REG - Premier African Min - Zulu Assay Results and Pilot Plant Update
20/10/2022 07:00
For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
http://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20221020:nRST5347Da&default-theme=true
RNS Number : 5347D Premier African Minerals Limited 20 October 2022
20 October 2022
Premier African Minerals Limited
Zulu Assay Results and Pilot Plant Update
Premier African Minerals Limited ("Premier" or the "Company"), is pleased to
report on assay results at Premier's Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project
("Zulu"). These results are from boreholes that constitute part of the Mineral
Resource update required to support the DFS.
Highlights:
· Multiple thick high-grade zones intersected
· Lithium-bearing mineral assemblage exhibits high spodumene content in the
thickest pegmatite, north and south of the Machakwe river
George Roach, CEO commented, "I am pleased to share further important assay
results from Zulu, and more so to report that within the main pegmatite ore
body, all indications point to the mineralisation being almost exclusively
spodumene with little to no petalite and equally low contained micaceous
mineralisation carrying any lithium. The effect of this is that lithium
reported in the intersections below is contained in spodumene, and the
extension thereto being that lithium reported in our resource statements
related to the main ore body is indicative of the spodumene content. Whilst
the pilot plant will need to demonstrate the recoveries, test work completed
in 2017 by Anzaplan, indicated an 80% plus recovery. In effect, it will be
possible to draw a direct relationship between lithium contained in the
deposit and the gross contained spodumene.
Work at site and on plant construction is proceeding well and at this time, we
remain on target and within budget. More to follow."
Drill Holes: Lithium & Tantalum Results
The table below sets out the composites determined, as per the outlined
compositing routine in the text below the table, from analyses received from
the independent external laboratory (SGS) for holes ZDD088, ZDD113, ZDD115,
ZDD116, ZDD117, ZDD118, ZDD120 & ZDD128.
Table 1 -Assay Summary Results
Hole From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Li(2)O% Ta(2)O(5) ppm Rb ppm
ZDD088 158.20 160.70 2.50 0.55 157 2045
ZDD113 126.12 128.12 2.28 1.55 73 1179
ZDD113 131.85 134.55 3.67 1.01 59 1107
ZDD113 227.08 229.67 2.59 1.53 72 1495
Incl. 228.08 229.08 1.00 3.04 82 747
ZDD115 124.00 126.00 2.00 0.70 87 1231
ZDD115 152.24 154.24 2.00 0.94 75 1045
ZDD116 63.90 77.00 13.10 1.66 174 5022
Incl. 67.90 68.90 1.00 2.06 115 4822
Incl. 70.90 71.9 1.00 2.29 164 4105
ZDD117 123.79 150.70 26.91 1.16 102 1567
Incl. 127.39 129.39 2.00 2.23 60 416
Incl. 142.39 143.39 1.00 1.96 62 909
ZDD117 253.55 255.55 2.00 1.79 27 1172
ZDD117 266.55 268.82 2.27 0.95 27 1068
ZDD118 94.42 100.80 6.38 1.44 109 1851
Incl. 95.96 98.96 3.00 2.14 110 5526
ZDD120 99.65 103.65 4.00 0.90 175 307
ZDD120 106.90 108.90 2.00 0.87 360 329
ZDD128 154.98 156.84 2.20 0.65 39 1737
ZDD128 218.92 225.17 6.25 0.99 49 2056
Incl. 222.67 225.17 2.50 1.54 60 2509
ZDD128 229.17 233.70 4.53 0.62 19 1946
ZDD128 237.25 239.25 2.00 0.78 24 2224
*Not True Width but lineal width
**0.50% Li(2)O cut-off applied.
The following compositing routine was applied:
· 0.50% Li(2)O cut-off was applied to the pegmatitic intersections only.
· <2m standalone composites at the cut-off grade but with an overall weighted
average grade of >0.5% Li(2)O are not reported.
· Within any composite >2m thickness, high-grade intersections of 1m are
reported, and
· Within any composite, inclusions of country rock of <2m thickness are
included within the composite provided the overall grade of the composite is
not <0.50% Li(2)O.
Table 2 - Drill Holes Collar Coordinates
DHole UTM 35S* UTM 35S* Elevation (AMSL) Azimuth TN (°) Dip EOH
Easting Northing (°) (m)
ZDD088 750975 7782224 1330 130 -60 203.75
ZDD113 750982 7782180 1333 113 -51 255.09
ZDD115 750987 7782127 1336 103 -49 156.60
ZDD116 750906 7782042 1322 112 -48 175.00
ZDD117 750841 7782064 1322 107 -48 300.00
ZDD118 750955 7782079 1326 109 -49 150.00
ZDD120 750986 7782443 1315 109 -49 275.34
ZDD128 751129 7782970 1320 110 -49 334.98
* ARC1950 Datum
Table 3 - Drilling Progress
A summary of the number of drill holes completed both prior to and for the
ongoing DFS is set out below:
PROGRAMME No of Drill Holes Completed Metres (m)
RST (1958) 7 903.90
ZULU - Initial Exploration 6 2,312.90
ZULU - PEA 43 5,809.10
ZULU - DFS (completed) 121 27,636.97
ZULU - DFS (in progress) 1 280.48
Table 4 - Analytical Pipeline
A summary of the status of DFS drill core analysis is set out below:
DFS - results received to date (excluding QA/QC samples) 4254
DFS - # QA/QC samples analysed 432
DFS - sample pulps at SGS Randfontein awaiting analysis 1780
DFS - sample pulps ready to be shipped to SGS 500
DFS - samples being pulped at Antec 400
DFS - ongoing sampling of drill cores at site* 500
*Estimate
Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)
The drill holes are initially sited using a hand-held GPS (Global Positioning
System device) within the tenement areas. Accurate coordinates and elevations
of drill holes collars are subsequently derived from a DGPS (Differential
Global Position devices) survey.
Drill cores are geologically logged, intersections of interest are selected
are marked-up with unique sample ID assigned before splitting and sampling.
Cores are cut in half using a core cutter, individual samples bagged, and sent
for analysis.
Alternating Certified Refence Materials (CRM), blank or duplicate samples are
inserted every 10(th) sample into the sample stream sent to the laboratory to
ensure QA/QC compliance. These QA/QC samples are assessed upon receipt of
analyses, checked and, if acceptable, accepted into the analytical database.
Follow-up with the laboratory is instigated in cases were any QA/QC sample
fails the QA/QC parameters.
Currently, drill core samples are crushed and pulverised at the Antec
Laboratory, Zimbabwe to 85% passing -75 microns. Sample pulps are inspected
for export in Harare by the competent government authorities and couriered to
the SGS Laboratory Services in Randfontein, South Africa where pulps are fused
with sodium peroxide and analysed by ICP-OES and ICP-MS to report 51-elements.
(SGS code ICP90A50 & IMS90A50).
The Geology of Zulu
The area, located in the Fort Rixon Greenstone Belt, is underlain by
Archaean-aged meta-volcanics and meta-sedimentary sequences of the Bulawayan
Supergroup, with serpentinites and banded iron formations at the base in the
east and metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary sequences to the west. The
greenstone belt is tear drop shaped measuring 30 km long and 19 km wide near
the broad section at the top. Metamorphism is retrograded to Greenschist
facies.
The Zulu Pegmatite is a LCT (Lithium-Caesium-Tantalum) pegmatite swarm which
intrudes along the contacts between serpentine and metamorphosed
volcano-sedimentary sequences over a strike length of several kilometres.
Outcrop widths vary between 10 and 50 m. The pegmatite bodies strike N20° and
dip 70° to 90° to the west.
The area was first pegged in 1955 by J.S. Willemse and intensely explored,
under an option, with mapping, trenching and drilling by Rhodesian Selection
Trust Co. Ltd. ("RST") in 1958. In 1961 and 1962 a small quantity of petalite
from the River Pegmatites (see below) was mined by W. Burchett in partnership
with J.S. Willemse. Premier later acquired the claims in 2013.
Recent mapping and interpretation of the pegmatite swarm from
semi-quantitative X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) has identified three distinct phases
of pegmatites. A spodumene-rich, thick pegmatite named the Main Zone which
lies north and south of the Machakwe River, footwall low-spodumene pegmatites
with associated tantalum and rubidium and a suite of petalite-bearing
pegmatites of short strike length named the River Pegmatites.
In general, the lithium minerals, occurring in varying quantities, are coarse
grained with associated feldspars and quartz with only very minor sulphides
being observed. In several contact zones, the lithium-bearing amphibole,
holmquistite, has been observed.
Qualified Person:
Bruce Cumming, geologist with Premier, has reviewed and approved this release
to the extent that reference is made to Zulu. Mr. Cumming is a SACNASP and
GSSA registered geoscientist with 46 years' experience in exploration and
project management, in multicommodity projects throughout Africa.
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to
constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations
(EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
The person who arranged the release of this announcement on behalf of the
Company was George Roach.
Forward Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward
looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of
terms and phrases such as ''believe'' ''could'' "should" ''envisage''
''estimate'' ''intend'' ''may'' ''plan'' ''will'' or the negative of those
variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions.
These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather
on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's
future growth results of operations performance future capital and other
expenditures (including the amount. Nature and sources of funding thereof)
competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward
looking statements reflect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and
are based on information currently available to the Directors. A number of
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results
discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with
vulnerability to general economic and business conditions competition
environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities
the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and
underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of
the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this
announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable
assumptions. The Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be
consistent with such forward looking statements.
Notes to Editors:
Premier African Minerals Limited (AIM: PREM) is a multi-commodity mining and
natural resource development company focused on Southern Africa with its RHA
Tungsten and Zulu Lithium projects in Zimbabwe.
The Company has a diverse portfolio of projects, which include tungsten, rare
earth elements, lithium and tantalum in Zimbabwe and lithium and gold in
Mozambique, encompassing brownfield projects with near-term production
potential to grass-roots exploration. The Company has accepted a share offer
by Vortex Limited ("Vortex") for the exchange of Premier's entire 4.8%
interest in Circum Minerals Limited ("Circum"), the owners of the Danakil
Potash Project in Ethiopia, for a 13.1% interest in the enlarged share capital
of Vortex. Vortex has an interest of 36.7% in Circum.
In addition, the Company holds a 19% interest in MN Holdings Limited, the
operator of the Otjozondu Manganese Mining Project in Namibia.
Enquiries:
George Roach Premier African Minerals Limited Tel: +27 (0) 100 201 281
Michael Cornish / Roland Cornish Beaumont Cornish Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 3396
(Nominated Adviser)
John More/Toby Gibbs Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7408 4090
Glossary of Technical Terms:
"amphibole" A class of rock-forming silicate or aluminosilicate minerals typically
occurring as fibrous or columnar crystals.
"Banded Iron Formation (BIF)" A sedimentary rock consisting of alternating layers of iron oxides and
iron-poor chert.
"DFS" Definitive Feasibility Study.
"Greenschist facies" The Greenschist facies is at low pressure and temperature. The facies is named
for the typical schistose texture of the rocks and green colour of the
minerals chlorite, epidote and actinolite.
"feldspar" An aluminosilicate mineral consisting of potassium, sodium, and calcium.
"Holmquistite" A lithium-bearing amphibole related to hornblende with a formula as
(Na,K,Ca)Li(Mg,Fe)(3)Al(2)Si(8)O(22)(OH)(2.)
"ICP-OES" Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy.
"ICP-MS" Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
"Lepidolite" A pink to lavender coloured lithium bearing mineral (KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2).
"Li to Li2O" x 2.153.
"Li" Lithium.
"Li(2)O" Lithium Oxide (Lithia) - an inorganic lithium compound used to assess lithium
minerals.
"m" Meters.
"meta-sediments" Sedimentary rocks that have been metamorphosed.
"meta-volcanics" Volcanic rocks that have been metamorphosed.
"Petalite" A white coloured lithium bearing mineral (LiAl(Si4O10)).
"ppm" parts per million.
"Rb" Rubidium.
"serpentinite" A dark, typically greenish metamorphic rock, consisting of serpentine or
related minerals, formed when mafic igneous rocks are altered.
"Spodumene" A white to pink coloured lithium bearing mineral (LiAlSi2O6).
"Ta to Ta2O5" x 1.221.
"Ta" Tantalum.
"X-Ray Diffraction" X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a widely used technique to assess the mineral
assemblage, crystallinity and structure of rocks, cores etc.
LITHIUM CLASSIFICATION AND CONVERSION FACTORS
Lithium grades are normally presented in percentages or ppm. Grades of
deposits are also expressed as lithium compounds in percentages, for example
as a percent lithium oxide (Li(2)O) content. The standard conversion factors
are set out in the table below:
Table: Conversion Factors for Lithium Compounds and Minerals
Convert from Convert to Li Convert to Li(2)O
Lithium Li 1.000 2.153
Lithium Oxide Li(2)O 0.464 1.000
Ends
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact
rns@lseg.com (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.
RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
. END MSCMMBATMTTTMTTRecent news on Premier African Minerals
See all newsREG - Premier African Min. - Canmax Interest Conversion
AnnouncementREG - Premier African Min. - Corporate Update
AnnouncementREG - Premier African Min. - Interim Funding
AnnouncementREG - Premier African Min. - Result of Meeting
AnnouncementREG - Premier African Min. - Zulu Lithium Update
Announcement