Marula Mining, an African focused mining and development company, has provided an update on the Blesberg lithium and tantalum mine, where the company through arrangements with Q Global Commodities is completing the acquisition of two sensor-based, XRF ore sorting plants that will now be commissioned at Blesberg in Q4 2023 and used initially to increase the production of high-grade spodumene ore from the processing of the historical stockpiles.

The XRF ore sorters comprise a Rados SRF100-8 ore sorter with a 30 t/h capacity  and a TOMRA COM XRT 1200 ore sorter with a 120  t/h capacity. The XRF ore sorters will both be included in the proposed expanded processing facilities at Blesberg that, in addition to new crushing and screening equipment, is planned to increase the production capacity of high-grade spodumene ore to over 1,000 t/mth of saleable product.

The Company is acquiring the XRF ore sorters for total consideration of approximately ZAR40.6 million (£1.7 million) from Q Global Mining (Pty) Ltd (Q Mining), a subsidiary of Q Global. Documentation for the acquisitions are currently being finalised with Q Global’s lawyers, with commercial terms agreed. The Rados SRF100-8 ore sorter is to be acquired through a series of 36 monthly payments, after which ownership will be transferred to Marula. The TOMRA COM XRT 1200 ore sorter acquisition cost of £750,000 are to be offset against subscription funds to be received from Q Global, pending the approval of a conditional subscription agreement and Rule 9 waiver which were earlier announced January 31, 2023.