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RNS Number : 1149R Premier African Minerals Limited 27 February 2023
27 February 2023
Premier African Minerals Limited
Zulu Assay Results
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.
George Roach, CEO commented, "We continue to see good intersections within the
main spodumene rich pegmatite that are both encouraging for the long term and
supportive of our decision to commence operations with the large-scale pilot
plant as we have done."
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 ZDD021, ZDD047, ZDD048,
MDI-GT-01A, MDI-GT-02, ZDD151, & ZDD154 .
Table 1 -Assay Summary Results
Hole From (m) To (m Width* (m) Li(2)O% Ta(2)O(5) ppm Rb ppm
ZDD021 34.90 37.02 2.12 0.64 43 1181
ZDD021 42.26 46.38 4.12 0.79 14 1619
ZDD047 84.24 89.24 5.00 1.49 79 900
ZDD047 106.08 110.08 4.00 1.52 40 592
ZDD047 118.23 127.00 8.77 1.00 73 1142
Incl. 123.00 126.00 3.00 1.66 80 1252
ZDD048 38.40 40.40 2.00 0.80 126 450
ZDD048 47.06 56.18 9.12 0.86 68 1367
Incl. 49.00 50.00 1.00 2.68 96 435
ZDD048 119.36 122.36 3.00 1.08 75 750
ZDD048 133.36 149.36 16.00 0.82 43 1134
Incl. 133.36 134.36 1.00 1.67 7 937
Incl. 136.36 137.36 1.00 2.23 40 656
MDI-GT-01A 19.94 28.94 9.00 1.41 35 1474
Incl. 19.94 20.94 1.00 2.23 26 316
Incl. 21.94 22.94 1.00 2.20 16 846
Incl. 23.94 24.94 1.00 3.05 35 1022
MDI-GT-01A 44.68 46.96 2.28 0.53 32 1750
MDI-GT-01A 53.59 55.59 2.00 0.75 33 4254
MDI-GT-02 18.86 22.86 4.00 1.00 52 1318
Incl. 19.86 21.86 2 2.14 45 1351
MDI-GT-02 30.62 33.62 3.00 1.70 30 2135
Incl. 31.62 32.62 1.00 2.88 8 1786
MDI-GT-02 37.63 40.62 2.99 0.98 40 1872
MDI-GT-02 46.51 62.93 16.42 1.43 33 1999
Incl. 46.93 47.93 1.00 2.20 32 2177
Incl. 51.93 55.93 4.00 2.53 38 1517
MDI-GT-02 84.44 86.44 2.00 0.73 81 2196
MDI-GT-02 97.26 102.17 4.91 1.50 43 2660
ZDD151 184.26 216.77 32.51 1.56 129 1666
Incl. 189.26 190.26 1.00 2.56 156 812
Incl. 196.26 197.26 1.00 2.88 103 1513
Incl. 209.54 210.54 1.00 2.57 154 1130
ZDD151 267.55 283.86 16.31 1.49 95 1851
Incl. 275.55 277.55 2 2.93 67 961
ZDD154 110.30 112.45 2.15 1.18 79 482
*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)
ZDD021 751438.462 7783147.247 1339.594 341.44 -60.4 120.48
ZDD047 751352.710 7782103.348 1309.051 26.38 -59.2 160.23
ZDD048 751356.133 7782103.526 1309.026 277.58 -60 160.28
MDI-GT-01A 751464.291 7783279.273 1355.150 200.27 -70.23 150.00
MDI-GT-02 751366.102 7783111.157 1350.944 187.99 -69.84 202.93
ZDD151 750809.107 7782183.866 1326.535 112.8 -49.53 308.54
ZDD154 751077.739 7782108.867 1320.744 291.6 -53.56 291.6
* 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 *
* Heavy rains have delayed completion of the trenching programme
** Resource in-fill drilling scheduled to recommence in March
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) 7,853
# QA/QC samples analysed 1,113
Sample pulps at SGS Randfontein awaiting analysis 862
Sample pulps ready to be shipped to SGS 0
Samples being pulped at Antec 392
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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