Andrada Mining Launches Exploration Drilling at Namibia’s Lithium Ridge with SQM Investment
Aim-listed Andrada Mining has commenced exploration drilling at its Lithium Ridge project in Namibia, in partnership with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM) through its subsidiary SQM Australia. This marks a key milestone in the first stage of the companies’ earn-in agreement.
Under this initial stage, SQM will fund up to $7 million in exploration to secure an initial 30% interest in the project.
Across the full three-stage earn-in agreement, Andrada may fund up to $40 million in exploration activities at Lithium Ridge.
CEO Anthony Viljoen described the start of drilling as a major step in unlocking one of Namibia’s most promising lithium opportunities.
“Historical results of up to 2.13% lithium oxide (Li₂O) along the 6 km ridge are being complemented by new geological mapping and sampling, which has identified additional mineralised pegmatites containing visible spodumene crystals,” Viljoen said.
“This strengthens our confidence in the scale and quality of the project. SQM’s investment highlights Lithium Ridge’s potential and Namibia’s growing role in the global supply of critical minerals.
We expect this programme to lay the groundwork for fast-tracking the project towards development.”
The Lithium Ridge mining licence is located 35 km from Andrada’s producing Uis tin mine and hosts multiple high-priority lithium-bearing pegmatites, with associated tin and tantalum credits.
The current programme will unlock the full potential of the ridge and extend exploration across the wider licence area, where new spodumene-bearing pegmatites have been identified.
The 14,000-meter diamond drilling campaign will comprise approximately 120 orientated holes to determine depth extensions and continuity of the extensive surface mineralisation.
Historical work at Lithium Ridge reported grades of up to 2.13% Li₂O, with metallurgical spodumene recoveries of up to 80%, producing a premium 6.8% Li₂O concentrate with low iron levels from reverse circulation drill chip samples.
Andrada expects the new drilling programme to significantly enhance geological understanding of Lithium Ridge and demonstrate its economic potential as a large-scale, high-quality lithium project.
- Andrada Mining Initiates Exploration Drilling at Lithium Ridge: The company has begun drilling activities at the Lithium Ridge project in Namibia, marking a significant milestone in their partnership with SQM and advancing their exploration efforts.
- Investment and Progress in Lithium Ridge Project: SQM has committed up to $7 million in the initial phase to secure a 30% stake, with plans for total exploration funding of up to $40 million over three stages.
- Significance of Drilling and Project Potential: Drilling aims to explore deeper mineralisation, with historical results showing high lithium grades and promising geological features, supporting the project’s potential.
- Geological and Mineralogical Context of Lithium Ridge: Located near Andrada’s Uis tin mine, Lithium Ridge hosts multiple lithium-bearing pegmatites, with recent sampling revealing additional mineralised zones and spodumene crystals.
- Planned Drilling Campaign and Expected Outcomes: A 14,000-meter diamond drill campaign will include about 120 holes to assess the depth and continuity of mineralisation, aiming to demonstrate the project’s scale and economic viability.
