Andrada Mining is an Aim-listed technology metals (tech-metals) mining company with a vision to create a portfolio of globally significant, conflict-free, production and exploration assets. The Company’s flagship operation is the Uis Mine in Namibia, formerly the world’s largest open cast hard rock tin mine. The Uis Mine is located in the mineral rich Erongo region of Namibia. The Mine is in central west Namibia located approximately 240km northeast of the international port, Walvis Bay.
Andrada has three mining licenses namely, ML134 (Uis) on which the Uis Mine is located, ML133 (Lithium Ridge), and ML129 (Spodumene Hill). The main minerals in these mining licences are tin, lithium and tantalum. Additionally, the Company has an exploration licence EL5445 (Brandberg West) on which the main minerals are tin, copper and tungsten. Andrada has 15.6 million tonnes proven and probable ore reserves and has set to expand its current JORC (2012) mineral resource inventory from 138 million tonnes to a target of 200 million tonnes in the future. The substantial mineral resource potential will enable the Company to consider economies of scale.
The mining methodology at Uis Mine is the conventional open pit method employing truck and excavator combinations. At peak operations, mining will take place over multiple pegmatite ore bodies from four to five pits concurrently. The estimated mine life for Uis Mine, using the current ore reserves, is approximately 14 years. However, the large resource exceeding 130 million tonnes supports the expansion of the processing facility.
Following the identification of additional tech-metals in the pegmatites within its three mining areas, Andrada is in the process of expanding its existing tin operations to incorporate lithium and tantalum concentrate production streams. Andrada produced initial saleable lithium concentrate through the dense medium separation processing of bulk samples from the Company’s Lithium Ridge licence in May 2023. The bulk sample for this pilot test had a head grade of 1.50% Li2O resulting in an 85% pure petalite at a grade of 4.16% Li₂O. The provisional completion of an offtake agreement for the petalite concentrate testwork is targeted for the third quarter of CY 2023. Additionally, the commissioning of an on-site lithium bulk sampling pilot plant commenced in July 2023. The bulk sampling processing capacity will be 20 tonnes per hour and will expedite Andrada’s bulk test work as well as potentially produce saleable lithium concentrate.
Andrada is managed by a board of directors with extensive industry knowledge and a management team with deep commercial and technical skills. The Company is committed to the sustainable development of its operations and the growth of the business. The leadership team places significant emphasis on creating value for the wider community, investors, and other key stakeholders. Andrada has established an environmental, social and governance system that is implemented at all levels of the Company and aligns with international standards.
Conclusively, Andrada aims to use the location of its assets and first mover competitive advantage to rapidly develop a vertically integrated lithium industry within Namibia. Bringing a lithium concentrate to market from the ongoing pilot testing programme is the first step in validating the lithium potential of the region as well as unlocking the significant potential of our large mineral resource.
Contributed by Andrada Mining
