Premier African Minerals, has confirmed that its new spodumene flotation plant for the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project is expected to arrive on site today, following a short delay from the previously announced timetable, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
In a corporate update, the London-listed company also addressed the recent suspension of lithium concentrate and raw mineral exports announced by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, confirming it remains in dialogue with authorities and does not anticipate the ban disrupting future production from Zulu.
Flotation Plant Delivery Imminent
The 15–20 tonnes-per-hour spodumene flotation circuit, procured from Xinhai Technology Processing, is now scheduled to arrive at Zulu on or around Tuesday, 3 March. A specialist installation engineer from the manufacturer arrived on site yesterday (2 March 2026), with the Zulu team ready to begin assembly immediately on foundations already constructed.
Additional materials for access walkways and electrical cabling are being purchased separately and will be delivered during the assembly phase. The company continues to target commissioning and optimisation of the new flotation circuit during the second quarter of 2026.
“I am extremely pleased to report that, following a short delay from the timetable previously announced and after several weeks of planning and mobilisation, we now expect the new spodumene flotation plant to arrive on site on Tuesday, 3 March,” the company’s Managing Director, Graham Hill, said.
The new spodumene flotation circuit will replace the previous circuit, with the balance of the processing plant retained. A further update will be provided at the company’s Annual General Meeting this Wednesday.
Engagement Over Lithium Export Suspension
Premier also addressed the recent announcement by the Ministry of Mines regarding the immediate suspension of lithium concentrate and raw mineral exports. The company confirmed it is fully aware of the regulatory development and remains in open dialogue with the Ministry regarding the suspension and the framework for future product shipments from Zulu.
During 2024, Premier formally engaged with the Ministry and presented its proposed beneficiation and value addition strategy for Zulu, outlining longer-term processing and optimisation plans designed to enhance in-country value addition. The company stated it will continue engagement to ensure alignment with Zimbabwe’s evolving beneficiation policy framework.
“In the meantime, and in response to certain recent announcements by the Ministry regarding the suspension of lithium concentrate and raw mineral exports with immediate effect, we are maintaining dialogue with the Ministry and remain aligned with Zimbabwe’s beneficiation objectives, having previously presented our value addition roadmap for Zulu,” Hill added.
The company stated that, based on its understanding that the ban is targeted at specific issues, it does not currently envisage the suspension impeding Zulu’s future commercial production strategy as it progresses installation and commissioning of the flotation plant. A further update will be provided as and when the situation is clarified.
