Premier African Minerals appoints seasoned geologist to the board

Premier African Minerals has appointed seasoned geologist Wolfgang Hampel, the former chief operating officer of Tantalus Rare Earths, as a director of the company with immediate effect.

This came as John Stalker, a member of the board since December 2012, stepped down from the role of director in order to lighten his workload after taking up the positions of chief executive officer and president of LSC Lithium back in September 2017.

As a result of his appointment, Hampel - who has 27 years of experience in lithium, rare earth elements and precious and base metals - now holds options to subscribe up to 8m ordinary shares of no par value in the company.

George Roach, Premier's chief executive, said: "Mr Stalker has made a valuable contribution to the development of the company over several years. On behalf of the company and the board, I would like to express my appreciation and wish him well in future endeavours, and his goal of reducing his current workload.

"At the same time, I welcome Mr Hampel to the board. Mr Hampel is a widely experienced seasoned geologist and has overseen Premier's exploration projects in Zimbabwe since 2014. His knowledge and experience in pegmatite ore bodies and rare earth elements is significant as we look to progress Zulu Lithium to definitive feasibility study and with re-emerging interest in rare earth elements, revitalise our exploration of the Katete rare earth carbonatite complex."

As of 1100 BST, shares had declined 3.76% to 0.16p.