Modern Mining February 2025

TIN

Andrada Mining remains focused on consolidating ownership of its Uis and Lithium Ridge licences as it targets its next phase of growth.

Myanmar are large suppliers that face supply uncertainty, with Myanmar being a key supplier to China. “Indonesian exports picked up in September. However, because they have exhausted the prior limits, some major producers must renegotiate their quotas before exports can resume. In Myanmar’s Wa region there is no evidence of progress towards a mining restart at Man Maw, while export volumes continue to decline as concentrate inventories deplete and China’s feedstock squeeze tightens. Sentiment on tin by investors is positive, with market participants anticipating an overall demand recovery in 2024. The market is expected to be in supply deficit, driven by Indonesia and Myanmar

Importantly, some 16 tonnes of tantalum concentrate were produced during Q2 – an increase of 78% from around nine tonnes produced during Q1 FY2025. The company supplied AfriMet with 15 tonnes of tantalum concentrate and received a 90% provisional payment for the full supply. Meanwhile, following the completion of Phase 1 expansion of the Uis processing plant, the company is moving onto the next growth phase, which entails increased tin concentrate output, the integration of a petalite production circuit and implementing studies to finalise the magnitude of the expansion. Moreover, the company anticipates that the earn-in agreement with SQM for Lithium Ridge will expedite the development of spodumene – rich asset. Tin market outlook Andrada expects the tin price to continue

dynamics. We are particularly excited by the tin trajectory as we are poised to benefit from the continued ramp-up of our tin production.” Lithium and tantalum business

its rally, as demand increases in line with the energy transition (solar panels and other renewable energy sources) and steadily improving demand for consumer goods, including EVs and consumer electronics such as smartphones. Tin is a key contact in electronic circuits (solder), printed circuit boards

Recent tin price recovery is attributed

Andrada produces tantalum and has an offtake agreement with AfriMet. To date, the company has shipped 15 tonnes of saleable tantalum. In the last quarter, the company

to the strong return of tin metal demand for electronics and green infrastructure.

and semi-conductors. It is the electric glue connecting key components. Recent tin price recovery is attributed to the strong return of tin metal demand for electronics and green infrastructure including solar, circuit boards combined with significant supply issues in Myanmar (second largest miner) and Indonesia (largest exporter of tin ingots). “There is a general depleting inventory supply and discerning lack of new supply coming online,” Andrada said. Tin is 2024’s strongest performing base metal, driven by robust fundamentals in both the short- and long-term. Indonesia and

produced 16 tonnes, “which was up 78% from the previous quarter, so we are continuing to progress this stream”,

Andrada said. “We sold our maiden petalite concentrate during the first half of the financial year and we are highly encouraged by the performance of our lithium pilot plant so far.” To date, the plant has been used for production of bulk samples for testing campaigns with potential off-take partners. According to Andrada, these campaigns will contribute to the modelling of the integrated lithium circuit, thus derisking the

14  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | February 2025