Source: Geology.com
Source: Geology.com
Zimbabwe produced 900 metric tons of lithium concentrate in 2015.
- Bikita Minerals (Pvt) Ltd in Zimbabwe has an unusual variety and tonnage of commercial lithium minerals, as well as tantalum, tin, beryl and pollucite . Its reserves were estimated to be 6 million ton Li in 1961 (Cooper, 1964) and 23, 000 mt Li in 2009 (Jaskula, 2010). Bulk prices have been reported to be as low as $147 per tonne of petalite concentrate (4.2 % Li2O). Bikita Minerals in Zimbabwe have been producing lithium containing concentrates for the ceramics industry since the 1960s. According to Garrett, the proven reserves are 23MT of ore at 1.4% Lithium Oxide content, i.e. a resource in place of 150,000 tonnes of Lithium but Reserves - what can realistically be produced – are estimated by the USGS to be only 23,000 tonnes. Lithium Carbonate has never been produced from this lithium source. Production of lithium minerals from Bikita could be about 30,000 tpy (i.e. a Lithium Carbonate equivalent content of 1000 tonnes since this is unprocessed ore, not a glass grade concentrate. Other minor lithium deposits in Zimbabwe occur in the Insiza, Matobo, Mazoe, Mutoko, Harare, Mutare, Kamativi and Hwange districts (Cooper, 1964).
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Premier African Minerals Limited (PREM:LN) was established to acquire and develop mineral properties across Africa, especially in West and Southern Africa. Located in south-central Zimbabwe, Zulu is an advanced exploration project located in an area of known REE mineralisation. Historical exploration results have established Zulu as prospective for lithium and tantalum. An historical Exploration Target estimation of the lithium mineralisation by Rhodesian Selection Trust suggested that 1.4 million tonnes of pegmatite at a possible grade of 1.4 per cent Li2O may be present. The project comprises structurally controlled lithium bearing pegmatites with historical data from trenches and diamond drillholes. Two types of pegmatite have been identified in the area; both have estimated grades of 1.2% lithium. Recent geological mapping and trenching has extended the strike extent of the pegmatite for approximately 5km. A 2km strike extension to the north has also been defined. Premier has completed a six diamond drill hole programme and taken grab samples. These samples indicated tantalum contents of between 220 ppm and 1,037ppm and lithium contents ranging between 0.2 per cent. and 0.7 per cent Li2O. Premier intends, funds permitting, to advance the Zulu Lithium Project by conducting a further 1,000m of trenching and 2,000m of core drilling with accompanying metallurgical studies with an objective of establishing a code compliant Mineral Resource. In June 2017 Premier estimated resource of 20.1-million tonnes grading 1.06% lithium oxide (Li2O) and 51 parts per million tantalum pentoxide, using a cut-off grade of 0.5% Li2O. The resource, which is compliant with the South African Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, or Samrec, is further estimated to contain 562 000 t of lithium carbonate equivalent (LTE) and 1 025 t of tantalum pentoxide. The resource estimate was based on Premier’s initial 2 511 m exploration drilling programme, which was focused on only 1 200 m of the southern part of the known 3.5 km strike length of the project. The drilling programme confirms that the deposit remains open at depth and on strike.
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Prospect Resources Limited (ASX:PSC) is a Southern Africa focused lithium and gold mining and exploration company based in Perth with operations in Zimbabwe. Prospect’s flagship project is the Arcadia Lithium Project located on the outskirts of Harare in Zimbabwe. Since acquiring the project in mid 2016, Prospect has completed a drilling and evaluation program that culminated in declaration of a JORC 2012 Compliant Mineral Resource estimate in October 2016 and updated again in March 2017. Prospect now has over 9km2 of granted Mining Claims over the Arcadia Pegmatite swarm that has an identified strike of 4.5km.
High Grade Zone - 1% Li2O Cut-off |
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Category
|
Tonnes
|
Li2O %
|
Ta2O5 ppm
|
Li2O Tonnes
|
Ta2O5 lbs
|
Measured
|
5,700,000
|
1.48%
|
134
|
83,800
|
1,700,000
|
Indicated
|
15,100,000
|
1.38%
|
118
|
208,000
|
3,900,000
|
Inferred
|
14,100,000
|
1.44%
|
133
|
203,000
|
4,100,000
|
GRAND TOTAL
|
34,900,000
|
1.42%
|
127
|
494,800
|
9,700,000
|
Prospect Resources Limited executed a conditional Placement and Framework Agreement with Sinomine Resources Exploration Co. Ltd. and Sinomine International Exploration (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd in November 2017. Sinomine is to invest A$10,000,000 via a share placement in Prospect at A$0.05 per share. Prospect agrees to sell 390,000 tonnes of Spodumene Concentrate and 1,097,000 tonnes of Petalite Concentrate over a proposed 7 year period priced using a market linked price which is referenced to Lithium Carbonate sold in to China. Prospect can, at any time, build a lithium carbonate plant and divert 50% of the Petalite Concentrate to this facility and supply Lithium Carbonate to Sinomine under the offtake contract The parties have also agreed indicative terms for a Facility Agreement and a Build and Transfer Contract. Sinomine fully finance the Build and Transfer Contract, including relevant working capital to take the mine to annualised production targets and Prospect will commence repayments of the facility upon shipment of first product under the offtake Agreement. Sinomine will construct, build and commission the mine, tailings facilities, plant and equipment and all associated infrastructure for the Arcadia Lithium Project on a build and transfer basis. Prospect will take ownership of the plant once the mine and plant have achieved 3 months of annualised production as per the above offtake Agreement Prospect in conjunction with Sinomine, will commission BGRIMM (Beijing General Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy) to prepare a definitive feasibility study to be completed in 3 months. BGRIMM is the parent company of Easpring, one of China’s leading lithium cathode producers.
