AfriTin Mining is seeking a name change to Andrada Mining, a move the company said is reflective of its expansion into lithium and tantalum resources, alongside its existing tin production, in the country.
The proposed name originates from Brazilian Mineralogist and Professor José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva, who first discovered petalite and spodumene, which are major lithium-bearing minerals and a precursor to the identification of lithium.
“The change of name proposed reflects the importance that our lithium resource will bring to our expanding production base.
The name change pays homage to an individual who discovered what is now such an important lithium mineral. It also marks the expanded production for us in Namibia beyond our existing tin operations, which still remain a key part of our strategy, while signalling to investors our purpose to deliver materials key to the energy transition,” AfriTin CEO Anthony Viljoen said.
To effect the proposed name change, AfriTin will hold an extraordinary general meeting on 5 January 2023.
In addition to the proposed name change, AfriTin will repropose an extraordinary resolution which relates to the right to issue shares and options for management.
This comes as the London Stock Exchange-listed firm announced that pilot-scale lithium metallurgical testing, which will also produce samples for potential off-takers, whom it’s currently in talks with, has started, with first results expected in the first quarter.
First results from laboratory metallurgical test work with Nagrom to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide are expected in the third quarter.
A lithium pilot plant, intended for processing bulk ore samples at Uis, is progressing to construction phase, with long lead items ordered. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the second quarter.
A full-scale, integrated tantalum separation circuit is progressing to construction phase, with long lead items ordered and construction scheduled to be complete in the second quarter. First production of tantalum concentrate is expected by the third quarter.
“The excellent laboratory test result of a high-grade, ultra-low iron petalite gives us the confidence to advance to the pilot phase of our lithium product development programme. We look forward to establishing production of lithium petalite concentrate and initiating testing with potential offtakers in the glassware and ceramics market, for whom petalite is a key raw material, as well as with producers of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate for the battery market,” Viljoen said.
He said in addition to lithium, AfriTin is moving ahead with the construction of a tantalum separation circuit, which will be integrated with the existing tin concentrator plant. The new circuit will magnetically separate tantalum minerals from the existing tin concentrate stream into a second saleable concentrate.
“The company is fully focussed on unlocking early value for its stakeholders through fast-tracking the development programme towards production. We believe that the addition of lithium and tantalum by-products will confirm the company as a globally significant, high-margin producer of technology metals,” Viljoen said.
Last month the company announced that its exploration activities in Namibia had confirmed the presence of significant lithium, tin and tantalum mineralisation.
The company plans to raise N$854 million to fully fund its lithium and tantalum production at the Uis Mine in Namibia after metallurgical test work results show the successful production of a petalite lithium concentrate, indicating the potential for a lithium byproduct at the Uis Mine.
AfriTin Mining is an African technology metals mining company with a portfolio of mining and exploration assets in Namibia.
