Andrada to transform Namibian lithium production

African technology metals mining company Andrada Mining, which has its roots in exploring the rich geologies of southern Africa, is poised to become a pivotal player in the global lithium supply chain, driven by burgeoning demand for critical minerals-intensive electric vehicles (EVs) and semiconductors.

Speaking at this year’s Junior Indaba in May, CEO Anthony Viljoen said Namibia’s unique geological formations have “positioned it as a hotspot for mineral exploration”. The company’s focus on Namibia, he added, is not just owing to the country’s rich mineral deposits, but also because of its strategic importance in the global shift towards renewable energy and technology-driven industries.

He explained that the geology of Namibia, particularly regarding the pegmatite belts, offers a promising source of lithium.

“These belts run for hundreds of kilometres, offering a scalable and extensive resource that is critical for sustainable lithium production. Andrada Mining’s approach involves integrating these geological advantages with cutting-edge mining and processing technologies to maximise yield and efficiency,” elaborated Viljoen.

Significant driver

He pointed out that the transition towards EVs is a significant driver of this demand, with lithium-ion batteries being central to EV technology.

“There’s no substitute for lithium-ion batteries. So, at least in the next 10 years, we’re going to see lithium production remain critical,” Viljoen explained.

Furthermore, the semiconductor industry’s reliance on critical materials such as lithium is another major factor, as the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computing is creating unprecedented demand for semiconductors, which in turn drives the need for a stable supply of high-purity lithium. “The biggest story is semiconductors,” Viljoen said, highlighting the sector’s influence on Andrada’s strategic focus.

However, despite the promising outlook, the company’s journey has not been without challenges. “Once you build the plant, you’re expecting it to come online straight away. There were some deep, dark days burning through cash,” he recalled of difficulties during the initial stages of plant construction and subsequent operational hurdles.

Exploring tech

According to the CEO, Andrada is also exploring advanced pre-concentration and sorting technologies to enhance productivity and reduce costs for the project. “We are looking to introduce more innovative technology into a cheaper concentration pre-concentration."

One of the key areas of innovation is within the processing plant, which the company has developed to handle the variability in ore grades available at the project.

The plant’s design ensures that both heavier and lighter mineral fractions are efficiently processed, reducing waste and improving overall recovery rates.

Viljoen also highlighted that sustainability is at the core of Andrada’s operations.

The company focuses on attaining and maintaining a low environmental footprint, achieved through gravity-based separation processes that are less harmful to the environment than traditional chemical methods. This approach aligns with global trends towards greener and more sustainable mining practices, according to Andrada.

Transition

In addition to their environmental initiatives, the company is also committed to local development and community engagement. Its projects in Namibia are creating jobs and fostering skills development, contributing to the broader socioeconomic growth of the region.

Looking ahead, Andrada aims to transition from a junior miner to a mid-tier player, leveraging its Namibian projects to build a robust portfolio of critical materials.

“We are driving a vision to keep growing bigger and to become the next mid-tier miner emerging out of Africa,” asserted Viljoen, underscoring Andrada’s long-term ambitions.

Andrada currently has four projects underway in Namibia, including the Uis tin mine, which is benefitted with significant by-product deposits of lithium and tantalum. The Lithium Ridge project targets the same minerals, covers 3 300 hectares and is located about 35 kilometres from the Uis mine; while Spodumene Hill, targeting lithium, tin and tantalum, covers a 4 900-hectare licence area and falls within 15 kilometres of the Uis mine. Brandberg West, a largely under-explored area, covers 35 000 hectares and targets tin, tungsten and copper.