Lithium Ionic Initiates Long- Lead Order and Provides Community Engagement Update Project’s first long-lead equipment order placed: Bandeira’s substation transformer
Lithium Ionic Initiates Long- Lead Order and Provides Community Engagement
Update
Project’s first long-lead equipment order placed: Bandeira’s substation transformer
TORONTO, ON, June 11, 2026 – Lithium Ionic Corp. (TSXV: LTH; OTCQX: LTHCF; FSE: H3N)
(“Lithium Ionic” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on development progress at
its 100%-owned Bandeira Lithium Project (“Bandeira” or the “Project”), located in Minas Gerais,
Brazil’s globally significant “Lithium Valley.” The Company has placed its first long-lead equipment
order at Bandeira, securing the Project’s main substation power transformer, and confirms that
overall project engineering has advanced to approximately 65% completion.
The transformer order marks the start of long -lead procurement at Bandeira and an important
step from engineering into execution. As one of the longer-lead items on the path to construction,
ordering it now supports schedule certainty while the Company advances its broader procurement
program and continues to refine the Project’s capital cost estimate.
Recent Progress
First long-lead equipment order placed at Bandeira, securing the Project’s main
substation power transformer from Brazilian manufacturer Blutrafos;
Overall Engineering has advanced to 65% completion since the Feasibility Study
(the “Study”) press release from September 17, 2025;
Geotechnical drilling (1,352m) completed in the project area to support detailed
engineering and design;
Project capital cost estimate being updated as part of the ongoing detailed en-
gineering work;
Positive community engagement underway with more than 4,500 personnel
hours spent in community engagement near Bandeira since late 2025; over 700
attendees have been engaged to date
Blake Hylands, P.Geo., CEO of Lithium Ionic, commented, “Placing our first long- lead order is a
tangible signal that Bandeira is moving from the drawing board into execution. With overall
engineering now approximately 65% complete and geotechnical work and procurement
advancing in parallel, we are steadily de- risking the Project and building momentum toward a
construction decision. We’re also proud of the collaborative progress we’ve made with the
community to-date and will continue to facilitate a producti ve dialogue. We are grateful for the
community enthusiasm in response to our engagement efforts.”
First Long-Lead Order Placed for Bandeira’s Substation Transformer
The Company has issued its first long- lead equipment order at Bandeira for the main power
138/13.8 kV transformer that will serve the Project’s internal substation, to be supplied by Brazil-
based manufacturer Blutrafos. As one of the longer -lead items required ahead of construction,
securing it now provides early certainty on a critical-path component and reflects the Company’s
transition into the procurement and execution phase of the Project. Lithium Ionic expects to issue
further updates as additional long-lead packages move through tendering and award.
Ongoing Community Engagement
Lithium Ionic has invested significant time and resources in building relationships with the
neighboring communities of the Bandeira Project. This engagement has been hands -on and
community led. Through a series of in- person meetings and participatory workshops, residents
have helped shape how the Project advances.
Lithium Ionic also held a series of impact assessment workshops with the community, facilitated
by independent consultancy H&P. Through a structured, collective listening process, the
workshops mapped impact perceptions associated with the Bandeira Project.
On April 26, 2026, representatives from Lithium Ionic delivered an in- person presentation of the
Bandeira Project to the community, a roughly three- hour session attended by 145 people. The
team walked through the project's operational aspects in plain, acc essible language, discussed
potential socio-environmental impacts alongside the measures planned to prevent and mitigate
them, and gave community members space to ask questions and share their views throughout.
At the gatherings, Lithium Ionic has contracted community members themselves to provide
catering, transportation, photographic documentation, first aid, and activities for children,
reflecting the Company's commitment to generating local benefit from the earliest stages of
engagement. The Company intends to continue prioritizing local hiring, shared prosperity, and
open dialogue with its neighbors as Bandeira moves toward construction.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Lithium Ionic Corp.
Blake Hylands
Chief Executive Officer, Director
+1 647.316.2500
About Lithium Ionic Corp.
Lithium Ionic is a Canadian lithium development company focused on responsibly advancing its
100%-owned Bandeira Lithium Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil, a region coined the “Lithium
Valley” that is emerging as a world-class hard-rock lithium district. The Company is executing on
a focused development strategy centered on engineering de- risking, permitting advancement,
commercial planning, and construction readiness, with the goal of becoming a near-term producer
of high-quality spodumene concentrate for global battery supply chains.
Qualified Persons
The contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Blake Hylands, P.Geo.,
CEO and director of Lithium Ionic, who is a “qualified person” as defined in National Instrument
43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Hylands is not considered independent
of the Company.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable secu-
rities laws. All statements contained herein that are not historical in nature contain forward-looking
information. Forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as “may”,
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recent regulatory proceedings, the Company’s ability to finance and develop the Bandeira project,
the prospectivity and development of the Company’s mineral properties, the ability of the Com-
pany to become a near-term lithium producer and the Company’s future plans. There can be no
assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events
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including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual
results to differ materi ally from the forward -looking information in this news release. Additional
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