REG - Premier African Min - Zulu Assay Results and Pilot Plant Update
30/01/2023 07:00
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RNS Number : 1757O Premier African Minerals Limited 30 January 2023
30 January 2023
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.
· Consistent progress in construction of the Pilot Plant
George Roach, CEO commented, "The assay results reported on today continue to
demonstrate good lithium values over significant widths that are all
supportive of the quality of the mineralised pegmatites we intend to mine in
the first phases of the pilot plant operations.
( )
We are into the home stretch with pilot plant construction and site activity
is frenetic with multiple work streams all targeting the same near-term
completion date. Pre-strip has commenced in the initial pit area to be
developed. Activity in the pilot plant assembly areas is now on a 24/7 basis.
In the absence of any unforeseen issue, I expect that first shipments of SC6
will commence in Q1 as projected.
We still have a significant backlog of assay results and continue to develop a
mining model for the pilot plant that is expected to deliver run of mine
material from pegmatites that are dominated by spodumene. Whilst I am not in a
position to provide direct guidance yet, it should be noted that the design
capacity on the floatation circuit anticipates a mass pull of up to 30% at a
design feed rate of 40 tons per hour of milled material. This represents a
potential 12 ton per hour of spodumene rich concentrate. Until the plant
operates, it is not possible to accurately predict either the feed grade of
spodumene rich material reaching the floatation circuit, nor to predict the
final concentrate grade, or final tonnage production rate. That is the nature
of a pilot plant. I will provide further updates over the coming weeks.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chairman of Suzhou
TA&A, Mr Pei Zenzhue, for visiting Zulu in January 2023 and expressing his
satisfaction with the progress we are making. We look forward to an exciting
year".
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 GT-NP-03, ZDD003, ZDD010,
ZDD013, ZDD015, ZDD016, ZDD019, ZDD023, ZDD027-2, ZDD029, ZDD030, ZDD032,
ZDD037, ZDD038, ZDD039 & ZDD045.
Table 1 -Assay Summary Results
Hole From (m) To (m Width* (m) Li(2)O% Ta(2)O(5) ppm Rb ppm
GT-NP-03 167.12 169.46 2.34 0.81 64 1902
ZDD003 24.38 33.14 8.76 1.64 16 1687
Incl. 29.14 32.14 3.00 2.62 15 1128
ZDD003 40.15 44.87 4.72 1.55 19 2134
ZDD003 51.23 54.15 2.92 1.00 73 2109
Incl. 51.23 52.23 1.00 1.69 84 1787
ZDD010 81.58 84.41 2.83 0.76 30 3015
ZDD010 97.34 99.50 2.16 1.39 30 3165
ZDD010 100.93 104.70 3.77 1.57 25 1611
ZDD010 111.34 117.73 6.39 1.09 35 2459
Incl. 116.30 117.30 1.00 2.00 48 2981
ZDD010 119.68 123.08 3.40 1.58 40 2873
ZDD010 145.71 148.60 2.89 1.56 43 1742
ZDD013 111.86 114.37 2.51 1.46 16 1584
ZDD013 116.88 119.60 2.72 1.21 34 2636
ZDD013 122.62 124.89 2.27 0.80 15 2049
ZDD013 134.18 137.12 2.94 1.00 13 2347
Incl. 135.18 136.18 1.00 1.55 21 2880
ZDD013 139.12 143.70 4.58 1.00 28 2154
Incl. 140.12 141.12 1.00 1.81 21 2452
ZDD015 73.61 79.23 5.62 0.98 42 1903
Incl. 75.61 76.61 1.00 1.66 34 1322
ZDD016 27.73 35.95 8.22 1.37 54 1457
Incl. 28.73 29.73 1.00 2.27 35 1271
Incl. 34.44 35.55 1.11 2.49 29 899
ZDD016 40.80 48.22 7.42 0.91 36 2170
Incl. 41.80 42.80 1.00 1.46 88 1891
Incl. 47.22 48.22 1.00 1.51 14 1673
ZDD016 51.79 58.48 6.69 1.29 53 1817
Incl. 54.82 55.92 1.10 2.22 15 516
ZDD019 34.87 36.87 2.00 0.60 106 2891
ZDD023 67.46 71.03 3.57 1.36 72 1837
ZDD023 113.46 117.46 4.00 1.58 18 1814
ZDD023 120.85 124.60 3.75 0.96 27 1957
ZDD027-2 114.45 124.45 10.00 1.17 115 1413
ZDD028 54.12 60.36 6.24 1.00 58 2069
Incl. 58.00 59.36 1.36 1.59 47 2326
ZDD029 22.58 24.58 2.00 1.05 24 1255
ZDD029 30.04 35.97 5.93 0.89 70 1280
Incl. 34.97 35.97 1.00 1.92 204 364
ZDD030 53.06 59.14 6.08 0.85 30 2687
ZDD032 81.12 84.20 3.08 0.90 95 1626
ZDD037 10.93 13.93 3.00 0.80 155 1448
ZDD037 20.25 32.58 12.33 1.29 64 1313
Incl. 20.60 21.60 1.00 2.25 72 1376
ZDD037 37.67 41.00 3.33 0.99 57 872
Incl. 38.67 39.67 1.00 1.88 59 913
ZDD037 46.68 53.55 6.87 1.09 85 1156
ZDD037 74.94 79.00 4.06 1.01 55 784
ZDD038 68.00 70.00 2.00 1.35 19 848
ZDD038 72.78 79.91 7.13 1.15 80 1029
Incl. 72.78 73.78 1.00 1.95 69 914
Incl. 78.91 79.91 1.00 1.76 28 1144
ZDD039 111.36 114.05 2.69 1.13 58 894
ZDD045 102.26 113.31 11.05 1.26 38 1581
Incl. 102.26 104.26 2.00 2.44 11 771
Incl. 108.26 109.26 1.00 2.92 11 1311
Incl. 112.26 113.31 1.05 1.91 94 730
ZDD045 120.69 143.00 22.31 1.41 37 1234
Incl. 121.69 122.69 1.00 2.27 84 161
Incl. 128.31 129.31 1.00 2.35 14 497
Incl. 134.00 138.00 4.00 2.31 12 684
Incl. 140.00 141.00 1.00 2.38 26 220
ZDD045 145.50 152.53 7.03 1.31 40 1752
*Not True Width but drilled width
**0.50% Li(2)O cut-off applied.
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 2 - Drill Holes Collar Coordinates - This RNS
Dhole UTM 35S* UTM 35S* Elevation (AMSL) Azimuth TN (°) Collar Dip EOH
Easting Northing (°) (m)
GT-NP-03 751313.001 7782952.020 1334.161 16.98 -70 190.44
ZDD003 751390.294 7783152.151 1352.511 129.74 -61.4 135.98
ZDD010 751387.204 7783018.316 1333.003 339.54 -46 163.13
ZDD013 751186.871 7782642.708 1323.252 296.04 -61.2 158.03
ZDD015 751074.773 7782409.552 1319.483 152.44 -59 100.33
ZDD016 751203.413 7782361.006 1312.172 195.34 -45.2 125.00
ZDD019 751308.553 7784270.773 1344.508 134.24 -60.2 125.00
ZDD023 751348.412 7783001.033 1334.493 340.24 -61.2 140.16
ZDD027-2 751179.951 7782561.657 1318.667 161.04 -60.2 140.08
ZDD028 751323.645 7782631.586 1320.917 225.54 -59.7 140.28
ZDD029 751203.084 7782697.615 1328.882 343.14 -59.3 151.55
ZDD030 751084.593 7782623.225 1316.967 114.34 -60 150.00
ZDD032 751182.236 7782229.22 1315.339 281.54 -59.6 160.95
ZDD037 751375.427 7782183.235 1310.078 225.28 -58.8 140.38
ZDD038 751437.480 7782173.457 1311.838 234.08 -59 140.28
ZDD039 751363.787 7781823.057 1307.616 114.78 -59.6 140.68
ZDD045 751356.684 7782209.746 1309.944 251.88 -60.2 271.12
* ARC1950 Datum (10m local datum shift)
Table 3 - Drilling & Trenching Progress
A summary of the number of drill holes completed both prior to and for the
ongoing updated mineral resource estimate as part of the DFS is set out below:
PROGRAMME No of Drill Holes Drill Metres (m) No of Surface Trenches Trenched Metres (m)
RST (1958) 7 903.90
ZULU - Initial Exploration 6 2,312.90
ZULU - PEA 43 5,809.10
ZULU - Pilot Plant DFS 127 29,134.54 7 832.56
ZULU - DFS (in progress) 0 0 6
Table 4 - Analytical Pipeline
A summary of the status of DFS drill core analysis is set out below:
Results received to date (excluding QA/QC samples) 7140
# QA/QC samples analysed 1027
Sample pulps at SGS Randfontein awaiting analysis 1661
Sample pulps ready to be shipped to SGS 0
Samples being pulped at Antec 0
Ongoing sampling of drill cores/trench samples at site* 0
*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.
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
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.
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" 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 for electric vehicles
"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
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