Alternative Investment Market (AIM) listed mining and exploration junior Premier African Minerals has completed 107 holes for a total of 24,828.04 metres at its Zulu lithium and tantalum project near Bulawayo, the company said through its drilling update for July.
Rudairo Mapuranga
According to Zulu lithium Drilling Update for July, Premier is currently drilling 5 holes for a total of 356.06 metres, the company recently reported that the Zulu lithium project has intersected multiple thick high-grade zones.
Assay results from drill hole ZDD075 revealed 1.29% lithium oxide and 62 parts per million (ppm) of tantalum pentoxide over 3.74 m, from 56.96 m below the surface. In comparison, mineralisation of 0.92% lithium oxide and 36 ppm of tantalum pentoxide was recorded over 2.38 m, 61.14 m below the surface, the same drill hole also found mineralisation of 1.16% lithium oxide and 15 ppm of tantalum pentoxide over 3.89 m, 102 m below surface.
Company CEO George Roach said tantalum and rubidium presence remains prevalent in the project with the result giving confidence to the miner to support its pilot project concept.
“The results set out below are again impressive. Notable is the continued pervasive Tantalum and Rubidium presence. The results reported are from boreholes within the existing resource area and are part of the ongoing programme that is intended to upgrade confidence in the original resource estimate from an inferred level to an indicated level.
“At the same time, we have reviewed all the previous work done prior to January 2022 and adjusted the geological model as indicated. The work to date has provided the level of confidence we needed internally to support the pilot plant concept as recently announced. In fact, what we are now understanding about the Zulu deposit is entirely complementary to the use of sensor-based ore sorting and in time is likely to result in a most efficient and effective process.
“It should be noted that these results are all confined within the original claims area. The deposit remains open on strike in both directions and at depth.” Roach said.