Name of the Project
Zulu lithium/tantalum project pilot plant.

Location
Fort Rixon, Zimbabwe.

Project Owner/s
UK-based mining and exploration company Premier African Minerals.

Project Description
The Zulu project comprises 14 mineral claims covering a surface area of 3.5 km².

The proposed pilot plant has a nameplate throughput of up to 190 t/h; however, it is planned to (RoM) 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, will 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 using multiple ore sorters.

Stockpiles of tantalum-, petalite- and mica-/lepidolite-rich material will facilitate further testwork 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
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Premier African Minerals has completed a subscription to raise about £1.2-million before expenses through the issue of 27.52-billion new ordinary shares of nil par value in the capital of the company at an issue price of 0.00436p per new ordinary share.

The net proceeds will provide additional working capital to support the planned restart of operations, including the potential remobilisation of mining activities and restart of the processing plant.

Premier MD Graham Hill has said the funding enables the company to progress directly towards restarting plant operations at Zulu, adding that this represents a change from the company’s original plan, which was to build a larger RoM stockpile before restarting processing.

However, Hill has said the progress achieved during the previous operating period has provided the board with a basis to proceed with the restart while maintaining the company’s focus on achieving stable and consistent production of spodumene concentrate.

Premier’s immediate target is a campaign of about 15 days, during which the principal focus will be on sustained plant operation, product quality and recoveries.

Hill has said this approach should provide the company with the opportunity to extend operations.

Additional blasted material remains available within the EPO and may be mobilised to the RoM pad following the initial campaign, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of working capital.

Premier is now focused on the immediate mobilisation of plant operations at Zulu and the restart of processing activities using about 13 000 t of ore currently available on the RoM pad.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
JR Goddard Contracting (mining contractor); and Stark International Projects (design, procurement, installation and commissioning contractor).

Contact Details for Project Information
Premier African Minerals, tel +27 100 201281 or email info@premierafricanminerals.com.