Andrada Mining has confirmed high-grade lithium mineralisation outside the main Lithium Ridge trend in Namibia, opening additional exploration targets as the company and lithium major SQM continue drilling the project.
The latest results, representing the fifth batch of assays from the programme, include a standout intersection of 34.90 metres grading 1.02% lithium oxide (Li₂O) from a depth of 184.42 metres in drill hole LRD045. Within that interval was a higher-grade section of 6.22 metres at 1.67% Li₂O.
Andrada said the results confirm substantial down-dip continuity and structural thickening of pegmatite swarms at Lithium Ridge, while drilling has also demonstrated that mineralisation extends beyond the project’s established main trend.
Three holes — LRD064, LRD066 and LRD072 — intersected consistent high-grade mineralisation in a newly identified pegmatite outside the Lithium Ridge trendline.
LRD072 returned 14.25 metres at 1.42% Li₂O from 38.95 metres, including 8.23 metres grading 1.61% Li₂O. LRD066 intersected 11.35 metres at 1.16% Li₂O, including 4.64 metres at 1.79%, while LRD064 returned 11.12 metres at 1.11% Li₂O, including four metres at 1.73%.
The results provide drilling confirmation for targets where earlier grab sampling had indicated lithium potential, showing that the newly identified pegmatites continue below surface and retain significant lithium grades.
Andrada chief executive Anthony Viljoen said the latest drilling showed that the company was still determining the full extent of Lithium Ridge.
“This fifth batch of results demonstrates the presence of high-grade intersections confirming that we are still uncovering the full potential of the Lithium Ridge licence,” Viljoen said.
“Multiple pegmatites in this batch have returned intersections exceeding 1.5% Li₂O. 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.”
The fifth batch comprises results from 23 drill holes that successfully intersected mineralisation, with lithium recorded from near surface to depths of as much as 275 metres.
Among the other significant results, LRD060 intersected 10.66 metres at 1.13% Li₂O from just 0.90 metres below surface, including 4.79 metres at 2.04% Li₂O.
LRD042 returned nine metres at 1.64% Li₂O from 63.83 metres, including 5.44 metres at 1.84%. Another interval in the same hole returned 9.89 metres grading 1.28% Li₂O.
LRD063 recorded 16.43 metres at 1.07% Li₂O, while LRD056 returned 5.41 metres at 1.18%, including 4.31 metres grading 1.46%.
The drilling is being conducted under Andrada’s Stage 1 earn-in agreement with SQM International, the Chilean lithium producer that is funding exploration as part of its strategic partnership with Andrada.
The results also reinforce the polymetallic character of Lithium Ridge. Tin and tantalum occur alongside lithium throughout a number of the pegmatites, raising the possibility that more than one mineral could eventually contribute to project revenues.
Among the reported intersections was 0.25 metres grading 1.03% tin and 227 parts per million tantalum in LRD061, while LRD074 returned 0.95 metres at 0.57% tin. LRD045 contained a 0.36-metre interval grading 604ppm tantalum.
Andrada said the potential production of several commodities could improve the economics and effective cost position of a future operation, although this remains subject to further metallurgical testing and economic evaluation.
Spodumene remains the principal lithium-bearing mineral identified in the drilling.
Not every hole produced significant mineralisation. Six holes — LRD058, LRD065, LRD076, LRD082, LRD095 and LRD101 — either failed to intersect significant pegmatites or returned intervals below Andrada’s minimum reporting thresholds.
The company said those holes remain useful because they help establish the boundaries of the mineralised pegmatites and refine the three-dimensional geological model needed for future resource delineation.
The latest results therefore serve two purposes for Andrada and SQM: strengthening evidence for continuity within the established Lithium Ridge system while providing drilling confirmation that mineralised pegmatites extend into areas outside the main trend.
Andrada said the additional targets will be investigated during the next stage of the project’s development.
