Premier African Minerals Limited Zulu Maiden Lithium and Tantalum Inferred Resource (2046H)

TIDMPREM

RNS Number : 2046H

Premier African Minerals Limited

06 June 2017

Premier African Minerals Limited / Ticker: PREM / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining

For immediate release

06 June 2017

Premier African Minerals Limited

("Premier" or the "Company")

Zulu Maiden Lithium and Tantalum Inferred Resource

526,000 tonnes of LCE contained in 20.1 million tonnes @ 1.06 % Li(2) O

Premier African Minerals Limited, the AIM-traded, multi-commodity resource and development Company focused on Southern and Western Africa, is pleased to report its maiden SAMREC compliant Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") on its wholly-owned Zulu Lithium and Tantalum project ("Zulu") in Zimbabwe, a country with a long-established history of lithium production.

Highlights:

-- Maiden SAMREC Compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 20.1 million tonnes @ 1.06 % Li(2) O and 51 ppm Ta(2) O(5) using a cut-off grade of 0.5% Li(2) O.

-- Containing 526,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") and 1,025 tonnes of Tantalum Pentoxide.

-- Maiden Resource Estimate covers only 35% of Zulu's known 3.5km surface strike length and drilling continues to upgrade and expand this Mineral Resource Estimate.

   --     Deposit remains open at depth and along strike. 
   --     Exploration target has the potential to increase the maiden Mineral Resource Estimate. 
   --     Metallurgical test work underway. 

George Roach, Chairman and CEO commented: "We are extremely pleased with this initial maiden resource estimate, which reinforces our belief that Zulu is a very significant new lithium deposit with all the hallmarks of a world-class lithium project. The maiden inferred mineral resource estimate is based on our initial 2,511m exploration drilling programme which was focussed on only 1,200m of the southern part of the known 3.5km strike length of the project. The drilling programme confirms that the deposit remains open at depth and on strike.

"We commenced an extended drilling programme focussed on infill drilling in the southern part of the deposit as well as step out drilling of various areas along the 3.5km known strike length, which we believe to host further substantial lithium mineralisation. To date, the results have been very good and we are looking forward to delivering further additions to our resource inventory in the coming months and laying the foundations for a substantial, long-life strategic metal business."

Mineral Resource Estimate:

The Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") is based on assay results of 20 diamond drill holes totalling 2,511 metres drilled between September 2016 and February 2017, as well as the results of 3 deeper diamond drill holes drilled in 2011. The Mineral Resource Estimate was carried out by Mr. Gerard Evans, Resource Geologist with the Company, using Datamine resource modelling software.

The geological model is based on the drill hole data and surface observations. A process called Dynamic Anisotropy was utilised so that integrity of the varying strike and dip of the ore body was maintained. The resulting resource model is currently classified as inferred in the model at this stage due to the erratic nature of the ore and spatial distribution of the drill holes. Further drilling, currently underway, is designed to increase the confidence in the resource to the indicated category and expand the inferred mineralisation envelope.

The maiden Mineral Resource Estimate set out in Table 1 below is prepared in accordance with SAMREC and in compliance with Appendix 3 of the AIM Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies - June 2009.

Table 1: Summary of Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project's Mineral Resource Estimate using a cut-off of 0.5% Li 0):

 
 Category                   Gross                         Net attributable           Operator 
------------  ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------  --------- 
                 Tonnes      Grade   Contained      Tonnes      Grade   Contained 
                (millions)    Li 0      Li 0       (millions)    Li 0      Li 0 
                               %      in tonnes                   %      in tonnes 
------------  ------------  ------  -----------  ------------  ------  -----------  --------- 
 
 Mineral 
  Resources 
------------  ------------  ------  -----------  ------------  ------  -----------  --------- 
 Measured           -          -         -             -          -         - 
------------  ------------  ------  -----------  ------------  ------  -----------  --------- 
 Indicated          -          -         -             -          -         - 
------------  ------------  ------  -----------  ------------  ------  -----------  --------- 
 Inferred      20,112,736    1.06     213,195     20,112,736    1.06     213,195     Premier 
------------  ------------  ------  -----------  ------------  ------  -----------  --------- 
 
 Total         20,112,736    1.06     213,195     20,112,736    1.06     213,195      Premier 
------------  ------------  ------  -----------  ------------  ------  -----------  --------- 
 
 

Notes:

   1.   Premier is the operator of the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project ("Zulu"). 
   2.   Premier currently holds 100 per cent. interest in Zulu. 
   3.   Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves have no demonstrated economic viability. 
   4.   The effective date of the Mineral Resource is 01 June 2017. 

5. Mineral Resources for Zulu have been calculated using a cut-off of 0.5% Li 0 and classified according to SAMREC.

6. The Mineral Resource Estimate is based on information compiled by the Company and reviewed by Mr Wolfgang Hampel (as described further below).

Table 2: Mineral Resources at Different Cut-off Grades:

 
 Tonnes       Li(2) O   Ta(2) O(5)   Contained   Cut-off 
                 %          ppm        tonnes     grade % 
                                      Li(2) O 
-----------  --------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 63,338,990    0.43         54        272,357       0 
-----------  --------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 28,273,286    0.85         49        240,322      0.25 
-----------  --------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 20,112,736    1.06         51        213,195      0.5 
-----------  --------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 7,159,048     1.50         42        107,385      1.1 
-----------  --------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 

Exploration Target:

The deposit has not been closed off by drilling and mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth. Additionally, it is possible that more mineralised pegmatites will be discovered in the area east of the southern pegmatites. This region is covered by a thick soil layer, however, during the harvest in May 2017 a new massive petalite pegmatite was discovered which will be the subject of additional drilling later this year.

In the north, outcrops are scarce and the pegmatites cannot be followed in a way that would justify immediate additional drilling. The area presumed to be underlain by more pegmatites will first be covered by a Mobile Metal Ion ("MMI") geochemical survey before new drill targets may be delineated.

In the coming months, diamond drilling will continue to be carried out in the southern zone where the outcropping mineralisation and trenching from the 1950s justify further drilling. To improve our level of confidence and to establish a continuity of the mineralisation along strike it will require a further 8,000 to 10,000 metres of drilling. Deep drilling is not planned at this stage, as the initial target is an open pit mining operation. Earlier, relatively deep, inclined drilling to depths of up to 524 metres confirmed the presence of spodumene bearing pegmatites down to vertical depths of more than 200 metres.

Due to the current Mineral Resource Estimate being in excess of 20 million tonnes based on diamond drilling conducted to date, Premier believes the exploration target for Zulu to be between 60-80 million tonnes. An exploration target is conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource Estimate in compliance with SAMREC and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource as defined by SAMREC.

In addition, the Company is in the process of delineating more prospective ground for lithium bearing pegmatites.

About Zulu:

The Zulu Lithium Project comprises 14 mineral claims covering a surface area of 3.5 km(2) which are prospective for tantalum and lithium mineralisation. The project is located 80 km as the crow flies east of Bulawayo. Fort Rixon is some 15 km further to the west of the project; the nearest village is Pioneer village ndeg2, some 1 km to the south.

Geological Setting:

The area is underlain by Archaean schists of the Bulawayan System, with serpentinites and banded iron formations at the base in the east and metamorphosed volcanics and sediments as one moves to the west. The schist belt is tear drop shaped measuring 30 km long and 19 km wide near the broad section at the top. Metamorphism is up to chlorite facies. In the east of the concession epidosites, calc-silicate rocks and gneissic granites prevail. The most northern part of the concession is underlain by a post-Bulawayan massive granite.

In the south, the lithium bearing pegmatites concentrate within an up to 120 metre wide zone between mafic and felsic lithologies. Further to the north, the pegmatites occur mainly in mafic sequences. In the very north of the concession, the pegmatites occur also in granites.

The true widths of the individual pegmatite veins vary from a few centimetres to approximately 5 metres. They commonly occur in groups of several veins; some of the host rocks between the individual pegmatites have undergone intense lithium metasomatism resulting in the formation of a lithium bearing amphibole called holmquistite. Some of the bigger pegmatite veins show a marked zonation with a barren quartz rich core followed by a spodumene rich zone and an outer zone rich in tantalite and albite.

The strike of the individual pegmatites may vary widely but follows more or less N10deg in the south and N0deg in the north. Some petalite veins in the south follow an E-W direction. The dip of the veins varies as well but the majority of the veins dips with approximately 75deg to the west.

Lithium Mineralisation at Zulu:

To date, three principal lithium bearing minerals, spodumene, petalite and lepidolite are known from the Zulu pegmatites. Locally the host rocks of the pegmatites contain also noteworthy amounts of holmquistite, a lithium bearing amphibole.

The pegmatites of the southern parts of the concession are dominated by petalite, those pegmatites found further north are dominated by spodumene. The quantitative mineralogy of mineralised petalite pegmatites and their mineralised host rocks, as well as the mineralised spodumene pegmatites and their mineralised host rocks is given in Table 3 below.

To determine the mineralogical composition, four weighted composite samples were prepared: a lower cut off was 0.25% Li(2) O was applied, for each 10 cm of mineralised core 1.0 g of previously pulverised material was weighed. All samples were thoroughly mixed and re-pulverised to obtain four representative samples.

The four samples were re-assayed by SGS, both pegmatite samples contain approximately 1% Li(2) O on average, the host rock samples contain some 0.32% Li(2) O on average. The four samples as per the table below were then studied by quantitative X-ray diffraction through SGS Minerals Services, South Africa.

Table 3: Summary of the Quantitative Minerology of Mineralised Pegmatites:

 
    Mineral       Approximate Formula     PETHOST   PETPEG   SPODHOST   SPODPEG 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
     Units                 -               Mass%    Mass%     Mass%      Mass% 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
                   (Na,Ca)(Al,Si)(4) 
  Plagioclase             O(8)             25.2      53.6      22.5      57.6 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
  K-feldspar         KAlSi(3) O(8)           -       11.4       -         8.2 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
    Quartz               SiO(2)            34.0      12.3      32.6      17.0 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
                     KAl(2) (Si(3) 
     Mica          Al)O(10) (OH,F)(2)      23.5      4.1       18.6       4.2 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
                    Li(AlSi(4) O(10) 
   Petalite                 )              Trace     13.0      2.5        1.1 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
   Spodumene         LiAlSi(2) O(6)          -       4.4        -         9.6 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
                      (Li(2) Mg(3) 
                      Al(2) )Si(8) 
 Holmquistite         O(22) (OH)(2)         8.3       -        5.4         - 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
                     K(Li,Al)(2-3) 
                     (AlSi(3) O(10) 
  Lepidolite          )(O,OH,F)(2)          0.0      1.1        -         2.3 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
   Amphibole      Ca-Mg-Fe-Al-OH-Si-O      Trace      -        5.5         - 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
                 (Mg,Fe)(6) (Si,Al)(4) 
   Chlorite           O(10) (OH)(8)         9.1       -        12.9        - 
--------------  -----------------------  --------  -------  ---------  -------- 
 

Notes:

PETPEG = petalite dominant pegmatites

PETHOST = host rocks of petalite pegmatites

SPODPEG = spodumene dominant pegmatites

SPODHOST = host rocks of spodumene pegmatites

Tantalum Mineralisation at Zulu:

Most of the lithium bearing pegmatites at Zulu are only comparatively weakly mineralised with tantalum. The only tantalum bearing mineral observed to date, is tantalite-Mn. High grade tantalum mineralised pegmatite veins occur mainly in the northern part of the concession. The highest tantalum grades of up to 803 ppm Ta(2) O(5) are observed in so-called albitites. These are products of intense sodium metasomatism at the contact with pegmatite veins.

Exploration History:

The pegmatite was first pegged in 1955 by J.S. Willemse. Rhodesian Selection Trust Co. Ltd. ("RST") took an option on the claims and carried out an extensive drilling and excavation programme. Though much development work was carried out, Rhodesian Selection Trust declined to exercise their option on the claims. In 1961 and 1962 a small quantity of petalite was mined by W. Burchett in partnership with J.S. Willemse.

In 2010, after decades of no activity, consulting geologist Richard B. Dollar registered the claims in his name and subsequently carried out diamond drilling and trenching financed by Premier. In 2013, the Company exercised an option to acquire the claims.

Mineral Tenement and Land Tenure Status:

The Zulu concession comprises 14 mineral claims owned to 100% by Premier African Minerals. The mineral property is in good standing and there is no known impediment to obtaining a license to operate.

Drilling Techniques and Hole Spacing:

In 2011, six diamond drill holes totalling 2,236 metres were drilled by Ox Drilling, Zambia. Core diameters were PQ (85mm) PQ3 (83mm) and HQ (63.5mm). The aim of this drilling campaign was to establish continuation of the pegmatite mineralisation at depth. 1,153 metres of these 6 holes have been surveyed in early 2017 by the new drilling contractor as this had not been done in 2011. The deeper parts of the holes had partly collapsed.

The first round of the new diamond drilling programme totalling 2,511 metres for 20 holes started in September 2016 and finished in February 2017. The Zimbabwean company Geodrill, Bulawayo, supplied and operated one and later two drill rigs. A downhole survey was done on 2,415 metres of the drill holes. Close to surface the holes had HQ diameters, once in stable ground NQ (47mm) was used.

Sampling:

The drill cores were safely packed at site and then transported to the RHA mine by truck. At the mine, the wet cores were photographed and subsequently logged by Wolfgang Hampel, Exploration Manager of Premier African Minerals. The core with visible or suspected mineralisation was marked, numbered and sawn in half, one half was sawn again in half. One quarter of the core was taken for geochemical analysis, the rest is stored at RHA's core shed for future reference.

The lengths of the sampled cores varied between 0.16m and 8.79m, depending on the lithology (pegmatite / host rock) and the homogeneity of the pegmatites. Markedly zoned pegmatites have been sampled according to their mineralogical composition.

Sample Analysis:

All sample preparation work was carried out at RHA's sample preparation facility at the mine. In a first step, every sample was dried and its density was determined using a density scale (weight wet / weight dry principle). All samples were crushed to -4mm in a jaw crusher and a 200 - 250g split-off was pulverised (minimum of 85% passing 75 microns). A 50g split-off was labelled and sent to SGS South Africa (Randfontein) for multi-element analysis (49 elements). SGS code ICM90A Multi Elements by sodium peroxide fusion, ICP-OES + ICP-MS finish. The sodium peroxide fusion technique is considered to be a "total" dissolution technique for lithium-bearing silicate and tantalum bearing oxide minerals. Detection limits for lithium are 0.01-10% and 0.5-10,000ppm for tantalum.

Certified Reference Material samples (AMIS0343) for lithium, tantalum, niobium, tin and uranium were introduced at a rate of 1:16. Blanks were introduced at the same rate; the blank was a massive barren quartz vein found some 8 km from the Zulu Prospect.

A number of core samples from the earlier 2011 drilling campaign have been re-assayed using the method described above. Initially, the samples of 2011 had only been dissolved using a multi-acid digestion, which is a semi-quantitative technique and not adequate to dissolve certain minerals as for example spodumene and tantalite.

Estimation Methodology:

After conducting a variography analysis of the drill hole data, no suitable variogram could be generated, due to the spatiality of the ore and the erratic grades. For this maiden resource model, Inverse Power of Distance ("IPD") estimation method was utilised to generate the model. The extended drilling plan will provide more sample points so that another variography analysis will be conducted in the future.

Resource Classification:

As the estimation method at this time was IPD, and the erratic nature of the ore, the Company has classified this resource as an inferred resource. With the extended drilling programme, and infill drilling in certain targeted areas, the resource classification can be upgraded when justified.

Cut-Off Grades:

For this maiden inferred resource estimate a cut-off grade of 0.5% Li(2) O was applied. The company believes that a lower cut-off of 0.25% Li(2) O could be justified, provided the ongoing metallurgical test work delivers positive results and the recoveries of the various lithium bearing minerals are satisfactory. At a lower cut-off of 0.25% Li(2) O, the inferred resource estimate tonnage would increase to +28 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.85% Li(2) O and 48 ppm Ta(2) O(5) .

Mining and Metallurgy:

The company intends to develop the Zulu Project as an open pit mine, initially. A metallurgical study on two bulk samples (petalite pegmatite and spodumene pegmatite) is currently carried out by German based Dorfner-Anzaplan. The results are expected shortly.

More Information:

Lithium

Lithium (Li) is recovered from minerals such as spodumene, petalite and lepidolite as well as lithium-rich brines and is used in a range of products such as ceramics, glass, batteries and pharmaceuticals. Lithium use has expanded significantly in recent years due to the increasing use in rechargeable batteries in portable electronic devices and batteries and electrical motors for hybrid and electrical cars.

Lithium grades are normally presented in percentages or parts per million (ppm). Grades of deposits are also expressed as lithium compounds in percentages, for example as a percent lithium oxide (Li(2) O) content or percent lithium carbonate (Li(2) CO(3) ) content.

Lithium carbonate equivalent ("LCE") is the industry standard terminology for, and is equivalent to, Li(2) CO(3) . Use of LCE is to provide data comparable with industry reports and is the total equivalent amount of lithium carbonate, assuming the lithium content in the deposit is converted to lithium carbonate, using the conversion rates in the table included below to get an equivalent Li(2) CO(3) value in percent. Use of LCE assumes 100% recovery and no process losses in the extraction of Li(2) CO(3) from the deposit.

Lithium resources and reserves are usually presented in tonnes of LCE or Li. The standard conversion factors are set out in the table below:

Table 4: Conversion Factors for Lithium Compounds and Minerals

 
 Convert from                   Convert   Convert     Convert to 
                                 to Li     to Li(2)    Li(2) CO(3) 
                                           O 
-------------------  --------  --------  ----------  ------------- 
 Lithium              Li        1.000     2.153       5.323 
                      Li(2) 
 Lithium Oxide         O        0.464     1.000       2.473 
                      Li(2) 
 Lithium Carbonate     CO(3)    0.188     0.404       1.000 
-------------------  --------  --------  ----------  ------------- 
 

The current pricing of Li is set out below (Source: www.deutsche-rohstoffagentur.de):

   (i)         min. 99-99.5% Li(2) CO(3) , large contracts, USA: US$ 13,000/t 
   (ii)        Spodumene concentrate, 7.5% Li(2) O, CIF USA: US$ 900/t 
   (iii)       Petalite concentrate, 4.2% Li(2) O, FOB Durban: US$ 215/t 

Typical Li content is set out below:

   (i)         Spodumene: 8.03% Li(2) O (theoretical), usually it carries 1.5 to 7.0% Li(2) O 
   (ii)        Petalite: 4.88% Li(2) O (theoretical), usually it carries 3.0 to 4.7% Li(2) O 
   (iii)       Lepidolite: 7.70% Li(2) O (theoretical), usually it carries 3.0 to 4.0% Li(2) O 
   (iv)       Holmquistite: 3.98% Li(2) O (theoretical), usually it carries 2.5 to 3.5% Li(2) O 

Tantalum

The primary source of tantalum is from minerals such as tantalite, columbite, wodginite and microlite contained in pegmatite ore bodies. The largest deposits are located in Australia, Brazil and Africa. Tantalum's major use is in the production of electronic components, especially for capacitors, with additional use in components for chemical plants, nuclear power plants, airplanes and missiles. It is also used as a substitute for platinum.

The tantalum market is niche in size with around 1,300 tonnes required each year. However, the market is rapidly growing due to capacitor use in wireless and handheld devices.

Glossary of Technical Terms:

 
 "Albite"             is a sodium rich feldspar 
 "Albitite"           is a rock consisting almost entirely 
                       of albite and quartz. It can be classed 
                       as an alkali-feldspar-granite, however 
                       it is usually a high to medium-temperature 
                       metasomatic rock formed by the sodic 
                       alteration of various rocks 
 "Amphibole"          a group term for various rock forming 
                       silicates with the general chemical 
                       formula Ca-Mg-Fe-Al-OH-Si-O 
 "Chlorite"           a group term for various rock forming 
                       silicates (Mg,Fe)(6) (Si,Al)(4) O(10) 
                       (OH)(8) 
 "Chlorite            metamorphism under certain pressures 
  facies"              and temperatures that lead to the 
                       formation of the mineral chlorite 
 "Columbite"          a black mineral group that is an ore 
                       of niobium and tantalum, [(Fe, Mn)Nb(2) 
                       O(6) ], 
 "Epidosite"          a highly altered epidote and quartz 
                       bearing rock 
 "felsic"             refers to igneous rocks that are relatively 
                       rich in elements that form feldspar 
                       and quartz 
 "Indicated           are economic mineral occurrences that 
  Resource"            have been sampled (from locations 
                       such as outcrops, trenches, pits and 
                       drill holes) to a point where an estimate 
                       has been made, at a reasonable level 
                       of confidence, of their contained 
                       metal, grade, tonnage, shape, densities, 
                       physical characteristics. 
 "Inferred            that part of a Mineral Resource for 
  Resource"            which tonnage, grade and mineral content 
                       can be estimated with a low level 
                       of confidence. It is inferred from 
                       geological evidence and sampling and 
                       assumed but not verified geological 
                       and/or grade continuity. It is based 
                       on information gathered through appropriate 
                       techniques from locations such as 
                       outcrops, trenches, pits, workings 
                       and drill holes that may be limited 
                       or of uncertain quality and reliability 
 "gneiss/gneissic"    a foliated rock formed by regional 
                       metamorphism, in which bands or lenticles 
                       of granular minerals alternate with 
                       bands or lenticles in which minerals 
                       having flaky or elongate prismatic 
                       habits predominate. Generally, less 
                       than 50% of the minerals show preferred 
                       parallel orientation. 
 "Holmquistite"       is a lithium rich amphibole (Li(2) 
                       Mg(3) Al(2) (Si(8) O(22) )(OH)(2) 
                       ) 
 "K-feldspar"         is a general term for potassium bearing 
                       feldspars KAlSi(3) O(8) , a common 
                       rock forming mineral 
 "Lepidolite"         is the mineral name for lithium bearing 
                       mica KLi(2) Al(Si(4) O(10) )(F,OH)(2) 
                       an important ore of lithium 
 "Li(2) O"            chemical formula of dilithium oxide 
 "Lithium Carbonate   is the industry standard terminology 
  Equivalent           for, and is equivalent to, Li(2) CO(3) 
  (LCE)" 
 "mafic"              pertaining to or composed dominantly 
                       of the ferromagnesian rock-forming 
                       silicates; said of some igneous rocks 
                       and their constituent minerals. 
 "Measured            that part of a mineral resource for 
  mineral resource"    which quantity, grade or quality, 
                       densities, shape, and physical characteristics 
                       are so well established that they 
                       can be estimated with confidence sufficient 
                       to allow the appropriate application 
                       of technical and economic parameters, 
                       to support production planning and 
                       evaluation of the economic viability 
                       of the deposit. The estimate is based 
                       on detailed and reliable exploration, 
                       sampling and testing information gathered 
                       through appropriate techniques from 
                       locations such as outcrops, trenches, 
                       pits, workings and drill holes that 
                       are spaced closely enough to confirm 
                       both geological and grade continuity 
 "Metamorphism"       the mineralogical, chemical, and structural 
                       adjustment of solid rocks to physical 
                       and chemical conditions that have 
                       generally been imposed at depth below 
                       the surface zones of weathering and 
                       cementation, and that differ from 
                       the conditions under which the rocks 
                       in question originated. 
 "Metasomatism"       the chemical alteration of a rock 
                       by hydrothermal and other fluids. 
                       It is the replacement of one rock 
                       by another of different mineralogical 
                       and chemical composition. The minerals 
                       which compose the rocks are dissolved 
                       and new mineral formations are deposited 
                       in their place. Dissolution and deposition 

                       occur simultaneously and the rock 
                       remains solid. 
 "Mica"               is a general term for a group of sheet 
                       silicate minerals, it includes several 
                       closely related minerals having nearly 
                       perfect basal cleavage, KAl(2) (Si(3) 
                       Al)O(10) (OH,F)(2) ; micas are common 
                       rock forming minerals. 
 "Microlite"          is a pale-yellow, reddish-brown, or 
                       black mineral composed of sodium calcium 
                       tantalum oxide with a small amount 
                       of fluorine (Na,Ca)(2) Ta(2) O(6) 
                       (O,OH,F); locally a tantalum ore. 
 "Mineral resource"   concentration or occurrence of diamonds, 
                       natural solid inorganic material or 
                       natural fossilized organic material 
                       including base and precious metals, 
                       coal, and industrial minerals in or 
                       on the Earth's crust in such form 
                       and quantity and of such a grade or 
                       quality that it has reasonable prospects 
                       for economic extraction. The location, 
                       quantity, grade, geological characteristics 
                       and continuity of a mineral resource 
                       are known, estimated or interpreted 
                       from specific geological evidence 
                       and knowledge. 
 "Mn"                 is the symbol for the chemical element 
                       manganese 
 "Pegmatite"          an exceptionally coarse-grained igneous 
                       rock, with interlocking crystals, 
                       usually found as irregular dikes, 
                       lenses, or veins, esp. at the margins 
                       of granitic intrusions 
 "Petalite"           the mineral name for lithium aluminium 
                       silicate LiAl(Si4O10) an important 
                       ore of lithium. 
 "Plagioclase"        a group term for sodium to calcium 
                       dominant feldspars (Na,Ca)(Al,Si)4O8, 
                       a common rock forming mineral. 
 "ppm"                means parts per million 
 "Quartz"             one of the most common rock forming 
                       minerals with the chemical composition 
                       SiO2 (silicon dioxide) 
 "SAMREC"             is the South African Code for the 
                       Reporting of Mineral Resources and 
                       Mineral Reserves 
 "schist"             a strongly foliated crystalline rock, 
                       formed by dynamic metamorphism, that 
                       can be readily split into thin flakes 
                       or slabs due to the well-developed 
                       parallelism of more than 50% of the 
                       minerals present, particularly those 
                       of lamellar or elongate prismatic 
                       habit, e.g., mica and amphibole. 
 "serpentinite"       a rock consisting almost wholly of 
                       serpentine-group minerals, e.g., antigorite 
                       and chrysotile or lizardite, derived 
                       from the alteration of ferromagnesian 
                       silicate minerals, such as olivine 
                       and pyroxene. Accessory chlorite, 
                       talc, and magnetite may be present. 
 "Spodumene"          the mineral name for lithium aluminium 
                       silicate LiAlSi2O6 an important ore 
                       of lithium. 
 "Ta(2) O(5)          chemical formula of ditantalum pentoxide 
  " 
 "Tantalum            is the inorganic compound with the 
  pentoxide"           formula Ta(2) O(5) , 
 "Tantalite"          a mostly dark grey to black mineral, 
                       manganese bearing varieties are called 
                       manganotantalite or tantalite-(Mn) 
                       MnTa(2) O(6) ; a major tantalum ore. 
 "Wodginite"          is a manganese, tin, tantalum oxide 
                       mineral with formula Mn(Sn, Ta)Ta(2) 
                       O(8) , locally used as a tantalum 
                       ore 
 

Competent Persons Statement:

The information in this announcement that relates to the Mineral Resource Estimate is based on data compiled and verified by Wolfgang Hampel.

Wolfgang Hampel, Exploration Manager of Premier African Minerals Limited has reviewed and approved this release to the extent that reference is made to the Zulu tenements. Mr Hampel has 26 years' relevant experience in the African, American, European and Asian exploration and mining industry and holds a Diploma in Economic Geology (Dipl.-Geol.) from the Technical University of Munich. He is a registered European Geologist (EurGeol), ndeg 1261, with the European Federation of Geologists. Mr Hampel has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration, and to the activity which has been undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined by the 2007 edition of the South African Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (SAMREC). Mr Hampel has reviewed and approved this announcement and the commentary above to the extent reference is made to geological resource and resource grade and accepts responsibility for the accuracy of the statements disclosed in this announcement.

Forward Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identi ed by their use of terms and phrases such as "believe", "could", "should" "envisage", "estimate", "intend", "may", "plan", "will" or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements re ect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward looking statements.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.

Enquiries:

 
                     Premier African Minerals     Tel: [phone] 
 Fuad Sillem          Limited                      922074 
------------------  ---------------------------  ------------------ 
 Michael Cornish     Beaumont Cornish             Tel: +44 (0) 207 
  / Roland Cornish    Limited                      628 3396 
                      (Nominated Adviser) 
------------------  ---------------------------  ------------------ 
 Jerry Keen/Edward   Shore Capital Stockbrokers   Tel: +44 (0) 207 
  Mansfield           Limited                      408 4090 
------------------  ---------------------------  ------------------ 
                     Beaufort Securities          Tel: +44 (0) 20 
 Jon Belliss          Limited                      7382 8300 
------------------  ---------------------------  ------------------ 
 Charles Goodwin/    Yellow Jersey PR             Tel: [phone] 
  Harriet Jackson     Limited                      788221 
------------------  ---------------------------  ------------------ 
 

Notes to Editors:

Premier African Minerals Limited (AIM: PREM) is a multi-commodity mining and natural resource development company focused in Southern and Western Africa with production started at its flagship RHA project in Zimbabwe.

The Company has a diverse portfolio of projects, which include tungsten, rare earth elements, gold, lithium and tantalum in Zimbabwe and Benin, encompassing brownfield projects with near-term production potential to grass-roots exploration. The Company recently acquired a 52% controlling stake in Mozambique-based TCT Industrias Florestais Limitada, which owns a substantial limestone deposit and forestry business located on rail in the Sofala Province of Mozambique. In addition, the Company holds 2 million shares in Circum Minerals Limited ("Circum"), the owners of the Danakil Potash Project in Ethiopia, which has the potential to be a world class asset. At present those shares are valued at US$4 million based on the latest price at which Circum has accepted subscriptions. Premier also has an interest in Casa Mining Limited, a privately-owned exploration company that has a 71.25% interest in the 1.2 million ounce inferred resource Akyanga gold deposit in the DRC.

ENDS

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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June 06, 2017 02:01 ET (06:01 GMT)