Nqobile Bhebhe Zimpapers Business Hub
PREMIER African Minerals Limited is targeting the resumption of processing operations at its Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project during the week commencing November 16, following substantial completion of critical engineering works and plant modifications, raising prospects for renewed production at the lithium asset.
The planned restart marks an important step in the company’s efforts to stabilise operations at Zulu, with management adopting a revised strategy that prioritises an initial processing campaign using available ore stocks rather than waiting to accumulate a larger run-of-mine (ROM) stockpile.
In an update, Premier African Minerals managing director Graham Hill said preparations had progressed significantly, although the company had taken longer than initially anticipated to complete the final stages ahead of recommencement.
“We had originally anticipated recommencing operations during October. Whilst the final stages of preparation have taken longer than expected, we are now targeting the recommencement of processing activities during the week commencing 16 November 2026,” he said.
The revised approach is expected to provide an opportunity to demonstrate improved plant stability, operational consistency and satisfactory mineral recoveries, while producing spodumene concentrate that meets the required quality specifications.
Mr Hill said the initial operating campaign would also generate important technical information to guide subsequent operational phases.
“We believe this revised approach represents the most effective use of our available resources and provides an opportunity to demonstrate stable and consistent plant performance, satisfactory
recoveries and the production of spodumene concentrate of the required quality.
“The campaign will also generate valuable operational data to inform the next phase of operations. Experience gained during previous campaigns has significantly improved our understanding of the plant’s requirements and the measures needed to achieve greater reliability and consistency.”
The successful restart would represent an important milestone for the Zulu project, particularly as Zimbabwe continues to pursue greater value addition and beneficiation of its lithium resources.
Mr Hill said the immediate priority was to complete outstanding preparations and resume processing in a controlled and sustainable manner.
“With the engineering preparations substantially complete and the remaining workforce arrangements progressing, we remain confident that recommencement of processing activities during the week commencing 16 November 2026 is achievable.
“Our immediate priority is to complete the final preparations and recommence processing in a controlled and sustainable manner. We look forward to demonstrating the improvements made at Zulu through the forthcoming operating campaign and will provide further updates as appropriate.”
