JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – London-listed and Namibia-focused Andrada Mining, a tin producer with a portfolio of critical minerals mining and exploration assets in Namibia, has announced more assay results from its Lithium Ridge project, which show high-grade lithium alongside pervasive tin and tantalum mineralisation.

“This fifth batch of results demonstrates the presence of high-grade intersections confirming that we’re still uncovering the full potential of the Lithium Ridge licence,” Andrada CEO Anthony Viljoen stated in a media release to Mining Weekly.

Multiple pegmatites in the latest drilling batch have returned intersections exceeding 1.5% lithium oxide.

“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,” added Viljoen, the son of the late geological luminary Richard Viljoen, who, with his late twin brother, Morris, have left a rich geoscience legacy.

Consistent with previous batches of Lithium Ridge drill results, spodumene is the primary lithium-bearing mineral identified within these intersections.

The associated presence of coincident tin and tantalum mineralisation further demonstrates the polymetallic nature of the Lithium Ridge pegmatites, enabling Andrada to leverage its existing metallurgical processing to maximise resource extraction.

The Lithium Ridge project is being advanced under a strategic earn-in partnership with lithium producer SQM International, a subsidiary of Chilean mining company SQM.

A detailed table contains the results of 23 drill holes that intersected lithium mineralisation extending to depths of up to 275 m, with associated tin and tantalum mineralisation pervasive across the pegmatite bodies.

Downhole orientation surveys were conducted using a magnetic deviation probe, with readings collected at two metre intervals as drilling progressed. Each hole was also surveyed in full following completion of drilling.

Drill holes were collared at inclined angles ranging from -45^o to -75^o to intersect the pegmatite bodies as close to perpendicular as practicable. Drill core was geologically and structurally logged, cut into quarter core samples and dispatched to certified independent preparation and analytical laboratories. 

Sample preparation was undertaken by SA Labs Ithuba, with chemical analyses performed by UIS Analytical Services. Lithium and major elements were analysed using sodium peroxide fusion followed by a finish via inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.

The technical data in this announcement has been reviewed by Professor Laurence Robb.

Andrada has evolved from a tin producer into a diversified critical minerals company with Uis, the company’s producing foundation, Lithium Ridge, a lithium opportunity being advanced with SQM, and Brandberg West, an historically producing tin and tungsten asset being developed in partnership with BWCAM, an affiliate of the private investment firm ACAM LP that entered into a funding agreement with Andrada to develop the Brandberg West copper, tungsten, and tin project in Namibia.