Andrada Mining has reported lithium grades of up to 2.04% lithium oxide (Li₂O) from its latest drilling at the Lithium Ridge Project in Namibia, as exploration continues to identify mineralisation across multiple pegmatites.
The fifth batch of diamond drilling results included 10.66 metres grading 1.13% Li₂O from a depth of 0.90 metres in hole LRD060, including a higher-grade intersection of 4.79 metres at 2.04% Li₂O.
Other significant results included 34.90 metres at 1.02% Li₂O in hole LRD045 and 9.03 metres grading 1.64% Li₂O in hole LRD042.
Andrada Chief Executive Officer Anthony Viljoen said several pegmatites returned lithium grades above 1.5%.
“This fifth batch of results demonstrates the presence of high-grade intersections confirming that we are still uncovering the full potential of the Lithium Ridge licence. Multiple pegmatites in this batch have returned intersections exceeding 1.5% Li₂O,” Viljoen said.
The latest results cover 23 drill holes that intersected mineralisation, with lithium encountered from near-surface depths to as deep as 275 metres.
Andrada said the drilling demonstrated down-dip continuity and structural thickening of the targeted pegmatite swarms, while also confirming the presence of tin and tantalum mineralisation.
The company said the presence of multiple commodities could potentially improve the economics of Lithium Ridge, although this remains subject to further metallurgical testing and economic evaluation.
Drilling has also confirmed lithium mineralisation in a newly identified pegmatite outside the main Lithium Ridge mineralised trend, expanding the potential exploration area.
Holes LRD064, LRD066 and LRD072 returned consistent high-grade lithium mineralisation in the newly identified area.
“These results also confirm that newly identified pegmatites beyond the main mineralised trend at Lithium Ridge also contain substantial lithium mineralisation. This highlights the upside potential that remains to be explored across the licence,” Viljoen said.
Andrada plans further exploration across the licence to test additional targets and improve confidence in its geological model.
The Lithium Ridge Project is being advanced under a strategic earn-in partnership with SQM International, with the latest drilling forming part of ongoing work to assess the scale and potential of the lithium mineralisation.
