London- and Namibia-listed technology metals mining company Andrada Mining has found consistent lithium oxide (Li₂O), tantalum and tin mineralisation in the assay results for its inaugural drill programme at the Spodumene Hill project in Namibia.

The project encompasses the B1 and C1 pegmatites located within the ML129 mining licence.

During the drilling campaign, all drill holes encountered mineralised pegmatites, suggesting a consistent presence of valuable minerals at deeper levels.

Notable pegmatite intersections were observed in specific drill holes, such as B1_01, which showed a 14.52 m segment from 15.48 m to 30 m, containing 1.38% Li₂O, 285 ppm tantalum and 0.131% tin.

In addition, significant lithium intersections were identified, including a 5 m segment with 2.32% Li₂O starting from 18 m, and a 2.5 m segment with 2.04% Li₂O between 25.5 m and 28 m.

Another noteworthy drill hole, B1_09, revealed a 12.78 m section from 65.80 m to 78.58 m, containing 0.74% Li₂O, 181 ppm tantalum and 0.052% tin. Within this hole, a notable lithium intersection of 4.66 m was found at 73.66 m depth.

Similarly, in drill hole C1_04, an 11.06 m segment from 13.59 m to 24.65 m showed 0.81% Li₂O, 1 101 ppm tantalum and 0.033% tin. A significant lithium intersection of 3.65 m was discovered at 19.65 m.

The presence of high-grade lithium intersections indicates significant mineralisation of spodumene, a valuable lithium-bearing mineral. Additionally, these pegmatite intersections contain tantalum, which presents further potential as the tantalum concentration circuit approaches completion.

To optimise the beneficiation process, a metallurgical programme has been initiated to investigate the most effective techniques for extraction and processing of the mineral resources.

“These drill results provide an initial glimpse into the potential of the Spodumene Hill project. The identified high-grade lithium intersections within the pegmatite could be separated through ore sorting to provide a potentially high-grade pre-concentrate for the lithium processing plant,”  Andrada CEO Anthony Viljoen said on July 6.

He said the results showed the tantalum potential of this area and the relevance of the recently constructed tantalum recovery circuit.

Moreover, the proximity of the Spodumene Hill project to the existing operations provided an immediate opportunity for additional revenues from the project area by blending tantalum grades.

“The highlighted intersections provide a promising starting point for the next phase of exploration which will aim to define the extent of these zones both laterally and with depth. We have also initiated a metallurgical programme to investigate the optimal beneficiation process for the recovery of both lithium and tantalum, whilst also producing tin as a by-product,” Viljoen said.