AfriTin Mining continued its strong start to 2022 according to its latest quarterly update.

The company, which operates the Uis tin mine in Namibia, reported that it produced 152 tonnes of tin-in-concentrate during the March to May period, up 13% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ). Compared to the same period last year, output is up some 33%.

While some of the improvement can be attributed to natural orebody variations (feed grade was up 9% QoQ), overall recovery at the mine’s processing plant hit a new record of 67%, up 5% QoQ. During the last financial year, the plant averaged recoveries of just 62%. Throughput was also strong at 99 tonnes per hour (tph), up 1% QoQ, but significantly above design rates of 80 tph.

With production continuing to exceed expectations, AfriTin has been looking to reduce costs. “The initiatives aimed at improving our unit costs are yielding positive results” said CEO Anthony Viljoen. All-in Sustaining Costs for the mine were US$ 23,526/tonne contained tin in the reporting period, down 16% QoQ and 14% lower than the 2022 financial year average.

Viljoen noted that improvements are still to come: “The Phase 1 Expansion Project is nearing completion and will further strengthen our tin revenue base”. The project, which will see output increase by 67%, is on track for completion during the third quarter of the calendar year.

Our view: AfriTin continues to deliver strong results, exceeding nameplate production levels. While the temporary closure of major Chinese smelters is a negative for most tin miners, AfriTin’s long-term offtake agreement with Thaisarco mean that it will continue to be able to sell its product.

AfriTin Mining is a member of ITA’s Explorers and Developers Group.