Andrada Mining has announced the production of 10 tonnes of on-specification saleable lithium concentrate from its pilot plant, marking a crucial step forward in its lithium development strategy.
The pilot plant, commissioned in October 2023, is set to scale up Andrada’s production, with a planned increase to 250 tonnes per month by the end of the first quarter of the 2024 calendar year.
Andrada Chief Executive Officer Anthony Viljoen expressed optimism about the potential impact of their endeavors, saying: “We believe that our efforts throughout the year have the potential to place Andrada at the forefront of lithium development in Africa.”
Viljoen highlighted the discovery of additional lithium reserves in the Lithium Ridge and Spodumene Hill, suggesting that Namibia’s Erongo region could play a pivotal role in the global lithium landscape.
While achieving successful production, Andrada is also actively involved in discussions with glass ceramics off-takers regarding the provision of high-purity petalite.
“The lithium pilot plant serves a dual purpose, not only producing bulk samples for the specialist glass and ceramics markets but also facilitating metallurgical test work for battery-grade lithium hydroxide,” the company said.
Andrada also plans to construct a lithium mining and concentration facility, which aims to produce a minimum capacity of 15,000 tonnes per annum lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).
The long-term goal is an impressive 50,000 tonnes per annual LCE or 10 Mtpa run-of-mine ore, backed by the directors’ belief in a potentially significant lithium resource within Andrada’s mining licenses.
The company’s exploration strategy for 2024 includes rigorous drilling campaigns across all its mining license areas.
“The exploration strategy for CY2024 is designed to deepen the understanding of mineralization on all mining licenses. Specific drilling campaigns at Uis, Lithium Ridge, and Spodumene Hill are tailored to enhance resource validation, maiden Mineral Resource Estimates, and delineate higher-grade zones,” the company reports
Andrada recently secured N$455 million in funding from Orion Mine Finance which will go towards boosting tin production at Uis Tin Mine as well as exploration drilling and metallurgical test work.
