Aim-listed Kazera Global says there is growing interest in the development of its tantalum and lithium project African Tantalum (Aftan), in southern Namibia.

Kazera has received expressions of interest and held discussions with a number of parties with experience in critical minerals development, exploration and resource development, downstream tantalum and lithium processing, critical minerals supply chains and mine development and operations.

The company is evaluating a number of pathways that support the long-term development of the Aftan project, while recognizing the long-term impact for the local community and economy, the technical work completed to date, the broader potential of the licence area and alignment with Namibia’s growing strategic importance as a source of responsibly developed critical minerals.

Recent technical analysis undertaken by Kazera highlights potential dry beneficiation methodologies which may be suitable for the project, potentially reducing water requirements meaningfully and supporting a more commercially attractive future development pathway.

The Kazera board believes that this could prove particularly relevant in Namibia’s arid operating environment and may offer both environmental and economic advantages in relation to any future development pathway.

Further, the strategic and technical review of the Aftan project highlighted potential dry beneficiation characteristics comprising low-water processing routes and dry separation techniques, and the presence of multiple mineralised pegmatites across the licence area, with modern drilling and mineral resource estimation across the licence being relatively limited.

Other notable features included in this review include the potential broader district-scale pegmatite upside, and potential phased development pathways incorporating both tantalum and lithium opportunities.

The technical analysis also highlights broader district-scale exploration upsides, with modern drilling and mineral resource estimation historically focused on only three of at least 13 known mineralised pegmatites and there remain significant areas which are relatively unexplored.

There are ongoing evaluations regarding the potential strategic pathways available to Kazera in relation to its interest in Aftan, and a focus on identifying an appropriate route forward with minimal recourse to Kazera shareholders.

As part of the board’s ongoing strategic review of Kazera’s asset base and development priorities, individual directors have been taking active roles across key strategic priorities and identifying technically capable and financially robust partners to help unlock value from its asset base.

Recent technical analysis undertaken by Kazera has materially improved the company’s understanding of potential dry processing routes with minimal water requirements.

“In relation to Aftan, reviewing historical technical and operational information together with recent technical analysis has reinforced our view regarding the project’s broader potential and strategic relevance within the critical minerals sector.

“Importantly, the work undertaken has highlighted what we believe may be a more capital-efficient route to unlocking value from the project over time, particularly through an improved understanding of potential dry processing pathways and the wider pegmatite system.

“We have received continued and growing expressions of interest in relation to Aftan and are carefully evaluating the range of potential pathways available to Kazera in relation to its interest in the project.

“Our focus is on identifying the right long-term route to create value for shareholders while supporting future operational activity, job creation and economic participation within Namibia,” Kazera nonexecutive director Paul Dulieu comments.

The company also continues to progress matters relating to the previously announced arbitration award finding that construction contractor Hebei Xinjian Construction (Hebei) had breached its contractual obligations.

As previously announced, Kazera was successful in binding arbitration proceedings relating to payment obligations under the transaction with Hebei, with the arbitration award finding that Hebei had breached its contractual obligations. Under the terms of the original transaction, Kazera retained legal title to the issued shares in Aftan as security pending full payment of the consideration.

The arbitration award was final and binding, with Hebei subsequently initiating legal proceedings in Namibia seeking a review of aspects of the arbitration process, rather than the substantive findings of the award itself.

Kazera remains confident in its legal position and says it has received legal advice supporting that position, aimed at protecting Kazera’s interests while awaiting the outcome of those proceedings.