Andrada Mining, listed in the UK, has announced the successful initiation of lithium concentrate production at its Uis lithium project in Namibia through its newly commissioned pilot plant.
Sited adjacent to the primary tin processing plant at Uis mine, the pilot plant has already yielded ten tonnes of concentrate and anticipates escalating production to potentially reach 250 tonnes monthly by March 2024.
Initially, the focus lies on generating bulk samples of petalite concentrate, catering to specialized glass and ceramics markets.
Subsequently, the company aims to develop lithium concentrate tailored for metallurgical testing, aiming to meet specifications suitable for the lithium battery market, followed by commercial sale in the spot market.
Pricing projections for the petalite concentrate in the current spot market range between $1,600 and $2,200 per tonne.
Andrada aims to optimize concentrate production for diverse lithium markets by targeting pegmatites with higher lithium grades.
The company plans to intensify exploration efforts to identify pegmatites with elevated lithium concentrations, scheduled to commence in January.
Additionally, Andrada outlines plans to construct a lithium mining and concentration facility, aiming for an annual production capacity of a minimum of 15,000 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate equivalent, requiring 2.5 to 3 million tonnes per annum of ore.
This forthcoming year will witness focused exploration endeavors aimed at enhancing mineralization understanding across all the company’s mining licenses.
Resource validation drilling at Uis mine aims to bolster the current mineral resource estimate (MRE) for tin, while simultaneously exploring the potential for lithium and other metals.
Moreover, intensive drilling efforts are scheduled at the Lithium Ridge project to establish a maiden MRE and augment comprehension of lithium mineralization. The Spodumene Hill project will also undergo a drilling program to delineate high-grade spodumene zones.
CEO Anthony Viljoen expressed confidence in Andrada’s strides toward becoming a significant player in African lithium development.
He highlighted the potential for Namibia’s Erongo region to emerge as a pivotal participant in the global lithium landscape, indicating the prospect of hosting significant mines.
The company’s recent securing of $25 million from Orion Resource Partners’ Orion Mine Finance signifies a notable step toward advancing the Uis mine project.
