Premier African Minerals Limited (LON:PREM) has welcomed continued positive drill findings at its Zulu lithium project in Zimbabwe.
Two diamond holes, of a planned 20 hole programme, are now complete with significant visible mineralisation intersected in both.
The work is aimed at testing strike and depth extensions and generating a maiden resource.
One hole hit 14 meters from 11 meters to 46 meters depth, while the other hit 26 meters from 18 meters to 58 meters.
Chief executive George Roach told investors: "It is very encouraging that we continue to intersect visible hard rock lithium mineralisation from near surface to depth as predicted in our geological model.
"The extent and hardness of the mineralisation has contributed to a slower drilling rate than originally anticipated and a second rig has been deployed and commences operation today to expedite this drilling program.
"Sample preparation is progressing at our in-house facilities at RHA and granting of export permits for shipment of samples is underway. We will report assay results as they come to hand."
In September, Premier revealed that serial small cap firm promoter and lithium expert David Lenigas had got aboard the project.
The entrepreneur was hired to carry out an independent review of the project, looking at potential strategic investors or joint ventures as well as financing.
Broker SP Angel said: "As we observed on an earlier announcement on the drilling at the Zulu project, these are very early stage results in the overall programme and the scale and grade of any potential commercial lithium occurrence will become clearer when the drilling programme is more advanced and assay results become available."
Shares gained 1.55% to 0.381p.