Africa-focused Marula Mining has opted to accelerate its initial work programme at the Northern Cape lithium and tantalum (NCLT) project and also seek to leverage its flexible mining and processing capabilities at Blesberg, owing to the significant increase in tungsten APT prices.

The NCLT project extends over 15 000 ha and is located contiguous to and immediately north of the company’s existing Blesberg lithium and tantalum mine.

It comprises over 16 known tungsten deposits and former high-grade tungsten mining operations.

Sampling work of the shallow high-grade tungsten deposits is ongoing and will be completed early in the first quarter of 2025 and will be followed up by additional resource and exploration drilling.

In parallel with the sampling work, further detailed review work of available historical production records and exploration and geological data is being undertaken by the company’s technical team.

Marula says its processing operations at Blesberg, which are to be expanded this quarter with the installation of the TOMRA X-ray transmission (XRT) ore sorter, are capable of also processing tungsten ore and material from the NCLT project and could enable the company to look at production of high-grade tungsten concentrates in 2025.

In particular, TOMRA has a successful record at a number of European tungsten mining and processing operations of effectively and efficiently processing tungsten ores, increasing recovery and grade and reducing costs, the company points out.

It is in discussions with the TOMRA team in South Africa on how best to use the TOMRA XRT ore sorter, which will  be installed and commissioned on site, to also treat the tungsten ores from the NCLT project, as well as the lithium and tantalum ores from Blesberg.

“The surge in tungsten prices and the tightening global market presents a timely opportunity for the company to leverage its operational flexibility and resource diversity,” CEO Jason Brewer avers.

“With our processing capabilities at Blesberg, we are pushing ahead with operational and strategic plans to integrate and advance these nearby high-grade tungsten projects and former operations. I believe we are well-positioned to maximise value and respond to evolving market demands.

“Our focus remains on accelerating development across key assets to deliver sustainable growth and shareholder value in this dynamic commodity environment,” he adds.

As announced in July, the company’s wholly-owned South African subsidiary, Southern African Lithium and Tantalum Mining, or SALT, signed a formal share sale agreement to acquire 100% of the shareholding in South African mining and exploration company Northern Cape Lithium and Tungsten.

Completion of the acquisition of Northern Cape Lithium and Tungsten remains subject only to regulatory approvals in South Africa.

The company also announced in July that it had started initial work programmes at the NCLT project, and these included detailed review work of historical production, exploration and geological data and sampling work on the three primary tungsten projects.