Premier African Minerals Appoints Graham Hill MD

Oscar J Jeke- Zim Now Reporter

Premier African Minerals Limited has appointed veteran mining executive Graham Hill as Managing Director (non-Board) effective July 16, in a move aimed at accelerating the company's turnaround at the troubled Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project in Zimbabwe.

The announcement, made via a regulatory filing, comes just weeks after former CEO George Roach resigned from the board on May 20. The company said Hill may be appointed Chief Executive Officer following the successful completion of regulatory checks and a probationary period.

Chairman Godfrey Manhambara welcomed Hill’s appointment, describing it as a relief and expressing confidence in the incoming executive’s ability to address persistent technical and operational challenges at Zulu.

"I expect that his contribution to final resolution of the issues at Zulu will be marked and significant. Graham has wide experience that has direct relevance to our operations, and I welcome his hands-on direct approach at Zulu,” Manhambara said in the company’s statement.

Hill brings more than four decades of mine development experience across Africa, Europe, and Central Asia. Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Adriatic Metals PLC, where he oversaw the development of the Vares Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

His prior roles include senior posts at Silver Bear Resources, Anglo American, Oxus Gold, and Axmin, where he was responsible for key feasibility and infrastructure initiatives.

“Mr. Hill is a qualified engineer with over 41 years of experience in mine development and management in Africa, Southern Europe and Central Asia. He has extensive prior experience at Senior Executive and Board levels.

“Mr. Hill was most recently Chief Operating Officer of ASX and Main Listed Adriatic Metals PLC, where he oversaw the pre-feasibility, feasibility and development of the Vares Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Previously, Mr. Hill delivered the Silver Bear silver mine in eastern Siberia,” he added.

Premier African Minerals is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker PREM. It operates a multi-commodity portfolio focused on lithium, tantalum, tungsten, and rare earths, with flagship projects in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The company said that Hill’s arrival is intended to strengthen technical capacity as it works to bring Zulu into long-term profitable production, a critical objective following delays and operational hurdles in recent months.