By:Staff Reporter
AfriTin Mining Ltd reported record monthly output from its Uis mine last November and said the production ramp-up under its Phase 1 expansion plans is on track for completion by end of January 2023.
Last November was the first month of production after commissioning of the expanded crushing and tin concentrating circuits were completed in October.
AfriTin produced 88 tonnes of tin concentrate (containing 53 tonnes of tin) in November, exceeding its ramp-up target of 73 tonnes by 20%.
“We believe the expanded production capacity will significantly increase revenue and reduce unit costs, thereby improving the margin and sustainability of the operation,” chief executive Anthony Viljoensaid.
The operating unit cost for November was 14% lower than the average monthly unit cost for the six months to end-August 2022.
The company produced 145 tonnes of tin concentrate in its third quarter to end-November 2022, down 32% on the preceding quarter due to a planned five-week processing plant shutdown to complete the construction and commissioning of the expanded crushing and tin concentrating circuits.
The Phase 1 expansion project at Uis is targeting an increase in production from about 780 tonnes per annum to 1 200 tonnes per year of tin concentrate.
AfriTin, which is also fast tracking the development of separate lithium and tantalum products alongside its existing tin production, said its lithium pilot plant and tantalum separation circuit is under construction and on track for commissioning in the second quarter of 2023.
“We look forward to realising the full polymetallic potential of the Uis deposit,” Viljoensaid.
Meanwhile, alithium laboratory test work at the Uis mine has produced a high-grade, ultra-low iron lithium petalite concentrate at 4.34% lithium oxide and low contaminants levels, the companysaid.
“The excellent laboratory test result of a high-grade, ultra-low iron petalite gives us the confidence to advance to the pilot phase of our lithium product development programme,” Viljoensaid in a statement.
The company has started larger, pilot-scale lithium metallurgical testing, which will also produce samples for potential off-takers, with first results expected in the first quarter of 2023.
AfriTin said discussions have already been initiated with potential lithium petalite concentrate off-takers.
“We look forward to establishing production of lithium petalite concentrate and initiating testing with potential off-takers in the glassware and ceramics market, for whom petalite is a key raw material, as well as with producers of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate for the battery market,” Viljoensaid.
Test work to convert the lithium petalite concentrate to battery-grade lithium hydroxide has been initiated with Nagrom, one of Australia’s leading mineral processing companies, said AfriTin, adding that the first results from this laboratory metallurgical test work are expected in the third quarter of 2023.
AfriTin said it also plans to build a full-scale tantalum separation circuit to produce a tantalum concentrate by-product from existing tin output.
The integrated tantalum separation circuit is progressing to construction phase, with long lead items ordered and construction set to complete in the second quarter of 2023, said the AIM-traded miner, adding that first production of tantalum concentrate is expected by the third quarter of 2023.
On Wednesday, the company confirmed the name change from AfriTin Mining Limited to Andrada Mining Limited to reflect the company’s expanding lithium and tantalum resources alongside its existing tin production.
Viljoencommented: “I am delighted to confirm the company’s change of name and we look forward to rebranding as Andrada Mining. The company’s potential lithium resource size in Namibia is extremely exciting, and the change of name reflects the importance of it within our growing production profile, beyond our existing tin operation. We look to the future with huge excitement as Andrada Mining plays its part in the energy transition.”
The company also expects to announce an updated lithium and tantalum mineral resource estimate in the first quarter of this year.
“We are excited to see our lithium product development programme progress on three fronts, namely updating the mineral resource estimate, commencement of lithium pilot-scale metallurgical testing, and taking the first steps to explore commercial engagements for lithium petalite concentrate offtake.
“We believe that the addition of lithium and tantalum by-products will confirm the company as a globally significant, high-margin producer of technology metals,” Viljoen said.