REG - Premier African Min - Zulu Assay Results and Pilot Plant Update
20/12/2022 08:00
For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
http://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20221220:nRST3003Ka&default-theme=true
RNS Number : 3003K Premier African Minerals Limited 20 December 2022
20 December 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 are located within the area
planned to be mined under operation of the Pilot Plant and will constitute a
portion 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.
· Consistent progress in construction of the Pilot Plant.
George Roach, CEO commented, "These assay results are further confirmation of
the integrity of the ore body. At the same time, we continue to receive XRD
analysis that supports our conclusions that the main pegmatite ore body is
predominantly spodumene. To add context to this, when the source of Lithium
contained in an ore body is 100% spodumene, a grade of 1% Li2O would indicate
12.5% pure spodumene and approximately 16% SC6 when recover is 100%. Whilst
results, as they become available, will support new overall resource
estimates, our single-minded focus at present is to bring the Pilot Plant to
production and to be assured that we are able to consider early upgrades to
that plant to both increase spodumene production and exploit the range of
by-product potential that includes tantalum.
Progress at the mine site is good and delivery of components is ongoing.
Festive season delays are largely being managed and work is likely to continue
throughout the festive season with small break times on a rotational basis.
Civil support construction both at the plant site and the main masonry arch
dam progresses very well despite all the attempts of our wet season to
interfere and we remain on target to produce spodumene in Q1 2023. Our
management team and our team at site, JRG Construction, our civils contractor,
and Stark Resources our plant manufacturers and suppliers remain deeply
committed to this project and the individual sacrifices of so many are noted
and appreciated. This project would not be at this stage without the support
and commitment we have received from Suzhou TA&A Ultra Clean Technology
Co., Ltd. ("Suzhou TA&A"), and we remain deeply appreciative of that.
Suzhou TA&A have met their funding undertakings in full.
May I take this opportunity to thank our shareholders, and all concerned with
the Zulu project for their support and commitment and to wish you all well
over the festive season."
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 ZDD0126, ZDD129, ZDD130,
ZDD134, ZDD135, ZDD137, ZDD138, ZDD139, ZDD140, ZDD142, ZDD143, ZDD144,
ZDD148, GT-SP-02, GT-SP-03, GT-SP-04, GT-SP-06, GT-SP-07, & GT-NP-03.
Table 1 -Assay Summary Results
Hole From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Li(2)O% Ta(2)O(5) ppm Rb ppm
ZDD126 209.30 215.50 6.20 1.15 32 1698
Incl. 210.30 211.30 1.00 1.77 33 1999
Incl. 214.30 215.30 1.00 1.78 36 1336
ZDD129 224.73 227.72 2.99 1.38 17 3490
ZDD129 229.93 234.54 4.61 0.85 27 2320
Incl. 229.93 231.92 1.99 1.33 22 3141
ZDD129 238.37 240.68 2.31 0.98 35 2077
ZDD130 272.00 277.22 5.22 1.01 35 2336
Incl. 272.85 274.85 2.00 1.59 23 2259
ZDD134 260.50 262.88 2.38 1.14 123 2141
ZDD135 202.90 205.98 3.08 1.00 100 1436
Incl. 203.64 204.72 1.08 1.98 84 1176
ZDD137 268.13 274.43 6.30 1.50 73 1488
ZDD138 128.19 130.82 2.63 0.68 87 2029
ZDD139 193.86 196.90 3.04 1.17 177 1092
Incl. 195.10 196.90 1.80 1.80 154 1419
ZDD139 223.68 228.12 4.44 1.43 99 3057
ZDD140 173.78 205.98 32.20 1.67 47 1669
Incl. 181.65 182.65 1.00 2.81 37 1896
Incl. 188.20 189.20 1.00 2.50 36 1864
Incl. 193.20 195.20 2.00 2.57 9 341
Incl. 202.20 205.20 3.00 2.41 27 1858
ZDD140 208.76 213.02 4.26 1.27 41 1560
ZDD140 214.56 224.24 9.68 1.41 56 1362
ZDD140 332.36 335.90 3.54 1.97 93 629
Incl. 333.36 334.36 1.00 3.65 86 750
ZDD142 128.50 131.60 3.10 0.62 104 2266
ZDD142 148.83 151.79 2.96 0.87 152 2433
ZDD143 70.32 81.87 11.55 1.35 168 4967
Incl. 76.12 77.12 1.00 2.16 150 4022
ZDD144 51.25 54.30 3.05 0.66 73 2814
ZDD148 26.13 30.00 3.87 0.61 119 3837
GT-SP-02 134.28 137.45 3.17 1.20 148 2202
GT-SP-03 79.72 87.22 7.50 0.88 41 1894
Incl. 81.22 82.72 1.50 1.59 36 1750
GT-SP-04 71.95 77.95 6.00 0.89 53 312
Incl. 73.45 74.95 1.50 1.44 80 97
GT-SP-04 82.36 85.40 3.04 0.53 127 4936
GT-SP-06 4.34 9.54 5.20 1.13 115 1230
Incl. 7.34 8.84 1.50 1.75 76 852
GT-SP-06 15.00 23.22 8.22 1.30 75 1334
GT-SP-06 24.17 31.67 7.50 1.32 72 1439
GT-SP-06 44.00 55.85 11.85 1.12 79 1673
GT-SP-07 46.84 52.84 6.00 1.65 91 1166
GT-NP-03 126.33 129.33 3.00 1.38 36 2170
GT-NP-03 137.92 148.80 7.50 1.70 40 2006
Incl. 139.42 141.92 2.50 3.15 20 1197
*Not True Width but drilled width
**0.50% Li(2)O cut-off applied.
Table 2: Re-analysis of 2016-2017 drill programme.
The pegmatite intersections from the 2016-2017 drill programme have been
geologically re-logged and resampled to conform with the Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP) as applied to the DFS drill cores. This will allow for a
better integration of the drill data into the DFS database that will be used
for the final Mineral Resource Estimate
Hole From (m) To (m Width* (m) Li(2)O% Ta(2)O(5) ppm Rb ppm
ZDD005 127.00 129.70 2.00 1.12 86 1931
ZDD007 83.45 85.65 2.20 1.33 39 1645
ZDD014 14.38 17.06 2.68 1.02 62 191
ZDD014 44.17 46.66 2.49 0.75 43 1611
Incl. 44.17 45.17 1.00 1.33 40 1454
*Not True Width but drilled width
The following compositing routine has been 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 of >2m thickness, high-grade intersections of 1m and
greater are reported provided the high-grade intersection is a multiple of x
1.5 of the overall weighted composite grade, 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.
The following Table 3 sets out the drill hole collar coordinates for the drill
holes reported in Table 1 above:
Table 3 - Drill Holes Collar Coordinates - This RNS
Dhole UTM 35S* UTM 35S* Elevation (AMSL) Azimuth TN (°) Collar Dip EOH
Easting Northing (°) (m)
ZDD126 751090.622 7782937.658 1319.779 110 -49.65 346.68
ZDD129 751144.891 751144.891 1326.344 110 -48.8 279.98
ZDD130 751084.580 7783043.626 1320.757 110 -50.52 349.88
ZDD134 751010.654 7782319.901 1325.891 110 -51.65 350.00
ZDD135 750895.240 7782216.991 1326.247 110 -47.63 250.64
ZDD137 750830.770 7782128.372 1324.693 110 -49.78 325.04
ZDD138 750828.488 7782024.278 1321.297 120.3 -52.04 250.08
ZDD139 750757.804 7782049.554 1323.310 110 -50.22 300.00
ZDD140 750779.609 7782090.857 1324.388 110 -50.38 349.98
ZDD142 751372.055 7784412.980 1342.289 304.41 -58.18 179.09
ZDD143 751343.718 7784305.230 1343.619 270 -61.13 150.00
ZDD144 751365.434 7784197.029 1335.180 110 -60.88 150.00
ZDD148 750973.06 7781969.468 1319.603 87.64 -60.48 150.00
GT-SP-02 751006.761 7782265.846 1332.677 87.98 -70 220
GT-SP-03 751234.593 7782326.242 1311.480 289.98 -70 201.64
GT-SP-04 751035.812 7782459.986 1313.817 138.98 -70 210.68
GT-SP-06 751362.023 7782181.747 1309.953 230.98 -70 153.04
GT-SP-07 751354.410 7782102.092 1308.960 235.98 -70 180.54
GT-NP-03 751313.001 7782952.020 1334.161 16.98 -70 190.44
ZDD005 751068.723 7782570.256 1315.626 105.74 -59.9 150.38
ZDD007 751113.125 7782699.429 1321.658 106.64 -54.9 150.30
ZDD014 751065.149 7782453.164 1312.316 123.44 -44.3 100.80
* ARC1950 Datum (10m local datum shift)
Table 4 - Drilling Progress
A summary of the number of drill holes completed both prior to and for the
ongoing updated MRE 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 - Pilot Plant DFS 126 28, 932.75
ZULU - DFS (in progress) 1 169.89
Table 5 - Analytical Pipeline
A summary of the status of DFS drill core analysis is set out below:
Results received to date (excluding QA/QC samples) 5755
# QA/QC samples analysed 711
Sample pulps at SGS Randfontein awaiting analysis 2250
Sample pulps ready to be shipped to SGS 0
Samples being pulped at Antec 500
Ongoing sampling of drill cores at site* 200
*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 50m. 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 option, by 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.
"PEA" Preliminary Economic Study
"Petalite" A white coloured lithium bearing mineral (LiAl(Si4O10)).
"ppm" Parts per million.
"Rb" Rubidium.
"SC6" An important economic concentrate of spodumene, known as spodumene concentrate
6 or SC6, is a high-purity lithium ore with approximately 6 percent lithium
content being produced as a raw material for the subsequent production of
lithium-ion batteries.
"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 UPDTMBRTMTJTMPTRecent 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