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Premier’s Zulu lithium project shows a lot of promise

Published

4 years ago

August 17, 2021

BY SIMONE LIEDTKE

Diversified miner Premier African Minerals’ scoping study for its Zulu lithium project, in Zimbabwe, has found a significant increase in spodumene concentrate prices, which is set to benefit the miner as concentrate selling processes are projected to continue improving.

Premier has already embarked on a definitive feasibility study at Zulu, with drilling well under way and two rigs operating at present.

Preliminary work continues to support the findings set out in the scoping study, with CEO George Roach confirming on August 16 that specific examples include an overall reduction in certain specific costs in Matabeleland, most notably in respect of labour and the confirmation of the projected logistics costs on a free-on-board Beira basis.

“It is interesting to note the significant increase in Zulu’s net present value with improved and projected spodumene concentrate pricing compared with Premier’s present market capitalisation,” Roach commented.

The scoping study, initiated in 2017, identified a target production of 84 000 t/y of spodumene concentrate and 32 500 t/y of petalite concentrate for an initial 15-year life-of-mine to be the most appropriate option and was based on prices of $800/t of spodumene and $400/t of petalite concentrate.

The updated scoping study models three scenarios for different spodumene concentrate sales prices to illustrate the impact of the recent significant increase in prices of spodumene and petalite.

In addition, Bara Consulting, which compiled the scoping study, escalated the capital and operating costs by US inflation for a period of four years (at a rate of two percent a year) as costs are reported in dollars.

No further changes have been made to the underlying economic, technical, engineering or processing assumptions used in the scoping study, nor resources nor the mine plan.

Overall, the improvement in spodumene pricing and, therefore, the revenue factors, have a significant positive improvement in the economic results despite the escalated capital and operating costs, Premier said. – Mining Weekly

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Zimparks launches elephant culling program

Published

1 month ago

June 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In a bid to address the growing elephant population in Save Valley Conservancy, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has issued permits for a controlled elephant management exercise.

The exercise, slated to commence shortly, aims to cull an initial 50 elephants from the conservancy, which is currently home to 2,550 elephants – more than three times the ecological carrying capacity of 800 elephants.

According to ZimParks, the conservancy has been struggling to cope with the swelling elephant population, which has put a strain on the wildlife habitat and resources. Over the past five years, the conservancy has translocated 200 elephants to other areas, including Hurungwe and Sapi, in an effort to manage the population.

Zimparks says the controlled culling exercise is expected to provide relief to the conservancy’s ecosystem, while also benefiting local communities.

Elephant meat from the exercise will be distributed to local communities while the ivory will be kept by the State.

In a statement, ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo emphasized the authority’s commitment to responsible and sustainable wildlife management.

“We remain committed to ensuring that our wildlife resources are managed in a responsible and sustainable manner, for the benefit of present and future generations.”

In the community

Hwange police seek public’s help in locating missing teen

Published

2 months ago

May 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Hwange police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Latoya Lisa Munkuli, who went missing on May 7, this month.

Latoya, a dark-complexioned female juvenile, was last seen leaving her residence in Hwange around 4 pm.

She was wearing a distinctive outfit consisting of green trousers and a white T-shirt, and carried a black satchel. She stands approximately 1.6 meters tall.

Inspector Glory Banda of the Hwange police is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information about Latoya’s whereabouts to come forward.

If you have any information about Latoya’s disappearance, please contact Inspector Banda on 0785961747 or 0771256607.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

3 months ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.