In a promising development for the African mining industry, Andrada Mining, a tin producer listed on both Aim and OTCQB, has reported significant advancements in its operational performance. CEO Anthony Viljoen shared exciting updates on March 31, revealing that the company’s continuous improvement program has led to processing rates soaring to an impressive 141 tonnes per hour (t/h), marking the highest efficiency achieved in the last five quarters. These milestones come as part of an operational update for the fourth quarter and for the fiscal year ending February 28.
During the fourth quarter of the 2025 financial year, Andrada Mining processed 244,314 tonnes of material, showcasing a slight increase from 238,022 tonnes in the same period the previous year. The full-year totals are equally encouraging, with a 5.4% rise in processed tonnes to 965,058 tonnes, compared to 915,599 tonnes a year prior.
Tin concentrate production was another bright spot, reaching 379 tonnes in the fourth quarter, a modest improvement from 371 tonnes in the same timeframe last year. Annual production figures also reflect growth, with an increase of 2.2% to 1,507 tonnes, up from 1,474 tonnes.
Encouraging trends continued with contained tin production, which saw a slight decrease to 228 tonnes in the fourth quarter, down from 231 tonnes in the prior year; however, year-on-year contained tin production increased by 5.1% to 932 tonnes, compared to 885 tonnes before.
Operational metrics improved across the board. The quarterly plant usage rose to 91% from the previous 89%, while full-year utilization improved to 89%, showcasing Andrada Mining’s commitment to operational excellence.
Looking at the pricing side, the company enjoyed a realized tin price of ,243 per tonne in the fourth quarter, significantly up from ,125 per tonne last year. For the entire financial year, prices rose by an impressive 21.4% to ,081 per tonne.
Additionally, Andrada Mining boosted its shipment numbers significantly, completing 17 shipments in the fourth quarter, compared to just 14 in the previous year, and wrapping up the fiscal year with a total of 59 shipments—a notable 11.3% increase year-on-year.
In a remarkable turnaround, tantalum concentrate production surged to 10.2 tonnes in the fourth quarter, more than doubling from 5.1 tonnes year-over-year. Looking at the annual figures, tantalum production skyrocketed over 100% to 50.6 tonnes.
Strategically, Andrada secured unconditional approval from the Namibia Competition Commission (NCC) for its SQM Australia three-stage earn-in agreement for the exciting development of the Lithium Ridge project. This approval enabled the company to receive the remaining .5 million from SQM in March, a significant boost for future endeavors. Furthermore, the company raised .5 million to fund a 100 t/h jig plant, aimed at enhancing tin production from local pegmatites.
On the cost front, Andrada reported a C1 cost of ,023 per tonne of contained tin for the 2025 financial year, which fell outside anticipated guidance but remained consistent with operational strategies. C2 costs and all-in sustaining costs also aligned well with guidance ranges, showcasing the company’s ability to manage expenses effectively.
As of February 28, Andrada’s unaudited cash balance stood at .9 million, excluding the recent .5 million from SQM.
In his closing remarks, Viljoen expressed pride in the company’s achievements, highlighting effective project progression and the exciting potential of the Lithium Ridge Project as integral to their long-term vision to expand into critical minerals production. With these solid developments, Andrada Mining continues to set a strong precedent for the future of the African mining sector.
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