Premier African Minerals Ltd (AIM:PREM) told investors it expects the first Spodumene (SC6) shipments from the Zulu lithium and tantalum project, in Zimbabwe, to take place in June.
Based on current concentrate prices and production, should it continue to the end of August, the company expects that Zulu will be operating profitably.
The company, in a statement, meanwhile noted that it anticipated that final optimisation of the operation in the fourth quarter, following plant modifications.
It is predicted by the company to see a 25% increase in production.
At the same time, mining operations continue to confirm the company’s resource model.
"The process plant is fully commissioned and capable of producing concentrate,” said chief executive George Roach.
“The plant supplier has advised that the milling and sizing component of the plant requires certain limited modifications to allow for full optimisation to design capacity throughput.”
Roach noted that following the revised operation it is now forecast that production for June will amount to 1,376 tons, whilst July and August will be 1,137 tons per month, increasing to 2,359 tons in September, 3,577 tons in October 2023 and 4,471 tons from 1 December 2023.