AfriTin Mining Ltd reported record monthly output from its Uis mine in November and said the production ramp-up under its Phase 1 expansion plans is on track for completion by end of January 2023.

November was the first month of production after commissioning of the expanded crushing and tin concentrating circuits were completed in October.

AfriTin produced 88 tonnes of tin concentrate (containing 53 tonnes of tin) in November, exceeding its ramp-up target of 73 tonnes by 20%.

“We believe the expanded production capacity will significantly increase revenue and reduce unit costs, thereby improving the margin and sustainability of the operation,” said chief executive Anthony Viljoen.

The operating unit cost for November was 14% lower than the average monthly unit cost for the six months to end-August 2022.

The AIM-traded company produced 145 tonnes of tin concentrate in its third quarter to end-November, down 32% on the preceding quarter due to a planned five-week processing plant shutdown to complete the construction and commissioning of the expanded crushing and tin concentrating circuits.

The Phase 1 expansion project at Uis is targeting an increase in production from about 780 tonnes per annum to 1,200 tonnes per year of tin concentrate.

Afritin, which is also fast tracking the development of separate lithium and tantalum products alongside its existing tin production, said its lithium pilot plant and tantalum separation circuit is under construction and on track for commissioning in the second quarter of 2023.

“We look forward to realising the full polymetallic potential of the Uis deposit," said Viljoen.