17 October 2024
Premier African Minerals Limited
Zulu Lithium Plant Update
The Board of Premier African Minerals Limited ("Premier" or the "Company") is pleased to provide this update on the plant status and next steps to recommence production at Zulu Lithium and Tantalum ("Zulu").
Status of operations at Zulu
Test work reports now submitted by Enprotec, and further supported by independent work undertaken by the supplier of the reagents used to float Spodumene from Zulu ore, indicate that inconsistent grade and recovery in the Spodumene flotation plant are primarily due to inadequate reagent dosing in the flotation circuit and excessive residence time in the Spodumene cleaning circuit. Adjustments to the reagent dosing should enhance selectivity in the flotation process, while reducing the residence time in the cleaning circuits should minimize the flotation of gangue minerals.
The proposed adjustments will consist of fabricated inserts within the cleaning stages that will reduce the volume of each cleaner respectively. These adjustments will align the residence times more closely with the test work which produced the best results for Spodumene grade and recovery. Designs for the inserts is complete and fabrication will commence as soon as possible. The direct cost for the inserts is less than
As previously advised, the Company has a further fall-back position in the recommendations made following the engagement of Chinese Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management ("EPCM Contractor") as an alternative remedial strategy to the floatation plant. The strategy recommended by EPCM Contractor involves the supply of a complete spodumene flotation plant based on similar technology to that in extensive use elsewhere. The Company considers that the option discussed above related to inserts to the existing float cells is of sufficiently low cost and short time to support this option immediately. The EPCM Contractor option remains and may still be considered as part of the near-term plans to increase production at Zulu.
At the same time, it should be noted that the Company has engaged other reagent suppliers to continuously review and if indicated recommend alternative reagent regimes. The Company previously reported on several options for the future of Zulu, all of which remain under consideration, and due diligence is being undertaken by potentially interested parties. As the Company cannot rely on any single outcome this strongly supports the decision to proceed with Enprotec's advice on the plant, irrespective of the outcome of these strategic initiatives.
Shareholders should note that the effectiveness of the measures referred to above will only be known as and when the Zulu plant is fully commissioned and brought into commercial production, the timing of which continues to be uncertain.
George Roach, CEO commented" With this progress on the plant, and the recently notified updated resource estimate, Premier and its shareholders should be looking at the immediate future with much more confidence. "
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of
The person who arranged the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was George Roach.
A copy of this announcement is available at the Company's website, www.premierafricanminerals.com
ENPROTEC
Enprotec have reviewed and approved this release to the extent that reference is made to the flotation plant. Enprotec is a Multi-disciplinary Engineering Applications Group that Offers End-to-end Solutions to the Mining & Mineral Processing Industry. Enprotec aim to extract ore optimally and derive tangible value for its clients from their operations while eliminating environmental risks. Enprotec is a global partner in the mineral processing industry, offering a diverse range of solutions and technologies.
Enprotec involvement in Zulu was originally under the engagement and direction of Stark. Following Zulu's engineering team taking over as the operator of the Zulu plant, Enprotec have agreed to provide such support as requested by Zulu as may be required in the continuing optimisation, remedy and improvement of the Stark designed flotation plant.
Enquiries:
George Roach |
Premier African Minerals Limited |
Tel: +27 (0) 100 201 281 |
Michael Cornish / Roland Cornish |
Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nominated Adviser) |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 3396 |
Douglas Crippen |
CMC Markets |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3003 8632 |
Toby Gibbs/Rachel Goldstein |
Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7408 4090 |
Important notice
Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont Cornish"), which is authorised and regulated in the
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ''believe'' ''could'' "should" ''envisage'' ''estimate'' ''intend'' ''may'' ''plan'' ''will'' or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth results of operations performance future capital and other expenditures (including the amount. Nature and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions competition environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. The Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward looking statements.
Glossary |
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"Stark" |
The Zulu design, procurement, installation, and commissioning contractor, Stark International Projects Limited. |
Notes to Editors:
Premier African Minerals Limited (AIM: PREM) is a multi-commodity mining and natural resource development company focused on
The Company has a diverse portfolio of projects, which include tungsten, rare earth elements, lithium and tantalum in
Ends
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