JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Initial test results of samples recovered from Aim-listed Premier African Minerals’ Zulu lithium and tantalum project, in Fort Rixon, Zimbabwe, have yielded grades of 1.55% lithium oxide (Li2O) taken from the exploration adit and 1.23% Li2O in a petalite ore sample.
Premier undertook a mini bulk sampling programme at Zulu in late 2015, with three composite samples taken in three pegmatite zones – petalite, spodumene-lepodolite at surface and spodumene-lepidolite in the exploration adits.
The samples were sent to Germany for testing and flow sheet development.
“These high Li2O grades contained in the bulk samples are in line with our exploration data.
Process development being undertaken in Germany is directed to production of marketable spodumene and petalite concentrates, both of which are in demand in the ceramics and glass industries and as a source for low-impurity lithium,” said CEO George Roach.
Premier was focusing its work on better understanding the complexities of the substantial multiphase pegmatite with a view to further developing the resource model.
The company was also in preliminary discussions with parties interested in potentially participating in lithium resource development in Zimbabwe.
Premier states that Zulu is considered the largest undeveloped lithium-bearing pegmatite resource in Zimbabwe.