Aim-listed Premier African Minerals has extended the optimisation at its RHA tungsten project, in Mozambique, as the original 6 mm screen did not pass material in excess of 4 mm on average, necessitating the replacement of the panels with larger 10 mm panels.

These are expected to be installed before the end of August.

Ore from underground operations fed through the plant has returned a head grade greater than 4 kg/t and a recovery of up to 70% of the contained metal.

The company is targeting an 8 000 t/m throughput at a grade of 6 kg/t and the recovery of 80% of contained wolframite.

The completion of a new resource statement for RHA is also nearing completion, after which final decisions will be made regarding the re-establishment of openpit operations and the further development of the X-ray transmission upgrade.

Meanwhile, surface exploration at the company’s Zulu lithium and tantalum project, also in Mozambique, has brought the project to a drill ready state.

Final site preparations and negotiations with a drilling contractor are under way.

Premier, on August 19, entered into a subscription agreement for 140 loan notes valued at about £3.5-million.

Proceeds will be used for general working capital purposes and to support the exploration and development activities at the Zulu project.

“This loan instrument removes any short-term funding issues the company may have faced, as RHA is fully optimised, and ensures the rapid development of the exploration activities at the Zulu exploration tenements.

“In that regard, drilling is expected to start in September and with in-house resource management and laboratory facilities at RHA, we expect a rapid and efficient turnaround from these exploration activities,” CEO George Roach said.

Source: Mining Weekly