Name of the Project
Zulu lithium/tantalum project pilot plant.
Location
Fort Rixon, Zimbabwe.
Project Owner/s
Premier African Minerals.
Project Description
The proposed pilot plant at Premier’s Zulu project has a nameplate throughput of up to 190 t/h, however, it is planned to run at a more conservative 140 t/h at inception.
The pilot plant will use state-of-the-art sensor-based ore sorting technologies that will facilitate the separation of run-of-mine material into components and in so doing, likely increase available capacity in the flotation recovery circuits, where lithium minerals are recovered.
Ultimate production and recoveries are a factor of many variables, and the pilot plant is likely to assist in dealing with these variables owing to the inherent flexibility of the use of multiple ore sorters.
Stockpiles of tantalum-, petalite- and mica-/lepidolite-rich material will facilitate further test work and flowsheet development to ensure that this material is truly inventory for later profitable recovery.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.
Capital Expenditure
Not stated.
Planned Start/End Date
The projected completion date for commercial production is expected in the first quarter of 2023.
Latest Developments
Premier African Minerals announced more confirmatory assay results on the integrity of the orebody at its Zulu lithium and tantalum project in December 2022.
Some of the latest results include 6.2 m of lithium oxide grading 1.15% and tantalum pentoxide grading 32 parts per million (ppm) from 209 m and 6.3 m of lithium oxide grading 1.5% and tantalum pentoxide grading 73 ppm from 268 m.
The assays, coupled with X-ray diffraction analysis, continue to confirm the company’s belief that the main pegmatite orebody is predominantly spodumene.
CEO George Roach explains that when the source of lithium contained in an orebody is 100% spodumene, a grade of 1% lithium oxide would indicate 12.5% pure spodumene and about 16% SC6 at a 100% recovery rate.
While more incoming results will support new resource estimates on the project, the company is focused on bringing a pilot plant into production.
Premier says civil support construction at the plant site and the main masonry arch dam are progressing well despite the wet season.
The company remains on target to produce spodumene in the first quarter of this year.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Premier African Minerals, tel +27 100 201281 or email info@premierafricanminerals.com.