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LONDON (Alliance News) - Southern Africa-focused tin mining company AfriTin Mining PLC said on Friday it has pushed back its expected date for production from the Uis tin mine due to additional work.
Following consultation with its engineering consultants, AfriTin has decided to implement two additional components to the phase one pilot plant on the project.
A third dense medium separation section will be installed to increase the plant throughput capacity, and a magnetic separation circuit for the production of tantalum concentrate alongside tin.
As a result of these changes, first concentrate is expected to be produced in the second quarter of 2019, but will increase the revenue generation capability of the plant.
So far, AfriTin has made "significant" progress in assessing infrastructure requirements for phase one production, with the completion of a geohydrological study, water drilling, and test pumping programme.
In its phase one exploration, the company has completed 18 of the required 26 drill holes since November, to validating the existing resource. Once all holes are completed, the core will be assayed and prepared for the declaration of an initial resource on the project.
"The additions announced today to the phase one pilot plant will allow for the production of both tin and tantalum concentrates as well as larger throughput capacity at our Uis phase 1 pilot plant. These changes will not only improve revenue from phase one but also allow us to further de-risk the larger phase two production which is subject to a feasibility study," said Chief Executive Anthony Viljoen.
Shares in AfriTin Mining were down 3.8% at 3.80 pence on Friday.
