Aim-listed AfriTin Mining’s density-based lithium beneficiation test work at its Uis tin mine, in Namibia, has achieved petalite concentrate grades in excess of 4% lithium oxide and within contaminant specifications for a typical saleable technical grade petalite product.
The miner will now proceed with the design and procurement of a pilot lithium beneficiation facility, as well as the implementation of a tantalum concentrating circuit.
AfriTin CEO Anthony Viljoen says the metallurgical test work results confirm the production potential of separate saleable lithium and tantalum concentrates.
“The implementation of these by-product streams could substantially transform the overall economics and unit cost of production for the current Phase 1 facility,” he adds.
By implementing the pilot phase development of these separate elements, the company aims to take advantage of the burgeoning technology metals market by fast-tracking the by-product streams into production.
AfriTin has embarked on an aggressive strategy to maximise returns by producing by-products and maximising processing throughput. The programmes to develop separate tantalum and lithium concentrate by-products are advancing to the pilot phase.