https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Premier progresses Zulu plant optimisation

lithium powder on hand

Photo by Bloomberg

8th August 2025

By: Marleny Arnoldi

Online News Editor

     

Font size: - +

London-listed Premier African Minerals says the commissioning of a second phase of the Zimbabwe-based Zulu lithium and tantalum project’s processing plant is progressing on schedule, including optimisations that are having promising results in terms of concentrate recovery.

The company expects to make a final decision on how soon, if at all, it will buy a secondary spodumene float section, after installing initial spodumene float section inserts in July.

The inserts have demonstrated the reduction of retention time of concentrates in the cleaner section of the original float plant.

Premier’s priority is to achieve a commercially saleable grade and then optimise for recovery.

Premier is also solving for two remaining plant issues requiring longer-term solutions, including replacement of sorters that are not fit for purpose and completion of a tantalum recovery circuit.

The company says several parties have indicated interest to buy tantalum and potentially assist with the cost of the circuit.

CEO George Roach says he is pleased with progress having been made on the plant and remains confident as ever in the final successful conclusion of this phase of the project despite having experienced frustration getting the processing plant into a constant running state.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Online Managing Editor

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

Sika South Africa
Sika South Africa

Sika South Africa is a trusted partner for the nation’s infrastructure, commercial, residential, and industrial sectors.

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD
Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD

For over 30 years, Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD has been designing, manufacturing, supplying and maintaining specialist...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.058 0.866s - 140pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now