOC points out.

Arise and ZIOC have entered into the MoU with a view to collaborating on, among other items, key aspects of the necessary port facilities for the Zanaga project.

This includes completion of engineering works required for geographical general arrangement; utilities, such as power, water, Internet, roads and subsurface works; and concentrate handling and export infrastructure.

It also defines a services agreement between the parties, with Arise to provide services for SEZ leasing, concentrate handling, facility maintenance and utilities.

Moreover, it defines a capital return agreement to provide a return on the capital investment required for infrastructure.

The Zanaga project is planned to be developed in stages, ultimately ramping up to a targeted 30-million tonnes a year of iron-ore production capacity.

The Arise portfolio comprises three existing port assets in West Africa, as well as the development of the SEZ in Pointe-Noire.

Arise has entered into arrangements with the Congo-Brazzaville government regarding the development of the SEZ in Pointe-Noire and its related infrastructure facilities.

“The Zanaga project has now entered into an exciting new phase. ZIOC’s partnership with Arise provides a pathway forward for the Zanaga project, enabling the development of essential port export facilities, both onshore and offshore, with a highly-regarded port developer, financier and operator,” says ZIOC chairperson Clifford Elphick.