Tin miner Andrada boosts production by 17%
Ogone TlhageAndrada Mining has reported a 17% increase in tin production following the successful launch of a new processing facility at its Namibian mine, positioning the company as a major player in the global tin market.
The London-listed miner processed 273 000 tonnes of ore in the latest quarter, up 12% from the same period last year, while also improving efficiency across its operations.
The company’s Uis mine now operates at 96% capacity, compared with 93% a year ago.
The standout achievement was the commissioning of the new jig plant on time and within budget at the end of August. The facility is designed to extract more tin from processed ore while reducing operational costs – a combination management expects will drive value for shareholders.
“This quarter reflects another period of robust operational performance, underscoring Andrada’s emergence as one of the pre-eminent producers in the international tin market,” the company said in a statement.
The miner’s improved performance stems from better extraction rates and higher processing speeds. Recovery rates – the percentage of tin successfully extracted from ore – rose to 73% from 69% in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, the processing plant now handles 144 tonnes of ore per hour, up from 130 tonnes per hour last year.
These operational improvements resulted in 453 tonnes of tin concentrate production for the quarter, marking a 17% year-on-year increase and 12% quarter-on-quarter growth.
For the first half of the financial year, Andrada produced 858 tonnes of tin concentrate – 14% more than in the comparable period last year – demonstrating what the company calls “the sustainability of its growth trajectory.”
Beyond the new jig plant, Andrada continues to invest in operational upgrades through its continuous improvement programme. Completion of a filter press is scheduled for the end of the third quarter and is expected to further enhance efficiency and production capabilities.