AIM-listed mining and exploration junior Premier African Minerals has received a renewed commitment from its key partner, Canmax Technologies Co., Ltd, following the company’s recent Placing and Retail Offer, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
In a joint effort to secure the future of the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project, Canmax has confirmed its intent to align with Premier for the completion of both the primary and secondary flotation plants. This move solidifies the partnership’s goal of achieving the required spodumene grade and recovery to bring the Zulu Project into full production.
Under the terms of the restated Offtake and Prepayment Agreement, first announced in August 2023 and later amended in December 2024, Canmax reaffirmed that their prepayment agreement remains unchanged. Canmax’s financial commitment was made to secure SC6 delivery (a lithium spodumene concentrate), and not to pursue ownership or control of Zulu’s operations. This clarification quashes any speculation that Canmax was aiming for managerial influence over the project, instead focusing on Premier’s delivery of the agreed product.
According to George Roach, CEO of Premier African Minerals, the company is confident in completing the optimisation and final commissioning of its flotation plant at Zulu.
“I remain confident that Premier will complete the optimisation and final commissioning of the spodumene float circuit at Zulu. The extensive additional test work completed in the latter part of 2024 and the purchase of additional float cells to be installed at Zulu will support this,” he said.
Roach’s comments come after Premier’s aggressive push to finalise plant operations at Zulu. According to Roach, Premier and Canmax share the same objective: to meet product delivery commitments and liquidate the prepayment that made the construction of Zulu possible. Without Canmax’s financial input, Zulu’s development would not have progressed to this point.
The Zulu Lithium Project, located in Zimbabwe, is one of the largest undeveloped lithium-bearing pegmatite resources in the country, with significant potential to become a key player in the global lithium market. The demand for lithium, a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, continues to surge, making the success of Zulu critical for Premier African Minerals and its stakeholders.
The announcement further boosts market confidence in Premier’s ability to overcome the technical and financial challenges that have delayed Zulu’s production. The focus now shifts to the optimisation and commissioning of the project’s spodumene float circuit, which, once operational, will mark a significant milestone in bringing Zulu into full production.
The reaffirmed partnership between Premier and Canmax signals a robust and united front to push the project across the finish line. With continued collaboration and aligned goals, the completion of the commissioning at Zulu is seen as the final hurdle before Premier can meet the rising demand for lithium products globally.
As the world races toward clean energy solutions, the importance of lithium cannot be overstated. Projects like Zulu will be essential in ensuring a sustainable supply of this critical mineral.
