Zulu Lithium Plant Update
Zulu lithium plant test run achieved target concentrate grade of 5% but recovery rates not yet optimized.
- Concentrate grade achieved exceeding 5% target
- Initial plant test run commenced 6 July 2025
Select text to share a quote on X · sign in to keep highlights & notes in your PREM notes
Premier African Minerals Limited ("Premier" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on completion of the initial flotation plant test run at the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project ("Zulu") following the installation of the spodumene float section inserts. As previously announced, the initial plant test run commenced on 6 July 2025.
The Zulu Plant
Following the installation of the cleaner cell inserts, the plant was restarted on 6 July 2025. Before any comprehensive assessment could be made, it was necessary for the plant to achieve a state of stability and constant running. Due to the long-standing time prior to re-starting the plant, it took longer than anticipated to achieve a constant running state, which was finally achieved towards the end of the initial test run.
The inserts have now shown that they reduce the retention time of concentrates in the cleaner section of the original float plant as originally contemplated by the OEM. During this test run, there were encouraging signs, including an observed improvement in concentrate grade with results exceeding the target grade of 5% in the final cleaner cell prior to being pumped to the filter press (bagging plant). This has not been matched for now by a meaningful improvement in recoveries, with excess LiO2 present in the tailings which are then recirculated to the flotation circuit.
Premier's priority is to achieve a commercially saleable grade and then optimise for recovery and in that context, Premier is encouraged with these early indications. To improve the recovery rate and further ongoing optimisation, the initial plant test run has stopped and the OEM for the float plant will assume full operational control of the plant for the week commencing 21 July 2025 during which the plant test run will recommence with an objective to achieve a sustained steady-state of operation, which will provide a clearer basis for evaluating floatation plants performance and identifying any opportunities for optimisation that would contribute to improved recoveries ("OEM Test Run") to optimise those elements of the plant.
To this extent, ongoing maintenance and checks of the operation of each of the plant components continue, with the intention to have the plant restarted as part of the OEM Test Run next week.
George Roach, CEO, commented; "As much as Premier is pleased with the initial progress to date, we were frustrated with the time needed to get the plant into a constant running state, although as reminded by our OEM that this not a simple plant and maintaining target operating parameters requires time and patience.
We remain deeply appreciative of the ongoing support we have from our contractors, staff and shareholders. Civil construction for the alternative spodumene float section is now almost complete, which is planned to provide both a fallback option if needed and also the ability to expand Zulu existing process capacity of spodumene concentrate."
Market Abuse Regulations
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.
Glossary
| "OEM" | Original Equipment Suppliers. |
| "Li2O" | Lithium Oxide and is the standard referenced in our Mineral Resource Estimate. |
Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.