Aim-listed Andrada Mining has reported a 13% year-on-year increase in contained tin production to 576 t for the first half of its 2027 financial year, supported by higher feed grades and improved processing rates at its Uis tin mine in Namibia.

Tin concentrate production increased by 11% year-on-year to 955 t for the six months ended August 31, while quarterly contained tin production rose 6% to 290 t and concentrate production increased by the same margin to 482 t.

The company has highlighted that the stronger first-half performance reflects continued operational improvements at Uis, with the average plant processing rate having increased by 7% year-on-year to 153 t/h.

Ore processed for the first half of the company's 2027 financial year has increased by 2% to about 539 000 t, while the average feed grade increased by 9% to 0.149% in tin, compared with 0.137% tin in the first half of the previous financial year.

Further, the company notes that the improvements in feed grade and plant throughput contributed to the 6% increases in both tin concentrate and contained tin production during the second quarter.

The higher production has also resulted in an increase in ore shipments, with 36 shipments recorded during the first half, compared with 25 in the corresponding period of the previous financial year.

Meanwhile, Andrada also reports that its planned Uis operational upgrades are now fully funded following the securing of N$98-million (converted to £4.4-million) in funding from commercial bank Bank Windhoek and State-owned development bank the Development Bank of Namibia.

The funding, secured by the company's wholly owned subsidiary Uis Tin Mining Company, covers the planned operational upgrades, including the installation of an ore-sorting circuit.

Implementation of the programme has started, with long-lead equipment for the crushing component already ordered.

The ore-sorting circuit will reject lower-grade material before downstream processing, increasing the grade of material fed to the plant.

Andrada expects the project to increase the yearly tin concentrate production by 50% to 70%, to between 2 500 t/y and 3 000 t/y, which is expected to translate into between 1 500 t/y and 1 900 t/y of contained tin.

The company says higher concentrate production is also expected to reduce the applicable royalty rate, thereby supporting improved operating margins and cash generation.

Moreover, Andrada Mining CEO Anthony Viljoen has highlighted that the first-half performance has demonstrated the benefit of operational improvements implemented at Uis and provided a stronger base for the company's next phase of growth.

“This performance demonstrates the benefit of the operational improvements we have made at Uis and provides a stronger base from which to deliver the next phase of growth.

“The higher feed grades and processing rate supported the increased tin production and the recently secured N$98-million bank funding package from Bank Windhoek and Development Bank of Namibia will enable us to implement the installation of the ore sorting circuit,” he says.

Andrada says it will continue implementing the crushing and ore-sorting circuits during the second half of its financial year, alongside ongoing operational improvements at Uis.

The company will provide a broader update on its financial performance, portfolio development and outlook when it publishes its interim results.