Company Announcements

Zulu Assay Results Update

Source: RNS
RNS Number : 9291Q
Premier African Minerals Limited
01 July 2022
 

1 July 2022

Premier African Minerals Limited

 

Zulu Assay Results 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").

Highlights:

·    Multiple wide high-grade zones intersected

·    Early QXRD data confirms Spodumene as dominant Lithium mineral

George Roach, CEO commented, "The detailed results set out below are impressive. Similarly, the early QXRD work confirms our view that the Zulu deposit is predominately spodumene. Notable is the pervasive Tantalum and Rubidium presence. The results reported on are from boreholes within the existing resource area and are part of the ongoing programme that is intended to upgrade confidence in the original resource estimate from an inferred level to an indicated level. At the same time, we have reviewed all the previous work done prior to January 2022, adjusted the geological model as indicated and we are in the process of revalidating many of the previously obtained assay results. The work to date has provided the level of confidence we needed internally to support the pilot plant concept as recently announced. In fact, what we are now understanding about the Zulu deposit is entirely complementary to the use of sensor-based ore sorting and in time is likely to result in a most efficient and effective process.

It is worth noting that these results below are likely indicative of more than 2,000 outstanding assays now starting to come through. To date since the commencement of the DFS programme, we have completed 82 holes and 18,466 m. Much of the recent drilling has been at close-spaced centres of approximately 50 m and it is this intensity that supports our confidence in this section of the resource. It should be noted that these results are all confined within the original claims area. The deposit remains open on strike in both directions and at depth. The initial QXRD results have highlighted the value of this work providing a better description of the pegmatites and will contribute to future grade control in the pilot plant phase of the Zulu development".

Drill Holes: Lithium & Tantalum Results

The table below sets out the independent external laboratory analyses for holes ZDD063, ZDD067, ZDD068, ZDD070, ZDD072, ZDD076, ZDD077, ZDD078 and ZDD079.

Table 1 - Assay Summary Results

Hole

From (m)

To (m)

Width* (m)

Li2O%**

Ta2O5 ppm

Rb ppm

ZDD063

54.60

61.56

6.96

 

1.01

42

2349

Incl.

57.60

 

58.60

 

1

1.97

24

439

 

ZDD067

 

86.57

 

93.47

 

6.90

 

1.83

 

152

 

1510

 

Incl.

88.00

 

93.00

 

5.00

2.40

 

49

 

1198

 

ZDD067

 

101.02

 

114.86

 

13.84

 

0.76

 

76

 

1247

 

Incl.

104.83

 

106.67

 

1.84

 

1.57

 

108

 

2175

 

ZDD068

 

105.36

 

107.57

 

2.21

 

0.82

 

149

 

3063

 

ZDD068

 

123.47

 

130.95

 

7.48

 

0.83

 

88

 

1649

 

Incl.

123.47

 

125.47

 

2.00

1.24

 

67

 

1476

 

ZDD068

 

153.29

 

155.29

 

2.00

 

1.30

 

152

 

940

 

ZDD070

 

77.93

 

87.45

 

9.52

 

1.54

 

60

 

5294

 

Incl.

79.93

 

85.93

 

6.00

 

1.79

 

48

 

5460

 

ZDD070

 

102.95

 

106.93

 

3.98

 

1.23

 

104

 

1462

 

Incl.

105.23

 

106.23

 

1.00

2.08

 

61

 

1043

 

ZDD070

 

117.15

 

122.20

 

2.42

 

1.32

 

91

 

3822

 

Incl.

117.15

 

118.15

 

1.00

1.81

 

52

 

2223

 

ZDD072

 

137.20

 

139.38

 

2.18

 

1.32

 

120

 

1195

 

ZDD072

 

142.43

 

146.77

 

4.00

 

1.75

 

101

 

2549

 

Incl.

144.43

 

143.43

 

1.00

2.03

 

61.1721

 

1172

 

ZDD076

 

87.80

 

105.42

 

17.62

 

1.39

 

30

 

2818

 

Incl.

87.8

 

91.8

 

4.00

 

1.86

 

32

 

3112

 

Incl.

94.94

 

96.7

 

1.76

1.51

 

21

 

1829

 

Incl.

99.47

 

102.47

 

3.00

2.15

 

20

 

2582

 

Incl.

103.47

 

104.47

 

1.00

 

1.73

 

31

 

2331

 

ZDD076

 

113.18

 

130.24

 

17.06

 

1.27

 

21

 

2439

 

Incl.

113.18

 

114.18

 

1.00

1.54

 

37

 

3138

 

Incl.

114.96

 

116.96

 

2.00

2.02

 

27

 

1973

 

Incl.

121.96

 

122.96

 

1.00

1.62

 

16

 

2540

 

Incl.

124.96

 

129.96

 

5.00

1.91

 

14

 

2126

 

ZDD076

 

132.80

 

137.56

 

4.76

 

1.43

 

42

 

2318

 

Incl.

133.8

 

136.3

 

2.50

 

1.94

 

21

 

2397

 

ZDD077

 

92.10

 

98.90

 

6.80

 

1.15

 

25

 

***

 

Incl.

96.50

 

98.90

 

2.40

 

2.16

 

16

 

***

 

ZDD078

 

47.26

 

66.92

 

19.66

 

1.68

 

59

 

4764

 

Incl.

55.26

 

62.26

 

8.00

 

2.04

 

50

 

4853

 

ZDD079

 

89.19

 

97.84

 

8.65

 

1.19

 

50

 

4371

 

Incl.

90.19

 

95.19

 

5.00

 

1.54

 

52

 

4316

 

 

*Not True Width but lineal width

**0.50% Li2O cut-off applied.

***Check analyses of Rb awaited.

The following compositing routine was applied:

·    0.50% Li2O cut-off was applied to the pegmatitic intersections.

·    <2m standalone composites at the cut-off grade but with an overall weighted average grade of >0.5% Li2O are not reported however.

·    Within any composite >2m thickness, high-grade intersections of 1m are reported; 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.

 

With the application of the above compositing routine, it has become evident that many of the thicker pegmatites are zoned from a lithium perspective, often with a high-grade core and weaker mineralised rims. It is further noted that the weaker mineralised rims are often carrying the higher grades of both tantalum and rubidium where the rubidium is associated with the occurrence of lepidolites.

In cases where pegmatites are <2m thick or grades are below the cut-off, the tantalum and rubidium values are still present and remain of value and significant to the overall Resource.

QXRD Test Work - Table 2

A 35-sample test QXRD programme has demonstrated from a range of different pegmatite samples, the value of this analytical technique in quantifying the percentages of the lithium bearing minerals within any pegmatite sample and its value to core logging of complete pegmatite intersections, verification of analytical results. The results have confirmed that a systematic programme of QXRD analysis will be valuable in both the upcoming Resource Estimate, grade control in the future test pit and pilot test plant.

From the test programme, in samples with Li2O >1%, the ratio of the spodumene: petalite: lepidolite is 56:13:31. It is anticipated that a broader, more systematic programme of QXRD analysis will confirm these ratios.


Percentages of Mineral Assemblage


Hole ID

From (m)

To (m)

Spodu-mene

Petalite

Lepid-olite

Quartz

Plagioclase

Micro-cline

Clays

Chlo-rite

Li2O%

Ta2O5 ppm

Rb_ppm

GT-NP-03

112.3

112.4

47.6

0

0.9

44.1

3.5

0.7

3.3

0

5.68

29

129

GT-NP-03

112.8

112.9

0

0

16.9

72.7

8.4

0.7

0

1.3

0.20

14

723

GT-NP-03

127.9

127.9

7.8

0.4

2

24.4

17.9

47.5

0

0

1.72

108

2650

GT-NP-03

138.9

139.0

0

1.5

7.9

47

42

1.6

0

0

0.50

38

2098

GT-NP-03

139.5

139.5

6

30.8

17.7

38.7

5.3

1.5

0

0

3.32

14

2388

GT-NP-03

146.3

146.4

1.1

0.2

27.3

35.1

36

0.4

0

0

2.45

43

5589

GT-NP-03

166.3

166.4

0

1.1

9.5

36

52.7

0.6

0

0

0.67

40

1908

GT-NP-03

167.1

167.2

0

0

30.1

57.5

10.1

0.9

0

1.3

0.81

14

2009

GT-NP-03

172.6

172.6

23

3.9

8.9

45.7

18

0.5

0

0

3.33

24

1935















GT-SP-01

69.7

69.7

19.3

0.7

2.5

44.9

31.3

1.1

0

0.2

1.19

99

597

GT-SP-01

74.7

74.8

7.3

18.7

6.8

32.3

30.5

1.2

3.2

0

0.89

165

729

GT-SP-01

76.6

76.6

0.6

1.1

27.2

49.3

20.9

0.8

0

0

0.40

11

1448















GT-SP-02

134.9

134.9

35.7

0.1

1.8

47.4

14.4

0.5

0

0

3.76

18

1029

GT-SP-02

136.0

136.1

8.9

0.3

5.2

57.7

27.4

0.6

0

0

1.16

32

1130

GT-SP-02

146.4

146.4

39.2

0.1

2.5

47

10.5

0.6

0

0

3.72

38

994

GT-SP-02

152.2

152.2

4.1

0.4

9.5

44.8

39.5

1.6

0

0

0.40

106

1490















GT-SP-03

82.3

82.3

0.8

11.2

0.6

6.2

12.8

68.4

0

0

1.16

22

3371

GT-SP-03

87.5

87.6

55.4

0.3

1.8

30.5

11.4

0.2

0

0.3

3.15

47

969

GT-SP-03

85.5

85.5

10.7

39.1

6.1

25.1

17.8

1.2

0

0

2.96

60

1384

GT-SP-03

103.9

104.0

19.9

1.1

6.7

33.2

38.6

0.5

0

0

1.84

49

486

GT-SP-03

103.4

103.5

35.8

0.1

0.6

38.7

24.5

0.3

0

0

2.60

35

464















GT-SP-04

51.2

51.3

0

0.7

15.1

0.8

0.8

0.9

0

81.6

0.83

233

2973

GT-SP-04

55.4

55.4

0

0.4

0.8

16.4

81.6

0.7

0

0

0.10

96

1353

GT-SP-04

52.7

52.8

0

0.8

0.8

7.2

90.6

0.6

0

0

0.22

292

392

GT-SP-04

58.7

58.8

0.3

0.5

27.3

63.3

7.5

1.1

0

0

0.08

154

3727

GT-SP-04

67.4

67.4

0

0

2.4

69.8

25.4

0.7

0

1.7

0.09

45

639

GT-SP-04

73.3

73.3

30.8

0.4

1.4

42.4

23.8

1.1

0

0

2.87

106

254

GT-SP-04

76.6

76.7

37.2

0.5

1.7

34

25.5

1.1

0

0.1

2.28

11

505

GT-SP-04

80.8

80.9

0

0.4

0.8

32

65.9

0.8

0

0

0.04

112

778

GT-SP-04

82.6

82.7

0.2

0.5

32.2

61.4

5

0.7

0

0

1.71

164

9655

GT-SP-04

82.4

82.4

0.2

0.8

32.4

56.4

9.3

0.8

0

0

1.39

126

9642

GT-SP-04

87.2

87.2

0

0.8

1.7

33.2

63.5

0.8

0

0

0.22

26

1627

GT-SP-04

86.5

86.6

0

1.6

17

31.9

20.3

29.2

0

0

0.16

42

2390

GT-SP-04

88.4

88.5

0

1.1

11.4

38.7

22.7

26.1

0

0

0.07

136

1945

GT-SP-04

89.0

89.0

0

0

80.5

12.2

5.1

0.9

0

1.4

1.13

265

>10000

 

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 10th 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.

All samples are crushed and pulverised to 75 microns with 85% of the pulverised sample passing -75microns. Samples are analysed at the SGS Laboratory Services in Randfontein, South Africa as 30-element scans following a sodium peroxide fusion and ICP-OES and ICP-MS analytical finish. (SGS code ICM90A).

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.

About the Geology at Zulu

The area, located in the Fort Rixon Greenstone Belt, is underlain by Archaean-aged meta-volcanics and meta-sedimentary sequences of the Bulawayan System, with serpentinites and banded iron formations at the base in the east and metamorphosed volcanics and sediments 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 up to chlorite facies.

 

The Zulu Pegmatite is a LCT (Lithium-Caesium-Tantalum) pegmatite swarm which intrudes along the contacts between serpentine and meta-sedimentary rocks over a strike length of several kilometres. Outcrop widths vary between 10 and 25 m. The pegmatite bodies strike N20° and dip with 70° to 90° to the west.

 

The area was first pegged in 1955 by J.S. Willemse and intensely explored, under an option, with mapping, trenching and drilling by Rhodesian Selection Trust Co. Ltd. ("RST") in 1958. In 1961 and 1962 a small quantity of petalite was mined by W. Burchett in partnership with J.S. Willemse. Premier later acquired the claims the Zulu in 2013.

 

The thickest pegmatite, north and south of the Machakwe river, is rich in spodumene, petalite and lepidolite while the thinner footwall pegmatites tend to be lower in Li-grade but carry good tantalum and rubidium grades.

 

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.

 

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

(Nominated Adviser)

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 3396

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.

"chlorite facies"

Also known as Greenschist Facies, the rocks have a schistose texture and green colour with 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.

"Lepidolite"

A pink to lavender coloured lithium bearing mineral (KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2).

"Li to Li2O"

x 2.152.

 

"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.

"Petalite"

A white coloured lithium bearing mineral (LiAl(Si4O10)).

"PP"

Petalite pegmatite.

"ppm"

parts per million.

"Rb"

Rubidium.

"serpentinite"

A dark, typically greenish metamorphic rock, consisting of serpentine or related minerals, formed when mafic igneous rocks are altered.

"SPLP"

Spodumene petalite lepidolite pegmatite.

"Spodumene"

A white to pink coloured lithium bearing mineral (LiAlSi2O6).

"SPP"

Spodumene petalite pegmatite.

"Ta to Ta2O5"

x 1.221.

"Ta"

Tantalum.

"QXRD"

Quantitative X-Ray Diffraction.

 

LITHIUM CLASSIFICATION AND CONVERSION FACTORS

Lithium grades are normally presented in percentages or parts per million (ppm). Grades of deposits are also expressed as lithium compounds in percentages, for example as a percent lithium oxide (Li2O) 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 Li2O

Lithium

Li

1.000

2.153

Lithium Oxide

Li2

0.464

1.000

 
Ends

 

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