Chamwe Kaira
Andrada Mining Limited has started exploration drilling at its Lithium Ridge project in the Erongo Region.
The company is working with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA through its subsidiary SQM Australia (Pty) Ltd.
The drilling forms part of the first stage of a three-stage earn-in agreement with SQM. Under this stage, SQM will fund up to U$7 million in exploration to secure an initial 30% interest. Across all three stages, SQM may fund up to U$40 million.
The programme involves 14 000 metres of orientated diamond drilling on priority lithium targets.
It also includes high-resolution geological mapping and sampling, which has already identified new granites with visible mineralisation.
The work builds on historical results showing up to 2.13% lithium along a six-kilometre mineralised ridgeline.
Andrada chief executive officer Anthony Viljoen said the commencement of drilling at Lithium Ridge with its tier-1 joint-venture partner, SQM, is a significant step forward in unlocking one of Namibia’s most exciting lithium opportunities.
“The encouraging historical results of up to 2.13% lithium along the 6 km ridge line are already being complemented by a new geological mapping and sampling programme that has identified additional mineralised granites containing visible crystals. This strengthens our confidence in the scale and quality of the project, “ Viljoen said.
The Lithium Ridge licence covers about 3,300 hectares and is located 35 kilometres southeast of the Uis mine.
Last year, Andrada completed the construction of two facilities at Uis to enable co-production of lithium and tantalum. According to the Chamber of Mines 2024 Annual Report, ore processed at Uis increased by 17% to 951 698 tonnes, driven by higher crusher throughput.
The company produced about 50 115 tonnes of saleable tantalum concentrate, with an offtake agreement in place with Afri-Met Resources AG of Switzerland.
Total tin concentrate production in 2024 was 1 523 tonnes.
Caption
Anthony Viljoen
