Andrada Mining has intersected 24.08 metres grading 2% lithium oxide at its Lithium Ridge project in Namibia, delivering one of the strongest results from the completed drilling programme being funded and developed in partnership with global lithium producer SQM.
The high-grade section was recorded in drill hole LRD097 from a depth of 233.04 metres and formed part of a broader 35.59-metre intersection grading 1.52% lithium oxide between 231.80 metres and 267.39 metres.
Andrada said the fourth batch of results, covering another 14 diamond-drill holes, confirmed that the lithium-bearing pegmatites continued along strike and at depth, with associated tin and tantalum mineralisation also present across the holes.
Another significant result came from LRD093, which intersected 30.24 metres grading 1.23% lithium oxide from 125.18 metres, including 9.65 metres at 1.83%.
Hole LRD054 returned 10.93 metres grading 0.67% lithium oxide from 75.06 metres, including 2.03 metres at 1.93%, while LRD036 intersected 6.67 metres at 1.11% from 29.05 metres, including 4.23 metres grading 1.62%.
Andrada chief executive Anthony Viljoen said the 24.08-metre high-grade intersection had strengthened the company’s assessment of the project’s scale and grade.
“Once again, these exceptional drill results confirm the world-class potential of our Lithium Ridge asset, which we are developing in tandem with our partners SQM. Intersecting over 24 metres at 2.00% Li₂O in drill hole LRD097 is a milestone achievement that fundamentally enhances the scale and grade profile of the asset, showing continued potential at depth,” Viljoen said.
The result is significant because it shows that lithium mineralisation extends beyond the shallow and surface occurrences previously identified along Lithium Ridge. LRD097 encountered its wider mineralised section more than 230 metres below the surface, while the other reported holes returned mineralisation at varying depths.
Andrada cautioned that the reported intersections represented apparent widths rather than the true thickness of the pegmatites because the boreholes were drilled at inclined angles. Further geological modelling will be required to determine their actual orientation and thickness.
The drilling campaign was designed to test the down-dip continuity and grade distribution of pegmatite swarms previously identified through geological mapping and surface-channel sampling.
Spodumene, one of the principal minerals used in hard-rock lithium production, was visually identified as the main lithium-bearing mineral in the drill core. Laboratory analysis was conducted independently using quarter-core samples, with SA Labs Ithuba responsible for pulverisation and homogenisation before sending the prepared samples to Uis Analytical Services for chemical analysis.
The latest results follow an expanded drilling programme covering approximately 16 500 metres across 143 holes. The programme was increased by 18% from its original scope after earlier drilling returned consistent lithium mineralisation from the surface to depth. Andrada’s drilling update
The drill results also confirmed tin and tantalum within the same pegmatites, potentially allowing Lithium Ridge to produce more than one saleable mineral from the ore.
Hole LRD041 intersected 7.49 metres grading 0.44% tin and 134 parts per million tantalum, providing the most prominent example of the associated mineralisation in the latest batch.
Viljoen said the presence of both metals could provide an economic advantage over projects that depend entirely on lithium revenue.
“The persistent presence of high-grade tin and tantalum co-products, such as the 0.44% tin intersection over 7.49 metres in hole LRD041 indicates an economic advantage that sets Andrada apart from single-commodity lithium developers,” he said.
“These polymetallic credits have the potential to significantly reduce overall operating costs, validating our aggressive exploration focus and ultimately reinforcing Namibia’s position as a premier critical metal jurisdiction.”
The extent to which tin and tantalum could reduce operating costs will depend on the recoverable quantities, processing performance, product specifications and future commodity prices. The drilling results alone do not establish a mineral resource, reserve or commercially viable mining operation.
Lithium Ridge covers approximately 3 300 hectares and is situated about 35 kilometres from Andrada’s operating Uis tin mine. Andrada has said the mineralisation may suit its processing expertise at Uis, although it has not yet finalised a development configuration.
The project is advancing through a three-stage earn-in agreement under which SQM may acquire up to 50% of the company holding the Lithium Ridge licence by funding exploration and development work.
SQM may earn an initial 30% interest by funding up to US$7 million during the first stage, followed by another 10% through US$13 million in additional expenditure. Andrada may earn the final 10% by carrying out a definitive feasibility study or by taking cumulative expenditure to US$40 million. Andrada interim results
The remaining assay results will be used to refine the geological model and assess the continuity, scale and grade of the mineralised pegmatites before Andrada and SQM determine the next technical work required to move Lithium Ridge towards resource definition and possible development.
