Andrada Mining Limited has commenced exploration drilling at its Lithium Ridge project in Namibia in partnership with Chilean lithium producer Sociedad Química y Minera (SQM).
The drilling programme marks the first stage of a three-phase earn-in agreement under which SQM will provide up to US$7 million to secure an initial 30% stake, with potential investment of up to US$40 million across all stages.
“The commencement of drilling at Lithium Ridge with our tier-1 joint-venture partner, SQM, is a significant step forward in unlocking one of Namibia’s most exciting lithium opportunities,” said Andrada Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Viljoen.
He explained that the campaign will involve 14,000 metres of diamond drilling across priority lithium targets.
Early geological mapping and sampling have already identified new pegmatites containing visible spodumene mineralisation, complementing historical results that confirmed grades of up to 2.13% Li₂O along a six-kilometre mineralised ridgeline.
Lithium Ridge, situated 35 kilometres from Andrada’s producing Uis tin mine, contains multiple high-priority lithium-bearing pegmatites with associated tin and tantalum.
The drilling aims to extend exploration across the wider licence area and strengthen the project’s economic potential as a large-scale, high-quality lithium deposit.
“The investment by SQM underscores Lithium Ridge’s potential and Namibia’s growing role in the global supply of critical minerals. We expect this programme to provide the foundation for fast-tracking the project towards development,” Viljoen added.
The development follows Andrada’s commissioning of a new jig plant in August to expand tin processing capacity and cut costs.
The company has also secured an ore supply deal with Goantagab in Kunene, which will deliver 240,000 tonnes of ore annually at an average grade of 1.5% tin.
Meanwhile, exploration continues across the wider portfolio. At Brandberg West, drilling has confirmed high-grade intersections of tin, tungsten and copper.
At Uis, widespread mineralisation was also identified, with results including intersections of 1.13% tin, 1.76% lithium oxide and 281 ppm tantalum.
