Premier African Minerals Expects New Spodumene Flotation Plant at Zimbabwe’s Zulu Lithium Project
Premier African Minerals has announced that a new spodumene flotation plant for its Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project is expected to arrive on site on March 3, following a brief delay to the previously announced delivery schedule.
The Aim-listed mining company said the installation forms part of ongoing efforts to upgrade processing capacity at the Zimbabwean project.
An installation engineer from Yantai Xinhai Mining Machinery Company is scheduled to arrive at the Zulu site on March 2 to oversee the assembly and installation of the new flotation circuit.
The new plant, designed to process 15 to 20 tonnes of ore per hour, will replace the previous spodumene flotation circuit while integrating with the existing processing plant infrastructure. The upgrade is expected to improve operational efficiency and enhance lithium concentrate recovery.
Premier stated that additional materials required for construction including access walkways and electrical cabling are being procured separately by the Zulu operation and will be delivered during the plant assembly phase.
Managing Director Graham Hill said the project team is ready to begin installation immediately after the plant arrives.
“The Zulu team stands ready to begin assembling the plant as soon as it arrives, using the foundations already constructed. Commissioning and optimisation will be carried out alongside specialists from the manufacturer during the second quarter of this year,” Hill said.
The company continues to target commissioning of the new flotation circuit in the second quarter, marking an important milestone toward full commercial production at the lithium project.
Meanwhile, Premier also acknowledged a recent announcement by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development regarding the immediate suspension of lithium concentrate and raw mineral exports.
In a statement to shareholders, the company confirmed it is aware of the regulatory development and remains in active discussions with the ministry regarding the suspension and the framework governing future shipments from the Zulu project once the flotation plant is operational.
Premier further noted that in 2024 it formally engaged with the ministry to present its beneficiation and value-addition strategy for the project.
The discussions included outlining longer-term processing and optimisation plans aimed at increasing in-country mineral processing.
The company said it will continue to work closely with authorities to ensure its operational plans align with Zimbabwe’s evolving mineral beneficiation policy.
According to the company’s board, the current export suspension is understood to address specific issues and is not expected to significantly affect the long-term commercial production strategy at Zulu.
“This suspension is understood to target specific issues, and we do not believe it will create problems for future production from Zulu,” Hill said.
Premier added that it will provide further updates to shareholders once there is greater clarity regarding the policy and its implementation.
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