Lithium Ionic Corp. [LTH-TSXV; LTHCF-OTCQB; H3N-FSE] reported initial assay results from Itira as well as infill drilling results from Bandeira. These are two targets presently being drilled within the company’s large portfolio of properties which cover 14,182 hectares in the emerging, prolific lithium-producing region in northern Minas Gerais State, Brazil.
Bandeira and Itira are located approximately 8 km from each other in the same district where CBL’s Cachoeira mine has been producing lithium for +30 years, and recent producer Sigma Lithium operates the Grota do Cirillo project, which hosts the largest hard rock lithium deposit in the Americas (see Figure 1 location map).
Highlights: 1.19% Li2O over 8.9m (hole EXDD-23-011); 1.64% Li2O over 5.9m (hole EXDD-23-010).
Bandeira Infill Drill Intercept Highlights: 1.44% Li2O over 6.9m (hole ITDD-23-137); 1.59% Li2O over 5.9m (hole ITDD-23-132); 1.85% Li2O over 5m (hole ITDD-23-144); 2.24% Li2O over 3.1m (hole ITDD-23-134) and 1.01% Li2O over 7.1m (hole ITDD-23-138)
Blake Hylands, P.Geo., CEO, commented, “Itira is a large property covering over 3,100 hectares and located just a few kilometres from our Outro Lado deposit. While we are encouraged by the few strong intersections obtained so far, there are several other planned drill targets which show very strong potential, including the northern portion of the property which returned soil anomalies with the highest lithium values. Numerous outcropping spodumene-bearing pegmatites have been identified on the property and further confirmed by sampling trenches, and these will methodically be drill tested in the coming months. Itira drilling is progressing on a similar track to the start at Bandeira, whereby the technical team is developing the geological model with the early drill holes, and this will guide the exploration program as the project progresses. Our drill program at Bandeira is progressing well as we continue to improve drill spacing to upgrade the classification of our mineral resources in an updated mineral resource estimate we plan to deliver along with a Preliminary Economic Assessment in the coming months.”
The results announced today are part of a 50,000-metre expansion and definition drilling program underway for H2 2023, following the release of an initial mineral resource estimate (MRE) in late June 2023 at the Bandeira and Outro Lado deposits of 7.57 million tonnes grading 1.40% lithium oxide (Li2O) of Measured and Indicated (M&I) and 11.86Mt grading 1.44% Li2O of Inferred resources.
The company is focused on rapidly advancing its Bandeira and Outro Lado lithium deposits (Itinga Project) towards production, while it continues to define and expand regional targets. 13 drills are currently operating at four different drill sites. Project engineering is underway by independent Brazilian consultant, GE21 Consultoria Mineral Ltda., with a PEA expected in the coming months. Concurrently, WSP (formerly Golder) is expected to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment for the Itinga Project by year-end, which will enable the Company to initiate the environmental licensing process.
Lithium Ionic’s flagship Itinga and Salinas projects 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.
