The AIM-listed miner has issued 4 billion new shares to bankroll working capital at its Zulu lithium project while talks continue with offtake partner Canmax over a deadline extension.

Premier African has obtained funding to back optimisation and working capital at its Zulu lithium and tantalum project after the plant produced first spodumene concentrate from a newly commissioned flotation circuit.

The miner reports initial production of a spodumene-bearing concentrate from commissioning of its Zulu flotation plant, with internal assays preliminary and grades improving but still below target.

"This is a very positive step in the re-start of Zulu," Graham Hill, managing director, said.

Premier African Minerals reports hot commissioning has progressed onto ore at its Zulu Lithium plant and the company expects to complete the commissioning programme in Q2 2026.

The mining development company has preserved working capital and prioritised advancement of the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project by settling about £0.217m of liabilities through the issue of 1.18bn shares at 0.0185p each.

It has issued new shares to fund the completion of commissioning at its Zulu Lithium flotation plant.

It raised £1m via a share subscription to fund commissioning of its Zulu Lithium Xinhai spodumene flotation plant.

AIM-listed Premier African Minerals says key infrastructure is in place at its Zulu Lithium Xinhai flotation plant, and design changes to cut operating costs come as Zimbabwe moves to a quota-based export regime for lithium concentrates.