Andrada Mining has identified multiple surface samples grading above 4% lithium oxide, with a peak value of 4.67% Li₂O, at its Lithium Ridge project in Namibia, confirming the presence of a high-grade lithium system as exploration drilling advances.
The AIM-listed tin producer said comprehensive geological mapping and grab sampling across the Lithium Ridge licence area, undertaken in partnership with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA through its subsidiary SQM Australia, returned exceptional lithium grades and validated the scale of mineralisation ahead of ongoing drilling.
The surface work supports Andrada’s Stage 1 drilling programme, which SQM is funding under an earn-in agreement that allows the Chilean group to acquire a 30% interest in the project. High-grade laboratory results were recorded across multiple pegmatite bodies along the mineralised trend, reinforcing Lithium Ridge’s footprint and upside potential.
In addition to lithium, the programme confirmed significant polymetallic mineralisation. Individual samples returned tin grades of up to 3.12% Sn and tantalum values of up to 905 parts per million, highlighting the potential for by-product credits that could enhance future project economics.
Spodumene has been confirmed as the primary lithium-bearing mineral, consistent with earlier drilling and sampling programmes. Visual identification of lithium minerals, supported by handheld Raman spectroscopy, indicates that mineralisation extends well beyond the areas initially targeted.
Chief executive officer Anthony Viljoen said the results provide strong validation of Lithium Ridge’s quality and scale. “Surface samples returning lithium grades in excess of 4% Li₂O, together with the confirmation of spodumene as the primary lithium mineral, reinforces our view that Lithium Ridge hosts a large, high-quality lithium system,” Viljoen said.
“The presence of meaningful tin and tantalum grades alongside the lithium mineralisation highlights the polymetallic nature of the project and its capacity to deliver by-product credits that could enhance future project economics,” he said.
Viljoen said Lithium Ridge demonstrates the broader regional upside within Andrada’s portfolio, even as expansion activities continue at the company’s flagship Uis mine. He said the company is looking forward to receiving the first assay results from the Stage 1 drilling programme, which is advancing on schedule.
The mapping and sampling programme systematically covered the entire licence area, with more than 1,500 outcropping pegmatites mapped to date. Of the 496 grab samples analysed so far, 115 returned grades above 1% Li₂O, including 83 samples grading above 2% Li₂O. A further 156 samples returned tin grades above 0.1%, while 165 samples recorded tantalum values above 75 ppm.
The results confirm ore-grade lithium potential across numerous pegmatites that had not previously been drilled or sampled, and demonstrate that many of these bodies host significant tin and tantalum mineralisation.
Sampling was conducted by qualified geological teams, with locations recorded using handheld GPS devices. Sample preparation was completed at SA Labs Ithuba, with geochemical analysis undertaken at UIS Analytical Services. Lithium and major elements were analysed using sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-OES, while tin, tantalum and trace elements were determined using lithium borate fusion with ICP-MS. Andrada said quality assurance and quality control procedures were reviewed and found to be compliant.
The Stage 1 drilling programme commenced in the third quarter of 2025 and includes approximately 14,000 metres of oriented core drilling across about 120 drill holes. A third diamond drill rig was mobilised to the site in November 2025 to accelerate progress.
The technical data has been reviewed by Professor Laurence Robb, a non-executive director of Andrada, who has more than 30 years’ experience in exploration and economic geology and acts as the Competent Person for the reporting of exploration results.
