Andrada Mining begins lithium drilling at Lithium Ridge with SQM

Andrada Mining Limited, a critical minerals producer in Namibia, has begun exploration drilling at its Lithium Ridge project in collaboration with SQM Australia (Pty) Ltd. This marks a key milestone in their earn-in agreement, where SQM will fund up to US$7 million in exploration to secure an initial 30% interest, with potential total funding of up to US$40 million across three stages.

The exploration program includes 14,000 metres of orientated diamond drilling on priority lithium targets. High-resolution geological mapping and sampling have already identified new pegmatites with visible spodumene mineralisation, building on historical results of up to 2.13% Li₂O along a 6 km mineralised ridgeline.

According to chief executive Anthony Viljoen, this program is expected to establish the foundation for fast-tracking the project's development, underscoring Lithium Ridge's potential and Namibia's growing role in the global supply of critical minerals.