Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
PREMIER African Minerals Limited has confirmed the presence of spodumene in concentrate produced at its Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project in Matabeleland South marking a key milestone in the commissioning of the mine’s new flotation plant and advancing the project towards commercial production.
Spodumene is a lithium-bearing mineral and the primary source of lithium used in the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries, energy storage systems and other clean energy technologies, making its successful production a significant development for the project.
In an operational update, the company said preliminary internal laboratory analysis conducted by the Zulu operational team confirmed the presence of spodumene in concentrate produced to date.
However, the company cautioned that the results are still preliminary and have not yet been independently verified.
“These results are preliminary in nature, have been generated by the Company’s internal laboratory and should not be regarded as independently verified,” said the company.
Premier said concentrate grades achieved so far remain below target levels but have shown progressive improvement as commissioning and optimisation activities continue.
“While concentrate grades achieved to date remain below target levels, the Company has observed a progressive improvement in concentrate quality as commissioning and initial optimisation activities continue.
“It is normal during the early stages of flotation plant commissioning for concentrate grades to be below target specification as operating parameters are refined and the circuit stabilises.”
The company said commissioning and optimisation work are still underway and it remains too early to provide definitive guidance on recovery rates, final concentrate grades, throughput rates or overall plant performance.
Management is focusing on refining reagent additions, flotation parameters and plant stability to improve both concentrate grade and recovery.
“The operating team continues to focus on refining reagent additions, flotation parameters and plant stability with the objective of maximising both concentrate grade and recovery. Further updates will be provided in due course as additional operating data becomes available,” said the company.
Commenting on the development, Premier African Minerals Managing Director Mr Graham Hill described the production of the first spodumene concentrate as a major achievement for the project.
“The production of first spodumene concentrate marks an important milestone in the commissioning of the new flotation plant and provides initial confirmation that the flotation circuit is operating and producing a spodumene-bearing concentrate stream.
“Based on the operating data accumulated to date, the plant appears to be exhibiting improved operational stability relative to previous operations. This is believed to be attributable to the simplification of the process flowsheet and the modifications implemented across the process plant, although further operating time will be required to fully assess long-term performance,” he said.
Mr Hill said the latest development demonstrated progress made through plant modifications and operational improvements.
“The production of spodumene concentrate from the modified plant and new spodumene flotation plant represents a significant step forward in the development of Zulu, and I would like to congratulate the Zulu team on achieving this important operational milestone.”
The Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project is among Zimbabwe’s strategic lithium developments and is expected to strengthen the country’s position as a key supplier of battery minerals to global clean energy markets.
