AfriTin Mining Ltd (AIM:ATM, OTC:AFTTF) has completed the construction part of its Phase 1 expansion project at its flagship Uis polymetallic mine in Namibia, allowing the project to move into the commissioning stage.
Commissioning of the new circuits will be conducted in two stages. Commissioning of the dry plant has already started and will be completed by the end of this month, while commissioning of the wet plant is set for September.
The Phase 1 expansion project is targeting an increase in tin concentrate production of up to 67% to about 1,200 tonnes per year. Current output is expected to expand progressively over four months.
"The AfriTin team has demonstrated remarkable resilience in completing the construction milestone for the Uis Phase 1 expansion project despite challenging market conditions and a difficult construction environment,” said chief executive Anthony Viljoen.
“We aim to achieve a significant increase in revenue and reduction in unit cost through this expansion.”
The AIM-traded company noted that the commissioning process has been designed to minimise disruption and so is not expected to have a material impact on production due to stockpiling and the flexibility of the current circuit.
AfriTin also plans to produce lithium and tantalum as by-products and has fast-tracked the development of these potential revenue streams.
“The expanded operation will provide an excellent platform for implementing our lithium and tantalum by-product strategies,” said Viljoen.