Lithium Ionic announces strategic acquisition of Neolit Minerals, significantly expanding footprint in the lithium-rich Araçuaí Pegmatite District; includes multiple advanced targets with drill results up to 1.71% Li2O over 9.8m, 1.53%
Lithium Ionic announces strategic acquisition of Neolit Minerals, significantly
expanding footprint in the lithium-rich Araçuaí Pegmatite District; includes
multiple advanced targets with drill results up to 1.71% Li2O over 9.8m, 1.53%
Li2O over 11.4m and 1.22% Li2O over 13.8m
TORONTO, ON, March 13, 2023 – Lithium Ionic Corp. (TSXV: LTH; OTCQB: LTHCF; FSE: H3N)
(“Lithium Ionic ” or the “Company”) reports that it has acquired 100% of Neolit Minerals
Participações Ltda. (“Neolit”), a Brazilian company which owns a 40% interest in the Salinas
Project (the “Project”) and has the right, subject to certain exploration commitments, to acquire
up to an 85% ownership interest in the Project.
The Salinas Project currently includes nine exploration tenements totaling 5,713 hectares, which
are located approximately 100 kilometres north of Lithium Ionic’s 7,700-hectare Itinga Project, in
the northern region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil (See Figure 1). The spodumene-rich pegmatite
bodies at the Neolit claims lie within the Salinas region, in the low -pressure, high-temperature,
Curralinho Pegmatite Field of the lithium-rich Araçuaí Pegmatite District. Neolit is in the process
of acquiring a binding option to acquire up to a 95% ownership interest in a 10 th exploration
tenement covering 184 hectares which is contiguous with the Salinas Project from an arm’s length
vendor.
Highlights of the Transaction & the Salinas Project
Lithium Ionic significantly expands its footprint in the northern region of the East ern
Brazilian Pegmatite Province, a belt which is quickly emerging as one of the largest lithium
spodumene districts globally.
Project located directly adjacent to Latin Resources’ Colina lithium deposit, which contains
an estimated 13.3Mt @ 1.2% Li2O1.
Five lithium-rich spodumene-bearing pegmatites outcropping at surface have been
defined at the Salinas Project, ranging from 7 to 14 metres thick.
A drilling program of 24 holes ( 4,000 metres) completed in H2 2022 by Neolit returned
excellent results with intercept highlights of:
o 1.53% Li2O over 11.36m from 43.84m (SLOE-D014)
o 1.22% Li2O over 13.76m from 36.60m (SLOE-D015)
o 1.71% Li2O over 9.82m from 97.70m (SLOE-D013)
o 1.19% Li2O over 13.35m from 239.65m (SLOE-D018)
Lithium Ionic intends to initiate a 20,000m drill program in the coming months to follow up
on excellent 2022 results.
1 Source: Latin Resources’ publicly disclosed JORC mineral resource estimate
Founder and CEO of Neolit , Dr. André Guimarães, to join Lithium Ionic as VP Business
Development effective immediately.
Blake Hylands, P.Geo., Chief Executive Officer of Lithium Ionic, commented, “These new claims
represent a significant expansion over our previous land holdings and underscores our strategy
of becoming a dominant lithium player in a region that is quickly emerging as one of the largest
lithium spodumene provinces in the world. Neolit’s strong initial drill results along with the
proximity of this Project to an established 13.3Mt grading 1.2% Li2O mineral resource makes the
Salinas Project a highly prospective target in our growing portfolio and we’re looking forward to
initiating the next phase of drilling and rapidly defining the size and extent of th ese lithium
deposits. We are also very happy to add the technical strength of Dr. Guimarães to Lithium Ionic.
He will be a key player in our continued growth.”
André Guimarães, founder of Neolit, commented , “We are thrilled to join the Lithium Ionic team
and see our project incorporated into their portfolio. Our team has been working in the region for
nearly three years, making significant advancements at the Salinas Project. Over five pegmatites,
ranging from 7 to 14 metres thick and grading between 1.1 to 1.7 Li2O%, have been identified to
date, all within just one of the nine tenements, which together cover nearly 6,000 hectares. The
potential to expand existing pegmatites and identify new ones is very exciting and Lithium Ionic
will allow us to expedite the development of the project. We admire Lithium Ionic’s experienced
and proven technical and corporate team who have demonstrated their strong abilities through
the rapid development of the Itinga and Galvani Projects and feel privileged to now be part of the
team.”
Terms of the Agreement
Pursuant to the securities purchase agreement dated March 10 , 2023, between the Company,
André Guimarães (the “Vendor”) and Neolit, the Company acquired a 100% ownership interest in
Neolit. The consideration for the transaction is as follows:
• A cash payment by the Company of USD$2,031,004.56 to the Vendor on closing;
• A cash payment by the Company of USD$2,570 ,766.82 to Neolit to se ttle all existing
liabilities of Neolit on closing;
• Issuance of 4 million Lithium Ionic Shares to the Vendor on closing;
• Issuance of 1.5 million Lithium Ionic common share purchase warrants (the “LTH
Warrants”). The LTH Warrants have an exercise price of CAD$2.25, a term of three years
and only vest if Lithium Ionic establishes an independent National Instrument 43 -101
compliant mineral resource estimate on the Salinas Project of at least 20 million tons with
an average grade greater than 1.3% Li2O; and
• A cash payment by the Company of USD$1,500,000 to the Vendor on the 18 -month
anniversary of the closing of the transaction.
The transaction was completed as an expedited transaction pursuant to TSX Venture Exchange
("TSXV") Policy 5.3 - Acquisitions and Dispositions of Non-Cash Assets and remains subject to
final TSXV acceptance. The transaction is at arms -length and no finder’s fees were paid in
connection therewith.
Neolit’s Salinas Project Overview
The Salinas Project (“Salinas”) is located in the lithium-rich Araçuaí Pegmatite District (“APD”),
the northern part of the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province, which hosts the largest lithium
reserves in Brazil. Salinas is situated approximately 100 kilometres north of Lithium Ionic’s Itinga
claims (see Figure 1).
Salinas is located directly adjacent to Latin Resources’ Colina lithium deposit , which currently
contains an estimated 13.3Mt @ 1.2% Li2O. It also surrounds a large outcropping pegmatite that
has been mined for spodumene intermittently for several decades called “lavra do Zoe” . This
pegmatite body, located only 40 metres away from Neolit’s tenement, is at least 15 metres thick
and has a strike length of at least 210 metres. Metre-sized spodumene crystals are typical at this
outcrop and represent 30%-40% of its total volume (see inset photo in Figure 2).
Prior to the maiden drilling program initiated by Neolit in August 2022, Neolit completed extensive
geological mapping and systematic surface sampling and geochemistry which identified several
occurrences of lithium mineralized pegmatites outcropping at surface. Five targets (Zoe, Oeste,
Sobradinho, Cubo and Ju) across a 3.5-kilometre area, showed excellent potential to host highly
evolved LCT (Lithium – Cesium – Tantalum) pegmatites, which was subsequently confirmed with
drilling.
The 4,000-metre, 24- hole drill program yielded excellent results. Intercept highlights are
presented below, while complete results are presented in Table 1.
Drill highlights include:
1.53% Li2O over 11.36m from 43.84m (SLOE-D014)
1.22% Li2O over 13.76m from 36.60m (SLOE-D015)
1.71% Li2O over 9.82m from 97.70m (SLOE-D013)
1.19% Li2O over 13.35m from 239.65m (SLOE-D018)
The drill program was successful in confirming several mineralized pegmatites, up to 500 metres
in strike length at the Oeste Zone, however based on field observations and sampling of
outcropping pegmatite occurrences , as well as interpretations of local g eology, they could be
multiple times larger. Lithium Ionic inten ds to initiate a 20,000 -metre drill program at Salinas in
the coming months with the aim to define the scale of these lithium deposits.
Additional Acquired Claims and Future Potential to Expand Footprint Near Itinga Project
Through the Neolit acquisition, Lithium Ionic is also acquiring 100% ownership of two claims
totaling 769 hectares, located in the northern region of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. One of the
claims is directly adjacent to the Vale claims acquired in January 2023 (see the Company’s
January 25, 2023 press release for further details) , while the other is located approximately half
way between the Itinga Project claims and the Salinas Project claims (see Figure 1).
Additionally, Neolit, at it s sole discretion, is able to expand its footprint in the Araçuaí region
pursuant to a definitive agreement it has in place with an arm’s length party pursuant to which it
can acquire claims adjacent to Lithium Ionic’s wholly owned Itinga project. Neolit can select from
a land package of 10 tenements comprising 4,140 hectares owned by the vendor, the areas within
these tenements Neolit considers most prospective and acquire up to a 90% ownership interest
in such claims by incurring certain exploration expenditures.
Lithium Ionic will provide further updates to investors regarding any material advancements
regarding this transaction in due course.
André Guimarães joins Lithium Ionic as VP of Corporate Development
Lithium Ionic is pleased to welcome the Founder and CEO of Neolit Strategic Minerals, André
Guimarães, as Vice-President of Corporate Development, effective immediately , pending final
TSXV approval.
André Guimarães is a geology graduate with a PhD specialization in igneous petrology who has
over ten years of experience in research. Dr. Guimarães founded Neolit in early 2020, and since
then has been directly involved in all corporate and exploration activities, including field work and
contract negotiations. With his strong background in igneous petrology, he participates directly in
the analyses and interpretation of geological data, particularly geochemical results.
Prior to his career in geology, he worked as an archaeologist who was involved in rescue
archaeology projects associated with the development of mining sites in Brazil. During this time,
he acquired extensive experience dealing with the necessary social-related foundational work
required for the development of a mining site.
Figure 1 – Salinas and Itinga Project Location
Figure 2 – Five Spodumene-bearing Pegmatite Targets, Drill Collar Locations and Intercept
Highlights
*(“Lavra do Zoe” photo from the following public report: De Castro Paes, V. J., Santos, L.D., Tedeschi, M.F., Betiollo,
L.M. (2016). Avaliação do Potencial do L ítio no Brasil: Área do M édio Rio Jequitinhonha, Nordeste de Minas Gerais.
Serviço Geológico do Brasil (CPRM), Belo Horizonte, Série Minerais Estratégicos n.03)
Table 1 – Salinas Project 4,000m Drill Program Results
Hole ID Az Dip From To Metres Li2O (%)
SLCU-D001B 295° 60° 23.68 27.19 3.51 0.58
Incl. 23.68 25.55 1.87 0.93
SLCU-D001 295° 60° 103.66 108.85 5.19 0.63
Incl. 107.36 108.33 0.97 1.62
SLCU-D002
295° 60°
56.11 60.19 4.08 1.26
and 96.74 97.78 1.04 0.97
and 152.40 154.40 2.00 1.49
SLCU-D003
295° 60°
120.85 122.75 1.90 0.61
and 145.12 146.62 1.50 0.87
and 191.39 192.83 1.44 0.77
and 199.91 202.96 3.05 0.69
SLSB-D004
320° 60°
66.66 70.92 4.26 1.32
Incl. 68.51 70.30 1.79 2.35
and 74.88 78.33 3.45 0.94
SLSB-D005 320° 60° No significant results
SLSB-D006 320° 60° 70.50 74.35 3.85 1.55
SLJU-D007 313° 90° No significant results
SLJU-D008 315° 50° No significant results
SLJU-D009 315° 60° No significant results
SLJU-D010 315° 50° No significant results
SLCU-D011 295° 60° 161.76 162.70 0.94 1.22
SLOE-D012 305° 60° 88.60 90.38 1.78 1.38
and 120.52 122.15 1.63 1.00
SLOE-D013 305° 50° 97.70 107.52 9.82 1.71
SLOE-D014 305° 50° 43.84 55.20 11.36 1.53
Incl. 49.84 53.84 4.00 1.99
SLOE-D015 305° 50° 36.60 50.36 13.76 1.22
Incl. 42.72 45.66 2.94 1.95
SLOE-D016 305° 50° No significant results
SLOE-D017 268° 90° No significant results
SLOE-D018 305° 50° 239.65 253.00 13.35 1.19
Incl. 242.64 245.32 2.68 1.86
SLOE-D019 305° 50° No significant results
SLOE-D020 125° 90° No significant results
SLOE-D021 305° 50° No significant results
SLOE-D022 305° 60° 102.68 110.12 7.44 1.09
Incl. 105.36 109.20 3.84 1.48
SLZO-D023 310° 60° No significant results
SLZO-D024 310° 80° No significant results
About Lithium Ionic Corp.
Lithium Ionic is a Canadian-based lithium -focused mining company with properties covering
14,182 hectares located in the prolific Araçuaí province in Minas Gerais State, Brazil , which
boasts excellent infrastructure, including highways, access to hydroelectrical grid power, water,
and nearby commercial ports. Its Itinga Project neighbours CBL’s Cachoeira lithium mine and
Sigma Lithium Corp.’s construction-stage Grota do Cirilo project.
Qualified Persons
The technical information, including assays relating to the Salinas Project, is historical in nature
and has not been independently verified by Lithium Ionic. A qualified person, as defined in
National Instrument 43-101, has not done sufficient work on behalf of Lithium Ionic to classify the
historical drilling reported above as current mineral resources or m ineral reserves and Lithium
Ionic is not treating the historical drill results as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.
Each of Carlos Costa, Vice President Exploration of Lithium Ionic and Blake Hylands, CEO and
director of Lithium Ionic, are both “qualified persons” as defined in NI 43-101 and have reviewed
and approved the contents and technical disclosures in this press release.
Investor and Media Inquiries:
+1 647.316.2500
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute “forward- statements.” Such forward
looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ
materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its
officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that
have been considered appropriate that the expect ations reflected in this forward -looking
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are intended to identify forward- looking statements and information. The forward -looking
statements and information in this press release include information relating to the prospectivity
of the Company’s mineral properties, the acquisition of Neolit, the prospectivity of the Salinas
Project, Neolit’s ability to increase ownership in the Salinas Project, Neolit’s ability to acquire
additional mining claims or tenements, the Company’s ability to produce a NI 43-101 compliant
mineral resource estimate, the mineralization and development of the Company’s mineral
properties, changes to the Company’s management team, the Company’s exploration program
and other mining projects and prospects thereof . Such statements and information reflect the
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to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
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news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release
and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue
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