Premier Nears Zulu Plant Restart, Targets Cost Reduction
London Stock Exchange-listed mining and exploration junior, Premier African Minerals, is nearing the restart of operations at its Zulu Lithium and Tantalum project following positive updates from Enprotec, the supplier of the site’s flotation plant.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
In a recent operational review, Enprotec confirmed that no major changes are required to the current plant equipment, which is crucial for achieving the desired lithium recoveries and grade.
The company has been conducting detailed laboratory tests to fine-tune plant processes, including reagent dosing, agitation speeds, slurry densities, and water flow rates. Enprotec expects to complete the testing by the end of this week, after which Premier will determine the timeline for restarting the Zulu plant.
These optimization efforts have delayed production, but Premier CEO George Roach emphasized the significant progress made in enhancing the flotation circuit.
Roach also expressed optimism about the financial outlook for Zulu, with internal estimates projecting a spodumene concentrate production cost of around US$500 per ton once the plant is fully optimized.
However, he noted that the cost estimates do not yet include potential revenue from tantalum recovery or other industrial minerals found at the Zulu pegmatite.
He added that further funding will likely be needed to resume production later this month, once the testing is complete and the optimization issues hindering production are resolved.
“Premier remains appreciative of Enprotec’s efforts and looks forward to updating shareholders on the results of their test work. We are encouraged by the outcome of the internal financial review, although it doesn’t yet account for any potential revenue from tantalum recovery or other industrial minerals from the Zulu pegmatite.”
“Premier will restart the plant once the laboratory work is completed and the optimization issues that have prevented proper production are resolved. While this has reduced current expenditure, the company will still need additional funding, particularly to recommence production later this month,” Roach said.