The information contained within
this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside
information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU)
No. 596/2014 (MAR) as in force in the United Kingdom pursuant to
the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of
this announcement via Regulatory Information Service (RIS), this
inside information will be in the public domain.
Andrada Mining LimiteD
("Andrada" or the
"Company")
Andrada partners with SQM to
develop Lithium Ridge
Andrada Mining Limited (AIM: ATM, OTCQB: ATMTF), a critical
raw materials producer with mining and exploration assets in
Namibia, is pleased to announce that one of the world's largest
lithium chemicals producer, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA
through its subsidiary SQM
Australia (Pty) Ltd ("SQM"), has entered into a three stage
earn in agreement to partner with the Company in developing the
Lithium Ridge asset (ML133) (the
"Agreement"). The
Agreement is subject to conditions precedent, including the
Namibian Competition Commission approval, as detailed
below. The Company management believe that the approval will be
obtained, and a further announcement will be made at that
time.
Highlights
§ A new wholly owned
subsidiary of Uis Tin Mining Company Limited ("UTMC"), Grace Simba Investments (Pty)
Ltd ("GSI"), now holds the
Lithium Ridge mining licence.
§ The SQM Agreement
brings both the financial and technical capabilities required to
explore and develop Lithium Ridge.
§ Under the Agreement,
SQM can earn into GSI by solely funding both the exploration and,
in the future, a Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") at Lithium Ridge. The key
considerations and milestones contained in the Agreement
are:
− SQM
agrees to pay Andrada a US$500 000 participation fee on signing and
a further US$1.5 million upon satisfaction of conditions precedent
(as detailed below).
− SQM has
an option to invest US$20 million over three and a half years, in
different stages to earn a 40% ownership of GSI.
−
Subsequent funding of the DFS will enable SQM to attain up to
50% ownership in GSI.
§ Payment of a one-off
success fee will be payable by SQM should Andrada complete a
JORC (2012) compliant
Mineral Resources Estimation exceeding 40 million tonnes during the
third earn-in period. The fee will be calculated based on the
percentage of lithium oxide content in the resource.
§ Andrada will manage
and operate the project during the earn-in period.
§ Andrada and SQM will
create a joint development committee ("JDC") to oversee the development of
GSI. The JDC will be constituted of an equal
representation of members from SQM and Andrada
management.
§ The
Agreement enables Andrada shareholders and Namibian stakeholders to
benefit from the accelerated development of one of Andrada's
lithium assets.
Anthony Viljoen, Chief Executive Officer,
commented:
"We are
incredibly pleased to announce our partnership with SQM, a global
leader in the lithium industry and to be part of the first African
partnership that SQM has entered. This partnership solidifies
our belief in the Lithium Ridge asset as a potential world-class
resource, and further establishes Andrada as a multi-asset,
polymetallic explorer and miner. We believe this partnership also
significantly enhances the value of our entire asset portfolio.
Furthermore, partnering with SQM provides the ideal partner to
unlock the full potential of Lithium Ridge, while allowing
continuation of the development of Uis through our existing
financing relationships.
The SQM
partnership aligns perfectly with our strategic objectives,
enabling us to develop our neighbouring lithium asset, and to
accelerate exploration initiatives. The terms of this agreement
establish a long-term, value-creating relationship that
incentivises operational milestones and delivers sustained returns
for our shareholders. The introduction of a substantial player in
the global lithium market will also place Namibia at the forefront
of the African lithium development trajectory and unlock value for
the Namibian mining industry.
Mark Fones, SQM International Lithium division CEO,
commented:
"We are
excited to announce the completion of this agreement, which
confirms our commitment on finding the best lithium assets in the
world that efficiently diversify our portfolio. Namibia is among
the top mining jurisdictions in the region, and we are pleased to
begin exploration with a proven partner like Andrada
Mining."
Lithium Ridge Licence
The Company operates in the lithium rich Erongo
Region of Namibia and aims to develop a vertically integrated
industry within the country, in addition to its established tin and
tantalum production. In 2023, the Company successfully commenced
the production of lithium concentrate from the pilot plant at its
Uis operations. Furthermore, the Company advanced exploration
across its asset portfolio during the year, which delivered
significant results through encouraging drill intersections at
Lithium Ridge.
Lithium Ridge is a fully permitted mining
licence covering an area of approximately 3,300 ha and located
approximately 35 km from Uis Mine. It hosts multiple pegmatites
with mineralisation including lithium (spodumene dominant), tin and
tantalum. The exploration programmes to date, have found continuous
mineralisation along a 6 km strike length. Reverse circulation
drilling intercepted lithium grades of up to 2.13%
Li₂O, proving high grade
mineralisation that extends at depth.
Details of the earn-in agreement
§ The Lithium Ridge
licence has been transferred into GSI that is 100% owned by Uis Tin
Mining Company a wholly owned subsidiary of Andrada.
§ SQM and Andrada have
today entered into the earn-in agreement pursuant to which SQM can
earn up to a 50% interest in GSI through fully funding exploration
and the DFS, as detailed below.
§ Upon execution of the
Agreement, SQM has committed to pay Andrada a US$2
million participation fee in two tranches. The first
US$500 000 is due following signing of the Agreement and the
balance US$1.5 million will be paid on satisfaction of conditions
precedent.
§ The Agreement is
subject to the approval of the transaction from the Namibian
Competition Commission under the Namibian Competition Act 2003 and
the transfer of the Lithium Ridge Environmental Clearance
Certificate into GSI. It is anticipated that these conditions will
be achieved, and a further announcement will be made at that time.
In the event these approvals are not obtained the joint venture
would not progress, but the directors of the Company consider this
to be highly unlikely.
§ Thereafter, SQM will
be entitled to earn its interest in GIS as follows:
−
STAGE 1: SQM may earn a 30% interest in GSI by funding
US$7 million towards exploration over an 18-month
period.
− STAGE 2:
SQM may earn an additional 10% interest in GSI, thereby increasing
its shareholding to 40%, through additional funding of US$13
million for exploration over a further 24-month period.
− STAGE 3:
SQM may earn an additional 10% interest in GSI, thereby increasing
its shareholding to 50%, through the achievement of the earlier
of,
· the completion of
a Lithium Ridge DFS, OR
· a total of US$40
million being incurred on development.
§ In addition, SQM will
pay a contingent success fee if GSI Andrada declares a 40 million
tonne resource during stage three. The fee will be calculated in
accordance with the lithium oxide content in the
resource.
§ Andrada will be
responsible for the exploration and development of Lithium Ridge as
the appointed manager supervised by the JDC.
Andrada looks forward to working with SQM in
developing the spodumene-rich Lithium Ridge asset, unlocking
long-term value, and will provide updates in due course.
About SQM
SQM is a global company that is listed on the New
York Stock Exchange and the Santiago Stock Exchange (NYSE: SQM;
Santiago Stock Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A). SQM develops and produces
diverse products for several industries essential for human
progress, such as health, nutrition, renewable energy and
technology through innovation and technological development.
SQM aims to maintain its leading world position in the lithium,
potassium nitrate, iodine and thermo-solar salts markets.
About Andrada Mining Limited
Andrada Mining Limited is listed on
the London Stock Exchange (AIM) with mining assets in Namibia, a
top-tier investment jurisdiction in Africa. Andrada strives to
produce critical raw materials from a large resource portfolio, to
contribute to a more sustainable future thereby improving lives and
the upliftment of communities adjacent to its operations.
Leveraging on its strong foundation in Namibia, a top-tier African
jurisdiction, Andrada is on a strategic path to becoming a producer
of critical metals including lithium, tin and tantalum. These
metals are important enablers of the green energy transition, being
essential for components of electric vehicles, solar panels and
wind turbines.
CONTACT
Andrada Mining
Anthony
Viljoen, CEO
Sakhile
Ndlovu, Investor Relations
|
+27 (11)
268 6555
|
NOMINATED ADVISOR &
BROKER
|
|
Zeus Capital
Katy
Mitchell
Harry
Ansell
Andrew de
Andrade
|
+44 (0) 2023 829 5000
|
CORPORATE BROKER &
ADVISOR
|
|
H&P Advisory Limited
Andrew
Chubb
Jay
Ashfield
Matt
Hasson
|
+44 (0) 20
7907 8500
|
Berenberg
Jennifer
Lee
Natasha
Ninkov
|
+44 (0) 20
3753 3040
|
FINANCIAL PUBLIC
RELATIONS
|
|
Tavistock (United Kingdom)
Jos
Simson
Charles
Vivian
Josephine
Clerkin
|
+44 (0) 207
920 3150
andrada@tavistock.co.uk
|
Additional Information About
ML133
ML133 is a mining licence held by
Andrada, and as set out in the Company's audited accounts for the
period ended 29 February 2024 there was no loss or turnover
attributable to the asset and the carrying value based on the
expenditure on the licence is £1.6 million (c US$2.1
million).