Andrada Mining Limited has reported a 90% mass reduction and a 5.8 times increase in tungsten grade from 0.24% to 1.45%, alongside recoveries of up to 91%, in initial ore-sorting testwork at its Brandberg West project in Namibia.
The company said the results, based on nine grab samples, also showed tin grades rising from 0.31% to 2.09% and copper from 0.73% to 2.81%, confirming the polymetallic potential of the historical mining area.
Andrada, which already operates the Uis tin mine, is advancing Brandberg West as part of a broader strategy to expand its portfolio of critical minerals, including tin, tungsten and copper.
“These results represent an important validation milestone in highlighting the economic potential of tungsten as a key critical metal at the Brandberg West project,” chief executive Anthony Viljoen said.
He added that the grades achieved from historical waste dumps are “significantly higher than the global average for tungsten deposits with corresponding high recovery rates,” reinforcing confidence in the project’s development potential.
The initial programme focused on material from previously mined waste and blast rock, indicating that discard and tailings could be brought into production more quickly due to their availability at the surface.
The testwork used sensor-based X-ray transmission (XRT) ore sorting technology, which the company said successfully identified and separated multiple metals simultaneously, producing high-value concentrate streams.
Beyond grade improvements, the 90% reduction in material volume is expected to lower transport and processing costs, potentially accelerating the route to production.
Brandberg West, located on EPL 5445, has historically been known for its tin, tungsten and copper mineralisation but remained underdeveloped.
The current testwork forms part of a multi-phase programme that includes evaluating historical waste, tailings and in-pit material, alongside planned drilling.
Andrada is advancing the project under a staged earn-in agreement with ACAM LP affiliate BWCAM Limited, which could invest up to US$51 million to earn up to a 49% stake in the project.
The company said larger-scale bulk sampling is planned to provide more representative results, as the initial 30kg grab samples are not sufficient to reflect average grades across the deposit.
The results position tungsten as a potential cornerstone metal at Brandberg West, amid strong global demand for critical minerals used in industrial and energy applications.
