Country in focus
Desert Lion Energy uses mobile equipment to crush surface stockpiles at their lithium deposit close to Karibib.
Not only does Namibia seem to be replete with several minerals
that could have some sort of use in the Fourth Industrial
Revolution, but many exploration geologists regard it as one of
the best countries in Africa to look for new deposits. The geology
is fascinating, the infrastructure first class, and the ease of doing
business is a little bit easier compared to other countries in Africa.
Find a geologist
When driving through the remoteness of Namibia, trying to
understand the geology and the country’s mining industry, it is best
to find a well-versed geologist to drive with you.
Traversing the arid landscape is a lesson in geology from day one.
Its wide, open spaces, inselbergs, sedimentary deposits, sandy plains,
and windy valleys tell a story of rumblings, volcanic outbursts, and
endless erosion. African Mining had the opportunity to drive with
Tim Marais, geologist at AfriTin, to the company’s new project
close to Uis, about two hours north-east of Swakopmund. Iscor
mined the Uis tin deposit from the 1950s, but when sanctions were
lifted in South Africa in the early 1990s and it became cheaper
for South Africa to source its tin globally, the company was forced
to suspend operations at the mine. Marais has done exploration
work in several different countries throughout Africa and regards
Namibia as the best by far.
Walking through the numerous pits (and there are many) left by
Iscor at the historical mine of Uis, is an astonishing excursion. The
black tin spots are scattered across the host rock, and although low
grade, the deposit is larger than one would expect it to be. Marais
says a lot of exploration still needs to be done, though. “It is well
22 AFRICAN MINING JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019
known that the pegmatites and tin are found in a massive belt that
stretches south-west for about 120km all the way from here [Uis]
to Henties Bay on the coast,” says Marais.
AfriTin has recently acquired more exploration licenses in the area,
and it will be interesting to see what their exploration work uncovers
in the future. The improved tin price has made it possible for AfriTin
to relook the mine and the company has enough exploration data
to prove a viable project. A pilot processing plant is currently under
construction, with first production scheduled early in 2019.
These pegmatites in the Uis area might also host the sought-after
new mineral on everybody’s lips: lithium. About 50km north of
Uis, as the crow flies, Tony Harwood’s Montero Mining (Canadian
listed) might have stumbled upon an interesting deposit at Soris,
where they have done preliminary drilling. Harwood says Montero
will start operating next year and although a lot still needs to be
done before then, it is something to keep an eye on.
Search for pegmatites and lepidolites
The Erongo and Omaruru regions are a geologist’s dream,
particularly if you are interested in pegmatites. Pegmatites
are formed when granitic magma cools down and produces
exceptionally large crystals in the final stages of crystallisation.
These crystals sometimes contain rare minerals like lepidolite,
which is used to produce the necessary oxides in the production of
lithium. The lepidolites further south-east from Uis (about 180km)
at Karibib, halfway between Swakopmund and Windhoek, does,
in fact, contain lithium, which another Canadian company, Desert
Lion, is currently looking to develop.
www.africanmining.co.za