Premier restarts Zimbabwe’s Zulu lithium plant after flotation upgrades to boost concentrate recovery, beginning commissioning and process optimization phase.
Premier African Minerals, an AIM-listed company, has announced a significant milestone in the progress of its Zulu lithium and tantalum project in Zimbabwe. The company confirmed the successful completion of the installation of spodumene flotation section inserts and the subsequent restart of the processing plant as of July 6.
This development marks an important step forward in the company’s efforts to enhance the performance of its flotation plant. The newly installed inserts are designed to reduce the retention time of concentrates within the cleaner section of the original flotation system. By shortening this retention period, Premier aims to significantly improve both the grade and the recovery rate of lithium concentrates, thereby increasing the overall efficiency and output of the plant.
In a statement, Premier CEO George Roach acknowledged the collaborative efforts that enabled this restart. “We are deeply grateful for the exceptional support received from all original equipment manufacturers involved in the plant—ranging from the milling units to the final flotation sections,” Roach stated. “Their assistance has been critical in allowing us to bring the plant back online.”
Following the installation, the plant was restarted with a limited feed input. This phased reactivation allowed Premier's team to thoroughly check and validate the operation of each plant component, ensuring that all processes were functioning as expected. The tests progressed through the integrated processing system, reaching the newly installed spodumene cleaner cell inserts. These inserts are scheduled to be fully activated once the required sealants have adequately cured.
Roach further commented on the next steps, explaining that, if all goes according to plan, the plant will begin receiving ore from the run-of-mine (ROM) pad starting today. This will signal the beginning of full commissioning and optimization activities for the primary spodumene flotation unit.
The Zulu lithium and tantalum project is considered a strategic operation for Premier African Minerals. The ability to consistently produce high-quality spodumene concentrate is vital to meeting rising global demand for lithium, a critical element in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.
The restart of operations, following this key installation, represents a promising step in the Zulu project’s development trajectory. With commissioning and optimization now underway, Premier remains optimistic about achieving targeted production levels and delivering consistent output from the plant in the near future.
