Andrada Mining Targets 2028–2029 Lithium Ridge Production

Andrada Mining is accelerating development of its Lithium Ridge Project in Namibia, with the company targeting production by 2028–2029 following completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS). According to several media reports, CEO Anthony Viljoen said the company is prioritizing an aggressive drilling campaign alongside resource and reserve definition work before advancing to the DFS stage.

“There’s a lot of work that we want to accelerate and we do see that the lithium market is on its way up,” Viljoen says. He expects another market peak around 2028–2029 and wants Lithium Ridge to reach full production before demand strengthens further.

Lithium prices have recently climbed above ¥153,000 ($31,759) per tonne, reaching their highest level of the year as stronger demand offsets a period of supply relief. Trading Economics reported that lithium prices gained 8.56% over the past month and nearly doubled, rising 99%, compared with the same period last year.

The 3,300-hectare Lithium Ridge Project contains pegmatites mineralized with lithium, tin, and tantalum. Viljoen describes the discovery as an “incredible discovery” developed from a former tin-mining area. Andrada’s strategy initially focused on consolidating historical tin mines, where exploration subsequently identified significant lithium mineralization.

The company has identified a 6-km ridge containing high-grade spodumene and considers the discovery potentially one of the most significant lithium discoveries in Southern Africa in recent years.

Last week, Andrada received its fourth batch of diamond drilling results, confirming high-grade lithium mineralization extending along strike and at depth. Results included 35.59 meters at 1.52% lithium oxide (Li2O), including 24.08 meters at 2% Li2O. Another intercept returned 30.24 meters at 1.23% Li2O, including 9.65 meters at 1.83% Li2O.

The company is also expanding its nearby Uis tin operation, which spans 19,700 hectares and contains pegmatites hosting lithium, tin, tantalum, and rubidium. Andrada expects to double tin production while incorporating lithium into the processing circuit.

During FY2026, ore processed rose 8% to 1.04 million tonnes, while tin concentrate production increased 15% to 1,740 tonnes. Revenue climbed 34% to £30.1 million, while EBITDA improved to £3.3 million from £500,000.

Meanwhile, Brandberg West, another Namibian asset, is being fast-tracked with ACAM LP through a staged US$51 million investment covering exploration, metallurgical testing, resource definition, and DFS completion. The partnership could provide ACAM with up to a 49% ownership stake.

Product and Chemical Commodity Price Impact

Andrada Mining’s accelerated Lithium Ridge development could strengthen long-term lithium supply expectations, particularly if drilling confirms the reported high-grade spodumene mineralization and the project achieves its 2028–2029 production target. In the near term, however, the project is unlikely to materially increase physical lithium supply because it remains in the exploration and feasibility stage. Positive drilling results could support lithium market sentiment and limit downside in lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide prices if demand continues to recover. For chemical commodities tracked by ChemAnalyst, the development could create a mildly bearish long-term effect on lithium chemical prices by improving future supply availability, while near-term prices may remain supported.