Lithium Ionic Reports Exceptional Drill Results from Bandeira of 1.25% Li2O over 50m, 1.46% Li2O over 40m, 1.86% Li2O over 24m and 2.13% Li2O Over 20m; Minas Gerais, Brazil; Not included in latest MRE

Rhea-AI Summary

Lithium Ionic Corp. announces exceptional drill results from Bandeira in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with high-grade lithium intercepts. The results include 1.25% Li2O over 49.8m, 1.46% Li2O over 40m, 1.86% Li2O over 24.1m, and 2.13% Li2O over 20.4m. These results, not included in the latest mineral resource estimate, demonstrate the potential for further project expansion. The Feasibility Study for Bandeira is nearing completion, with a focus on advancing the project towards production. A Preliminary Economic Assessment supports the viability of the project, with a post-tax NPV 8% of US$1.6 billion and an IRR of 121%. The Company expects LAC approval in early Q3 2024, paving the way for construction to begin.

Positive

• The high-grade lithium intercepts from Bandeira showcase the project's growth potential, with values of 1.25% Li2O over 49.8m and 2.13% Li2O over 20.4m, among others.

Negative

• The results from holes ITDD-23-201, ITDD-23-237, and ITDD-24-263 did not yield significant intersections, indicating potential areas of lower mineralization.

TORONTO, April 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lithium Ionic Corp. (TSXV: LTH; OTCQX: LTHCF; FSE: H3N) (“Lithium Ionic” or the “Company”) is pleased to report new assay results for 23 drill holes from its Feasibility-stage Bandeira Lithium Project (“Bandeira” or the “Project”), situated in northern Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in a world-class hard rock lithium district known as the “Lithium Valley”, where two lithium producers currently operate.

Highlights from the latest high-grade results from Bandeira, include:

• Intercept highlights:
  • 1.25% Li2O over 49.8m, incl. 1.46% Li2O over 27m; intersected from ~55m downhole (hole ITDD-23-213)
  • 1.46% Li2O over 40m, incl. 2.02% Li2O over 6m, 1.83% Li2O over 7m and 3.38% Li2O over 5m; intersected from ~147m downhole (hole ITDD-24-259)
  • 1.86% Li2O over 24.1m; intersected from ~180m downhole (hole ITDD-24-256)
  • 2.13% Li2O over 20.4m, incl. 2.62% Li2O over 10.4m and 3.78% Li2O over 3.3m; intersected from ~175m downhole (hole ITDD-24-260)
  • 2.03% Li2O over 18.6m; intersected from ~189m downhole (hole ITDD-24-257)
  • 1.93% Li2O over 11.5m and 1.31% Li2O over 12.5m, incl. 2.04% Li2O over 6m (hole ITDD-24-262)
• Bandeira currently hosts a mineral resource estimate (“MRE”) of 41.93Mt, or 70% of the Company’s total global mineral resources of 60.1Mt*   
• High-grade results from the seven holes, ITDD-24-256 to ITDD-24-262, were not included in the mineral resource estimate announced on April 12, 2024
  

*See press release dated April 12, 2024, for details related to the Bandeira MRE (effective date of Jan. 10, 2024; QP: Carlos Silva of GE21); See press release dated April 4, 2024 for details related to the Salinas MRE (effective date of January 4, 2024; QP: Leonardo Soares, P.Geo., M.Sc., of GE21); and the NI 43-101 compliant technical reports related to the Outro Lado deposit titled “Mineral Resource Estimate for Lithium Ionic, Itinga Project” (effective date of June 24, 2023; authored by Maxime Dupéré, B. Sc., P.Geo. and Faisal Sayeed, B. Sc., P.Geo).

Blake Hylands, P.Geo., CEO of Lithium Ionic, commented, “We continue to unlock further value at Bandeira with these latest high-grade results, some of which were not included in our latest MRE that expanded the total tonnes of the deposit over 42% from 29.5Mt to 41.9Mt. As we approach the completion of our Feasibility Study for Bandeira, these results highlight the potential for further expansion of the Project. We continue to prioritize the advancement of Bandeira to production and look forward to delivering significant milestones towards this goal in the near-term.”

Bandeira is a 175-hectare property, which represents only ~1% of its large 14,182-hectare land package. Bandeira currently hosts a NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate (“MRE”) of 23.68Mt grading 1.34% Li2O (785kt LCE) in the Measured and Indicated category, in addition to 18.25Mt grading 1.37% Li2O (618kt LCE) in the Inferred category (See April 12, 2024 press release).

A Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) based on a previous mineral resource estimate of ~29.5Mt, ~30% smaller than it is today, was completed in October 2023. This study supported a long-life and low-cost spodumene concentrate mining project with a post-tax Net Present Value (“NPV”) 8% of US$1.6 billion (~C$2.2 billion) and an Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) of 121% (see press release dated October 19, 2023 or Technical Report HERE).

The Company is rapidly advancing Bandeira towards a production decision. A Feasibility Study for Bandeira is currently being finalized by AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin) and is expected for completion in May 2024. Furthermore, the Company expects an approval for the Concomitant Environmental and Installation License (“LAC”, or Licença Ambiental Concomitante in Portuguese) in early Q3 2024. The LAC approval will grant the Company an environmental and social license for Bandeira and an authorization to begin construction.

Table 1. Bandeira Drill Results

Hole ID	Az	Dip	From	To	Metres	Li2O (%)
ITDD-23-159	150	-50	287.50	289.55	2.05	1.28
and			287.50	292.65	5.15	0.98
and			350.16	353.08	2.92	0.89
and			372.21	380.34	8.13	1.59
and			425.97	437.60	11.63	1.40
and			445.38	450.94	5.56	1.52
and			457.04	458.75	1.71	1.72
and			464.98	468.50	3.52	2.17
ITDD-23-191	150	-60	53.51	58.65	5.14	1.71
ITDD-23-195	150	-60	80.91	86.51	5.60	0.86
ITDD-23-197	150	-60	77.08	80.44	3.36	0.95
and			97.91	102.40	4.49	1.76
ITDD-23-209	0	-90	41.61	51.61	10.00	1.21
Including			41.61	45.61	4.00	1.56
ITDD-23-213	0	-90	54.87	104.71	49.84	1.25
Including			54.87	59.87	5.00	1.37
Including			66.67	93.67	27.00	1.46
ITDD-23-246	330	-50	45.70	50.70	5.00	1.17
ITDD-23-247	0	-90	86.62	95.62	9.00	1.02
including			86.62	89.62	3.00	1.62
ITDD-23-248	330	-45	71.41	76.41	5.00	1.02
ITDD-23-249	330	-85	122.10	124.10	2.00	0.56
ITDD-24-250	330	-65	43.42	49.42	6.00	1.09
including			43.42	47.42	4.00	1.26
ITDD-24-251	330	-80	193.16	197.00	3.84	1.28
ITDD-24-252	330	-50	94.07	100.07	6.00	1.25
ITDD-24-253	0	90	181.75	188.30	6.55	1.01
including			181.75	184.63	2.88	1.39
ITDD-24-255	150	-72	143.39	143.93	0.54	0.85
ITDD-24-254	0	90	90.69	94.04	3.35	0.77
and			95.54	98.50	2.96	0.98
and			125.73	132.87	7.14	1.33
ITDD-24-256	330	-85	179.69	203.80	24.11	1.86
ITDD-24-257	330	-85	189.17	207.78	18.61	2.03
ITDD-24-258	0	-90	105.66	108.66	3.00	1.53
and			116.44	122.44	6.00	1.34
ITDD-24-259	330	-65	146.95	186.95	40.00	1.46
Including			146.95	152.95	6.00	2.02
Including			159.95	166.95	7.00	1.83
Including			181.95	186.95	5.00	3.38
ITDD-24-260	330	-65	175.05	195.44	20.39	2.13
Including			177.05	180.30	3.25	3.78
Including			185.05	195.44	10.39	2.62
ITDD-24-261	0	-90	148.31	157.31	9.00	1.49
ITDD-24-262	330	-80	220.00	231.45	11.45	1.93
and			240.77	248.16	7.39	1.75
and			255.00	267.48	12.48	1.31
including			260.00	266.00	6.00	2.04

**No significant intersections in holes ITDD-23-201, ITDD-23-237 and ITDD-24-263

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Lithium Ionic Corp.

Blake Hylands
Chief Executive Officer, Director

About Lithium Ionic Corp.

Lithium Ionic is a Canadian mining company exploring and developing its lithium properties in Brazil. Its Itinga and Salinas group of properties cover 14,182 hectares in the northeastern part of Minas Gerais state, a mining-friendly jurisdiction that is quickly emerging as a world-class hard-rock lithium district. Its Feasibility-stage Bandeira Project is situated in the same region as CBL’s Cachoeira lithium mine, which has produced lithium for +30 years, as well as Sigma Lithium Corp.’s Grota do Cirilo project, which hosts the largest hard-rock lithium deposit in the Americas.

Quality Assurance and Control

During the drill program, assay samples were taken from NQ core and sawed in half. One-half was sent for assaying at SGS Laboratory, a certified independent commercial laboratory, and the other half was retained for results, cross checks, and future reference. A strict QA/QC program was applied to all samples. Every sample was processed with Drying, crushing from 75% to 3 mm, homogenization, quartering in Jones, spraying 250 to 300 g of sample in steel mill 95% to 150. SGS laboratory carried out multi-element analysis for ICP90A analysis.

Qualified Persons

The technical information in this news release has been prepared by Carlos Costa, Vice President Exploration of Lithium Ionic and Blake Hylands, CEO and director of Lithium Ionic, who are both “qualified persons” as defined in NI 43-101. Mr. Costa and Mr. Hylands have both read and approved the content in this news release.

Investor and Media Inquiries:

+1 647.316.2500
info@lithiumionic.com

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 expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. When used in this press release, the words “estimate”, “project”, “belief”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “plan”, “predict”, “may” or “should” and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology 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 economic viability of the Bandeira, the mineralization and development of the Company’s mineral properties, the Company’s exploration program and other mining projects and prospects thereof, the Company’s ability to complete a Feasibility Study, the Company’s ability to complete an environmental impact assessment and obtain the requisite permitting and approvals and the Company’s future plans. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this 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 importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Information and links in this press release relating to other mineral resource companies are from their sources believed to be reliable, but that have not been independently verified by the Company.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

 

FAQ

What are the key highlights of the latest drill results from Bandeira in Minas Gerais, Brazil?

The highlights include high-grade lithium intercepts such as 1.25% Li2O over 49.8m and 2.13% Li2O over 20.4m.

What is the current status of the Feasibility Study for Bandeira?

The Feasibility Study for Bandeira is nearing completion, focusing on advancing the project towards production.

What financial assessment supports the viability of the project?

A Preliminary Economic Assessment indicates a post-tax NPV 8% of US$1.6 billion and an IRR of 121% for the project.

When is the expected approval for the Concomitant Environmental and Installation License (LAC) for Bandeira?

The Company anticipates LAC approval in early Q3 2024, allowing for construction to commence.