Andrada Mining Limited, formerly known as AfriTin Mining Limited, has announced significant findings from its drill program in the Spodumene Hill Project located within the ML129 mining license in Namibia. The assay results reveal the presence of high-grade spodumene zones within the B1 and C1 pegmatites, indicating promising potential for the African technology metals mining company.
All drill holes conducted during the program intersected mineralized pegmatites, suggesting continuity at depth. The key highlights from the assay results are as follows:
| Drill Hole | Intersection | Li2O (%) | Ta (ppm) | Sn (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1_01 | 14.52m at 1.38% | 1.38 | 285 | 0.131 |
| (from 15.48m to | ||||
| 30.00m) | ||||
| Including: | ||||
| – 5m at 2.32% Li2O | 2.32 | |||
| – 2.5m at 2.04% | 2.04 | |||
| Li2O | ||||
| B1_09 | 12.78m at 0.74% | 0.74 | 181 | 0.052 |
| (from 65.80m to | ||||
| 78.58m) | ||||
| Including: | ||||
| – 4.66m at 1.45% | 1.45 | |||
| Li2O | ||||
| C1_04 | 11.06m at 0.81% | 0.81 | 1101 | 0.033 |
| (from 13.59m to | ||||
| 24.65m) | ||||
| Including: | ||||
| – 3.65m at 2.14% | 2.14 | |||
| Li2O |
These high-grade lithium intersections indicate the presence of significant spodumene mineralization within the pegmatites. Furthermore, the pegmatite intersections contain tantalum, which presents additional upside potential, especially with the tantalum concentration circuit nearing completion.
Anthony Viljoen, the Chief Executive Officer of Andrada Mining, expressed enthusiasm about the drill results, emphasizing the potential of the Spodumene Hill Project. Viljoen noted that the identified high-grade lithium intersections within the pegmatites could potentially be separated through ore sorting, resulting in a high-grade pre-concentrate for the lithium processing plant. The tantalum potential in the area was also highlighted, thanks to the recently constructed tantalum recovery circuit. The proximity of the Spodumene Hill Project to existing operations opens up immediate opportunities for additional revenues by blending tantalum grades.
Viljoen further stated that thehighlighted intersections provide a promising starting point for the next phase of exploration, which aims to determine the lateral and vertical extent of these zones. Additionally, a metallurgical program has been initiated to investigate the optimal beneficiation process for recovering both lithium and tantalum while also producing tin as a by-product.
The Spodumene Hill Project’s drill program results are expected to fuel further interest and investment in the mining sector. The discovery of high-grade spodumene zones enhances the project’s potential as a valuable source of technology metals, particularly lithium. With the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, Andrada Mining’s findings come at a crucial time.
Located within the ML129 mining license, the Spodumene Hill Project benefits from its proximity to existing operations, allowing for immediate opportunities to generate additional revenues through tantalum blending. Tantalum, a critical metal used in various electronic components, has a strong market demand, and the presence of tantalum in the pegmatite intersections further adds to the project’s economic viability.
