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")
SQM earn-in agreement
receives Namibian Competition Commission Approval
Andrada Mining Limited (AIM: ATM, OTCQB: ATMTF), a critical
raw materials producer with mining and exploration assets in
Namibia, is pleased to announce that the Namibian Competition
Commission ("NaCC") has
approved the Company's earn-in agreement (the "Agreement") with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA
through its subsidiary SQM
Australia (Pty) Ltd ("SQM").
The NaCC approval is the final
outstanding condition precedent to implement the Agreement. Under
the Agreement, SQM has the right to earn up to a 50% interest in
Grace Simba Investments (Pty) Ltd ("GSI"), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Andrada Mining (Mauritius) Limited, which holds the Lithium Ridge
licence. Full details of the Agreement, including the details of
the earn-in payments are set out in the Company's announcement
dated 9 September 2024.
Highlights
§ NaCC unconditional
approval received for the three stage earn-in agreement with SQM on
Lithium Ridge.
§ Formation of Joint
Development Committee ("JDC") for GSI to commence.
§ Participation fee
balance of USD1.5 million to be paid by SQM to Andrada.
§ USD7 million
investment expected from SQM into GSI throughout the 18 - month
period, for a 30% interest in GSI at the end of Stage 1.
Anthony Viljoen, Chief Executive Officer,
commented:
"We are delighted to receive the Competition Commission's
approval for the earn-in agreement with SQM. This approval is the
final component required for us to fully launch what will be a
transformative partnership with one of the world's largest lithium
chemicals producers. The Agreement will significantly accelerate
our lithium to market strategy.
This is an exciting development for both Andrada and Namibia,
SQM's up to USD40 million foreign direct investment will not only
expedite the development of the spodumene-rich Lithium Ridge but
should also drive socio-economic growth in the Erongo region. This
strategic partnership will create direct and indirect employment
opportunities, enhance local skills development, and strengthen
local procurement of goods and services.
With this approval secured, our exploration team is fully
prepared to execute the first phase of the agreement. This is
undoubtedly a pivotal moment in the Company's trajectory to
becoming a leading African producer of critical raw
materials."
Mark Fones, SQM International
Lithium division CEO, commented:
"We are delighted that the Namibian Competition Commission
granted approval for our earn-in agreement. With all conditions
precedent met, we are set to begin exploration at Lithium Ridge.
This milestone marks a key step in the expansion of our lithium
asset portfolio, reinforcing our commitment to the global energy
transition."
The JDC will be formed with equal
representation from Andrada and SQM. The JDC will develop and
oversee development and implementation of the agreement, commencing
with Stage 1 which includes extensive drilling across the licence
area, for an investment of USD7 million.
The FY2024 exploration drilling
campaigns identified notable intersections with grades up to 2%
Li₂O.
(See
announcement dated 18 September 2023). Following these promising results, the Company initiated a
metallurgical test programme which successfully produced high-grade
spodumene concentrate (6.8% Li₂0) by laboratory-scale flotation from
drill samples. (See announcement dated 5 December
2023).
Andrada will provide market updates
on material progress on the implementation of the approved
programmes throughout the earn-in stages.
CONTACTS
Andrada Mining Limited
Anthony
Viljoen, CEO
Sakhile
Ndlovu, Head of Investor Relations
|
+27 (11)
268 6555
|
NOMINATED ADVISOR &
BROKER
|
|
Zeus Capital
Katy
Mitchell
Andrew de
Andrade
Harry
Ansell
|
+44 (0) 20 2382 9500
|
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
Emily
Moss
Josephine
Clerkin
|
+44 (0) 207
920 3150
andrada@tavistock.co.uk
|
About Andrada Mining
Limited
Andrada Mining Limited is listed on
the London Stock Exchange (AIM), New York (OTCQB) and Namibia Stock
Exchange, and has mining assets in Namibia, a top-tier investment
jurisdiction in Africa. Andrada strives to produce critical raw
materials including tin, tantalum and lithium from a large resource
portfolio, to contribute to a more sustainable future, improved
living conditions and the upliftment of communities adjacent to its
operations. Leveraging its strong foundation in Namibia, Andrada is
on a strategic path to become a leading African producer of
critical metals including tin, lithium, tungsten, tantalum and
copper. These metals are important enablers of the green energy
transition, being essential for components of electric vehicles,
solar panels and wind turbines.