Hilma Nalupe
Andrada Mining is continuing its expansion in Namibia with a sharpened focus on critical minerals, positioning the country as a key player in the global supply chain for tin, lithium, copper and tantalum.
Speaking at the Mining Expo, Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Viljoen, said Namibia’s favourable geology, legal framework and access to international markets placed it in a strong position to benefit from rising global demand for these minerals over the next decade.
Construction of a new 100 tonnes-per-hour jig plant is currently underway at the company’s Uis site, which is expected to support a planned doubling of tin production within the next 12 to 18 months. In addition, Andrada recently secured an ore supply agreement for up to 240 000 tonnes of high-grade tin from Goantagab, a deposit long known for its tin reserves.
The company’s lithium strategy is also gaining momentum through its partnership with Chilean lithium major Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM) at the Lithium Ridge project, where exploration began in May this year. Lithium Ridge, identified as a six-kilometre-long mineralised zone, is Andrada’s second highest exploration priority after Uis.
Locally, Andrada continues to highlight its Namibia-first approach, with the company reporting 99% of its current workforce is Namibian. The company says it has invested approximately N$1.5 billion into the Namibian economy and works exclusively with Namibian suppliers and contractors.
The village of Uis, where Andrada’s operations are based, has seen increased economic activity, according to the company, including job creation and supplier development. Andrada also supports bursaries, university partnerships, and in-house training programmes aimed at staff progression into technical and leadership roles.
Questions around local ownership remain a key topic of interest. While Andrada has partnerships with some Namibian stakeholders, public debate has intensified over the relatively low levels of Namibian equity in mining companies. Viljoen acknowledged the discussion, noting that while mining is capital-intensive, Namibian shareholding could increase provided that there is matching capital.
“Mining does require a lot of capital and a lot of specific expertise, and by bringing in external parties to assist with that, just accelerates the benefit that mining has for local communities,” Viljoen said.
The company maintains that its operations provide significant economic benefits to Namibia through employment, procurement, taxes, and royalties. Calls for models such as 50/50 ownership between foreign and Namibian shareholders continue to draw political and public attention, though Viljoen stressed the importance of clear legislation and balanced approaches to attract investment while meeting national expectations.
Looking ahead, Andrada has indicated its intent to develop long-term, multi-commodity mining operations in Namibia, positioning itself to contribute to both local development and the global energy transition.
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