Project Finance & Strategic Advisory

Our Value Proposition

Principal-Led Project Development

We hold direct equity stakes in our mineral assets — we are project developers and owners, not intermediaries.

DFC, EXIM & USTDA Alignment

Structured for US development finance — 100% US-citizen-owned, SAM.gov registered, BUILD Act and EO 14154 compliant.

Bankable Deal Structuring

Full project finance structuring from feasibility through to financial close — including debt, equity, and blended finance solutions.

Off-Take & Strategic Partnerships

Direct off-take agreements and strategic partnerships with vetted industry leaders — securing supply chains and investment returns.

Structuring Value from Mine to Market

ZAL Trading LLC is a principal-level project developer and project finance company, not a trading intermediary. We hold direct equity positions in our mineral assets, structure project finance packages, and execute deals with institutional partners including the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), EXIM Bank, USTDA, and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). Our 100% US-citizen ownership and SAM.gov registration (NAICS 212299) position us as a preferred partner for US government-backed critical minerals programs.

What We Offer

Project Finance Structuring

We originate, develop, and structure the full financing package for our mineral projects — from initial CAPEX modeling through to financial close. Our structures incorporate senior debt (DFC, EXIM, DBSA), equity co-investment, and blended finance instruments aligned with development finance mandates.

Critical Minerals Asset Development

We develop JORC- and NI 43-101-compliant mineral assets across Africa, focusing on US-designated critical minerals including rare earth elements, fluorspar, gallium, cobalt, and PGMs. Our portfolio spans Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mozambique.

Strategic Off-Take Agreements

We structure direct off-take agreements with US and allied-nation processors and end-users. These agreements underpin project bankability and ensure long-term supply security for critical defense and technology supply chains.

Government & Institutional Advisory

We engage directly with host governments, US federal agencies, and multilateral development banks to advance project approvals, EPCM procurement, and investment facilitation. Our team brings combined decades of experience at BHP, Rio Tinto, Energold, and the US federal government.

Who We Partner With

Our institutional partners and counterparties include: