Zulu Assay Results and Pilot Plant Update

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)	Li2O%	Ta2O5 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% Li₂O 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)	Li2O%	Ta2O5 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% Li2O 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% Li2O 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% Li2O.

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* Easting	UTM 35S* Northing	Elevation (AMSL)	Azimuth TN ( ° )	Collar Dip ( ° )	EOH (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 a ccepted 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: [phone]
Michael Cornish / Roland Cornish		Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nominated Adviser)	Tel: [phone]
John More/Toby Gibbs		Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited	Tel: [phone]
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)3Al2Si8O22(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 (KLi 2 Al(Si 4 O 10 )(F,OH) 2 ).
"Li to Li2O"	x 2.153.
"Li"	Lithium.
"Li2O"	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(Si 4 O 10 )).
"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 (LiAlSi 2 O 6 ).
"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

 
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