Premier African Minerals Experiences Ups and Downs at Zulu Lithium Plant

Premier African Minerals, a diversified mining group focused on Zimbabwe, is navigating through both promising developments and challenges at its Fort Rixon lithium mine in Matabeleland South Province. CEO George Roach shared his mixed feelings about the progress at the Zulu Lithium plant, which is on the brink of commencing commercial production, with initial shipments anticipated in March.

The company has been gearing up for a production rate of up to 1,000 tonnes of spodumene per month, recently receiving critical plant equipment for installation. Recent tests have seen the plant operating with primary ore feed, and while optimization of new components is ongoing, minor operational issues are being addressed to stabilize plant operations.

Roach's optimism is tempered by frustration due to system and control issues disrupting the newly installed mill's performance, which otherwise exceeds expectations. Despite these hurdles, Premier African Minerals remains hopeful for continuous plant operation by the end of February 2024 and plans to issue a further update soon.

This period of transition, marked by the partial suspension of operations last November for civil construction and the installation of a 55 tons per hour ball mill, underscores the complexities and potential of lithium mining in Zimbabwe.