Name of the Project
Uis tin mine Phase 1 expansion project.

Location
Namibia.

Project Owner/s
Tin mining company AfriTin Mining.

Project Description
A definitive feasibility study (DFS) has confirmed the feasibility of expanding the current Phase 1 processing plant, resulting in a 67% increase in tin concentrate production from 720 t/y to 1 200 t/y.

The DFS proposes enhancements to the current processing plant, which will result in a modular expansion of the existing crushing circuit to increase ore throughput by 50%. It also proposes the upgrade of the existing concentrator circuit to accommodate the increased crushed ore feed tonnage and increase projected overall tin recovery target from the current 60% to 64%.

The detailed upgrades include:

• the addition of a crusher and screen between the primary jaw crusher and the fines crushing section;

• the addition of a buffer stockpile between the crushing and concentrating sections;

• the increase of the water rejection capacity in the dense-medium separation (DMS) 1 section;

• combining the dense-medium circuits of DMS 2 and DMS 3 to improve operability and stability;

• converting the DMS 2 floats recrush circuit into a closed circuit by adding a classification screen;

• additional spirals to reprocess middlings; and

• the relocation of product handling infrastructure and the installation of an additional shaking table for improved processing capacity. The existing shaking tables will be replaced with Holman tables for higher separation efficiency.

The DFS is based on a tin-only basis and currently excludes tantalum and lithium concentrate as potential by-products – these commodities are being investigated by AfriTin’s metallurgical testwork programme.

The Uis mine has proven and probable reserves of 15.61-million tonnes grading 0.14% tin for 21 536 t of contained metal.

Potential Job Creation
The project will be complemented by the appoint­ment of a skilled and experienced project management and construction management team to reduce implementation time and limit project implementation risks.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a net present value of $12.1-million and an internal rate of return of 54%, with a payback of 2.4 years.

Capital Expenditure
The project is estimated at $5.7-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The company aims to complete the expansion by the second quarter of next year.

Latest Developments
AfriTin Mining has entered into a £4.5-million five-year loan agreement with Standard Bank Namibia to fund the Phase 1 expansion of its processing plant at the Uis tin mine.

AfriTin has said that the agreement with Standard Bank Namibia not only secures a financing partner for the Phase 1 processing plant but also longer-term Phase 2 development plans. 

The financing, together with a £13-million equity raise that the company recently undertook, positions AfriTin well for increasing tin production and unlocking lithium- and tantalum-related opportunities.

Moreover, the intention is that Standard Bank will take over AfriTin’s existing short-term banking facilities of £2.2-million with Nedbank Namibia.

The companies have also discussed Standard Bank’s providing AfriTin with a £245 500 guarantee for Namibia Power Corporation as a deposit for the supply of electrical power to the mine.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Minxcon (DFS).

Contact Details for Project Information
AfriTin Mining, tel +27 11 268 6555.