Andrada Mining Limited has intersected lithium grades of up to 3.02% Li₂O at its Lithium Ridge project in Namibia.
This confirms continuity of mineralisation from surface to depths of up to 160 metres and highlights significant tin and tantalum by-product potential from the company’s inaugural diamond drilling programme.
The results come from the first batch of drilling completed under the Stage 1 exploration programme at Lithium Ridge, which is being advanced in partnership with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile through its subsidiary SQM Australia.
The programme forms part of an earn-in agreement under which SQM may earn a 30% interest in the project.
Drilling has intersected consistent lithium mineralisation in most of the holes reported, with standout results including 9.63 metres at 2.12% Li₂O from 36.66 metres in hole LRD003, including a higher-grade interval of 5.74 metres at 3.02% Li₂O.
Hole LRD010 returned 24.44 metres at 1.38% Li₂O from 55.44 metres, including 14.57 metres at 1.73% Li₂O, while hole LRD011 intersected 16.81 metres at 1.51% Li₂O from 68.30 metres.
The drilling has also confirmed compelling polymetallic upside, with notable tin and tantalum intersections including 2.57 metres at 1.98% tin and 227 ppm tantalum in hole LRD001, and 0.89 metres at 1.33% tin and 247 ppm tantalum in hole LRD011.
Andrada said these associated metals are considered indicative of lithium-bearing pegmatites and could enhance future project economics.
The Stage 1 programme commenced in August 2025 and is designed to include approximately 14,000 metres of oriented diamond drilling across 120 planned holes.
The results reported to date are from the first 15 holes, totalling 1,328 metres of drilling and 496 samples submitted for analysis.
All reported intersections represent apparent widths, as drilling was completed at inclined angles.
Spodumene has been visually identified as the primary lithium mineral within the pegmatites, with mineralisation extending from the surface and remaining open at depth.
Andrada said drilling is continuing on schedule, with regular updates expected as further assay results are received and additional pegmatites are identified through ongoing geological mapping.
