Chamwe Kaira
Andrada Mining Limited has reported high-grade lithium results from surface sampling at its Lithium Ridge project in Namibia, boosting confidence in the project as exploration drilling continues.
The AIM-listed tin producer is developing Lithium Ridge in partnership with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA through its subsidiary SQM Australia (Pty) Ltd.
The work forms part of an earn-in agreement under which SQM is funding a stage one drilling programme to earn a 30% stake in the project.
Andrada said geological mapping and grab sampling across the licence area returned multiple high-grade lithium results at the surface. Several samples recorded lithium oxide grades above 4%, with the highest at 4.67% Lithium.
The company said the results came from several pegmatite bodies along the mineralised trend, pointing to the size and extent of lithium mineralisation at Lithium Ridge.
The sampling programme also confirmed the presence of tin and tantalum.
Individual samples returned tin grades of up to 3.12% Sn and tantalum values of up to 905 parts per million. Andrada said the main lithium mineral identified is spodumene, in line with results from earlier drilling and sampling.
Chief executive officer Anthony Viljoen said the surface sampling results support the project’s potential.
He said the lithium grades, combined with confirmed spodumene mineralisation and associated tin and tantalum, could support project economics through possible by-product credits.
Viljoen said while expansion work continues at the company’s Uis mine, Lithium Ridge highlights further potential within Andrada’s asset portfolio.
He said the stage one drilling programme is progressing as planned, with the first assay results expected soon.
Andrada Mining Limited is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market and operates a portfolio of mining and exploration assets in Namibia.
The company is scaling up tin production while advancing lithium, tantalum, tungsten and copper projects as part of its broader growth strategy.
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Anthony Viljoen
