Andrada Mining reports that it processed 254,745 tonnes of tin, representing a 7% year-over-year increase and a 4% quarter-over-quarter increase during the period ended May 31, 2025.
The plant enhancements implemented under the Continuous Improvement 2 programme, notably the modifications to the Dense Media Separation circuit and the installation of new shaking tables, drove the improvement.
Processing throughput rose to an average of 142 tonnes per hour for the quarter, reflecting gains in operational efficiency attributed to the CI2 initiatives.
The average feedstock grade was 0.136% tin, which is 4% lower year-over-year, primarily due to the use of blended ore.
The grade, however, showed a 2% improvement over Q4 FY2025. Despite the slightly lower grade year-over-year, the increased ore throughput contributed to an 11% year-over-year and 7% quarter-over-quarter increase in tin concentrate production, reaching 405 tonnes for the quarter.
As a result, contained tin production increased to 238 tonnes.
The plant’s utilisation rate improved, mainly due to reduced maintenance-related downtime and further efficiency gains achieved through the CI2 programme.
The work plan and budget for the Stage 1 development of Lithium Ridge have been finalised, triggering the drawdown of the US$7 million funding facility to support extensive exploration and drilling activities.
The company began exploring Lithium Ridge in May, following the earn-in agreement with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA through its subsidiary, SQM Australia (Pty) Ltd.
Tantalum operations delivered a notable improvement in performance during the quarter, driven by a higher feed grade and the reprocessing of off-specification material. As a result, approximately 12 tonnes of concentrate with 1.4 tonnes of contained tantalum were produced.
Of this, 10 tonnes of concentrate were shipped to Afrimet during the period, reflecting ongoing offtake execution and consistent production delivery.
Andrada Mining CEO Anthony Viljoen says the company continues to demonstrate strong operational momentum and strategic progress across all areas of the business, reinforcing its role as a key enabler in the development of Namibia’s critical minerals sector.
Viljoen says these modifications resulted in increased processing rates and tin production, underscoring the growing efficiency and reliability of our operations.
“The output of our increasingly valuable byproduct, tantalum, improved notably, reinforcing our multi-mineral offering.
“Operational cost performance improved overall, driven by ongoing proactive cost-reduction initiatives that are expected to enhance cashflows over the year,” Viljoen says.
Viljoen says this includes the completion of a group-wide corporate restructuring, which is expected to rationalise the cost base further and strengthen overall profitability.
‘Construction of the new jig plant is progressing well, with the front-end crushing circuit having been delivered to Uis and the fabrication of key components underway,” Viljoen says.
He says Andrada Mining remains focused on operational excellence, disciplined capital deployment, and the strategic development of our diversified portfolio of critical minerals.
