Chamwe Kaira
Andrada Mining continues to show strong operational progress at its Uis site in the Erongo Region, reinforcing its role in Namibia’s critical minerals sector.
Chief Executive Officer Anthony Viljoen said the first quarter of 2025 saw solid performance improvements at the Uis operation. These gains were supported by upgrades made through the company’s continuous improvement programme, including modifications to the Dense Media Separation (DMS) circuit. He said these changes led to higher processing rates and increased tin production, showing improved operational efficiency and reliability.
“Production of our increasingly valuable byproduct tantalum improved notably, reinforcing our multi-mineral offering,” said Viljoen. He added that operational cost performance improved due to proactive cost-reduction measures, including the completion of a group-wide corporate restructuring aimed at lowering the cost base and improving profitability.
Construction of a new jig plant is also progressing. Viljoen said the front-end crushing circuit has been delivered to Uis and commissioned, while other components are either being fabricated or in transit. Civil works have been completed. “Initial production is targeted to commence in the second half of the 2025 calendar year, aligning with project timelines and supporting the company’s growth objectives,” he said.
During the quarter, the company processed 254,745 tonnes of ore, a 7% year-on-year increase and a 4% rise from the previous quarter. Viljoen said this marks a significant milestone in the company’s tin expansion strategy.
Tantalum output also increased, driven by higher feed grades and the reprocessing of off-spec material. About 12 tonnes of concentrate were produced, containing 1.4 tonnes of tantalum. “Of this, 10 tonnes of concentrate were shipped to Afrimet during the period, reflecting ongoing offtake execution and consistent production delivery,” he said.
On lithium development, Viljoen said the work plan and budget for Stage 1 of Lithium Ridge have been finalised. This triggered the drawdown of a US$7 million funding facility to support exploration and drilling.
Regarding the Lithium Pilot Plant, Viljoen said talks with potential off-takers are ongoing and commercial discussions are progressing, despite a challenging pricing environment.
