Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
Zimpapers Business Hub
PREMIER African Minerals has said the Government’s recent suspension of lithium concentrate and raw mineral exports will not affect future production from its flagship Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project.
This comes as the company presses ahead with the installation of a new key spodumene flotation plant.
Last week, the Government suspended lithium concentrate and raw mineral exports with immediate effect as part of measures to promote value addition and beneficiation in line with national policy.
In a communique, Premier acknowledged the development but expressed confidence that its long-term production strategy remains intact.
Premier is a London-listed mining and resource development company focused on acquiring and developing mineral assets in Southern Africa, specifically targeting high-demand commodities like lithium, tungsten and tantalum.
Its flagship asset is the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project in Zimbabwe.
The miner, with operations at Fort Rixon, expects to take delivery of a 15-20 tonnes per hour spodumene flotation circuit today, marking a significant milestone in the project’s development.
“The company notes the recent announcement by the ministry regarding the suspension of lithium concentrate and raw mineral exports with immediate effect.
“Premier confirms that it is fully aware of the recent regulatory development and remains in open dialogue with the ministry in respect of the suspension and the framework for future product shipments from Zulu following commissioning of the flotation plant,” it said in a statement.
The company said it had already engaged Government authorities on its beneficiation roadmap well before the latest policy position.
“The company further confirms that during 2024, it formally engaged with the ministry and presented its proposed beneficiation and value addition strategy for Zulu.
“That engagement included outlining the company’s longer-term processing and optimisation plans designed to enhance in-country value addition and the company will continue to engage with the ministry to ensure alignment between Zulu’s operational roadmap and Zimbabwe’s evolving beneficiation policy framework.”
Premier indicated that, based on its current understanding of the regulatory position, the suspension is targeted at specific issues and is not expected to derail its commercial rollout.
“The board does not currently envisage, on the basis that their understanding is that the ban is targeted at specific issues, that the recent suspension will impede Zulu’s future commercial production strategy as the company progresses installation and commissioning of the flotation plant,” Premier said.
Peter Tanyanyiwa