Premier African Minerals Ltd (AIM:PREM, OTC:PRMMF) said its flotation plant supplier Enprotec has told it that no major fundamental changes are necessary to get the equipment running optimally.
Enprotec has been running a series of laboratory tests to optimise the core processes of the plant, including reagent dosing amounts and points, agitation speeds, flow rates between components, slurry densities, cell residence times, and alternative water sources introduced into the flotation section.
All laboratory test work should be completed by the end of this week, at which point the lead time for restarting operations will be determined.
At the same time, Premier said it had looked at the operating costs at Zulu and the potential impact of an enlarged float plant in due course and estimate it would result in mine gate production cost for spodumene concentrate at around US$500 per ton.
George Roach, chief executive, commented: “Premier will run the plant when the laboratory work has been completed and when we have resolved the optimisation issues that have prevented proper production to date.
“While this has reduced current expenditure, the company will still need further funding and in particular to recommence production later this month."