Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
Premier African Minerals Limited has reached a significant milestone in the revival of its flagship Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project, with the company confirming that ore from the Run-of-Mine (ROM) pad is now being processed through the newly installed flotation plant.
The development marks a crucial step in the recommencement of operations at the Fort Rixon-based lithium project which has been undergoing plant modifications aimed at improving recovery rates and overall operational efficiency.
Premier African Minerals Managing Director, Mr Graham Hill said the company was encouraged by the initial performance of the flotation circuit, although optimisation work was still at an early stage.
“Initial observations are positive and the flotation plant is operating as expected.
“As the plant has only recently commenced processing ROM material, it remains early in the optimisation process, and it would therefore be premature to comment regarding recovery characteristics or overall plant performance,” said Mr Hill.
The commencement of ore processing through the flotation plant follows an update issued by the company on May 26, 2026, regarding progress on the installation and commissioning of the facility.
The flotation plant is a critical addition to the Zulu processing circuit and is expected to enhance the project’s ability to produce spodumene concentrate, a key raw material used in lithium-ion battery manufacturing.
The global demand for lithium remains underpinned by the accelerating transition towards electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems and broader decarbonisation efforts, positioning lithium projects such as Zulu to benefit from long-term market fundamentals.
Mr Hill said work was continuing to fine-tune the plant and assess its operational performance as processing activities progress.
“Ongoing analysis and optimisation work are being undertaken, and further updates will be provided in due course.
“This is a very positive step in the re-start of Zulu and congratulations to the Zulu team who have managed to complete this significant addition to the plant,” he said.
The project is one of Zimbabwe’s strategic lithium assets and forms part of the country’s broader efforts to leverage its vast mineral resources to drive economic growth, attract investment and strengthen export earnings.
Zimbabwe is home to some of the world’s largest hard-rock lithium deposits and has emerged as a key destination for investment in battery minerals, with several major projects either operational or under development.
