AfriTin Mining says it has recorded a ramp-up in production at its expanded Uis Mine processing plant, a development that has seen its November 2022 production exceeding target by 20%.
“During November 2022, the first month of production following commissioning, the ramp-up target was exceeded by 20% (88 tonnes of tin concentrate vs a target of 73 tonnes). The production of 88 tonnes of tin concentrate (containing 53 tonnes of tin) achieved during November 2022 also represents a new monthly production record,” AfriTin Mining CEO Anthony Viljoen said while commenting on the company’s unaudited quarterly production update for the Uis Mine for the third quarter ending 30 November 2022 of the 2023 Financial Year.
“We believe the expanded production capacity will significantly increase revenue and reduce unit costs, thereby improving the margin and sustainability of the operation. In addition, the Company is fast tracking the development of separate lithium and tantalum products alongside its existing tin production, with both a lithium pilot and a tantalum separation circuit under construction. We look forward to realising the full polymetallic potential of the Uis deposit.”
Compared to the monthly average performance during H1 FY2023, the plant processing rate has increased by 17%, ore processed has increased by 22%, tin concentrate production has increased by 16%, and the operating unit cost has decreased by 14% (unaudited).
“It is expected that these trends will continue as the production ramp-up progresses.”
Commissioning of the Uis Phase 1 Expansion Project, a modular expansion of the current processing plant, was completed in October 2022 and the project targets an increase in production at Uis from approximately 780tpa to 1,200tpa tin concentrate (470tpa and 720tpa tin contained in concentrate respectively).
The production ramp-up period is estimated to last for three months, from November 2022 to January 2023.
The African technology metals mining company said its Lithium pilot plant and tantalum separation circuit under construction remains on track for commissioning in the second quarter of 2023.
“A lithium pilot plant and tantalum separation circuit are currently under construction. The lithium pilot plant is intended to process bulk samples into a lithium concentrate, with the aim of refining the process flow design for lithium, as well as for offtake testing and development.
“The tantalum separation circuit will be integrated with the existing tin concentrating plant to produce a separate saleable tantalum concentrate. Commissioning of both projects is scheduled for Q2 2023.”
