Namibia-focused Andrada Mining has reported positive tungsten, copper and tin test results at the Brandberg West project, demonstrating a strong grade uplift, high metal recoveries and significant mass reduction, thereby highlighting the potential for a lower-cost and more efficient route to production.

The initial testwork forms part of a multiphase assessment programme at Brandberg West that includes evaluating the tailings and waste material from the historical mine and an exploration drilling programme.

High recoveries were achieved for both tungsten and tin, with tungsten recoveries reaching up to 91% and tin recoveries up to 94%, while a 90% mass reduction points to the potential for lower capital expenditure and an accelerated route to production.

Andrada has reported a grade uplift across all nine test samples, with significant grade increases from the feed to the concentrate owing to the ore sorting. Tungsten has increased from 0.24% to 1.45%, copper from 0.73% to 2.81% and tin from 0.31% to 2.09%.

“These results represent an important validation milestone in highlighting the economic potential of tungsten as a key critical mineral at the Brandberg West project, particularly against the backdrop of exceptionally strong commodity prices.

“The grades achieved in this testwork on the historically mined waste dumps are significantly higher than the global average for tungsten deposits with correspondending high recovery rates,” Andrada CEO Anthony Viljoen comments.

“This outcome reinforces our confidence as we advance toward larger-scale test batches and firmly positions tungsten as a cornerstone critical metal within Andrada’s overall portfolio,” he adds

On the validation of polymetallic efficiency, the sensor-based X-ray transmission ore sorting technology has demonstrated the ability to effectively identify and separate multiple target elements concurrently, confirming the potential to produce a high-value polymetallic concentrate.

This testwork is being advanced under the staged earn-in agreement with natural resources investor ACAM-affiliated special purpose vehicle BWCAM.

Under the terms of the agreement, BWCAM could provide up to 49% ownership of the project, and the current phase of the agreement aims to evaluate all the historical streams which include waste, plant discard and tailings, as well as hard rock material within the existing pit.