Lightning Minerals (“L1M” or “the Company”) is excited to announce the signing of a binding agreement to acquire Bengal Mining Pty Ltd (Bengal) which holds, via its wholly owned subsidiary Tigre Mineracao Ltda (Tigre) option agreements over two lithium projects, Caraíbas and Sidrônio (the Projects) in Brazil’s prolific Lithium Valley district in the state of Minas Gerais (Proposed Acquisition).
The Company views the Proposed Acquisition as transformative for its future, leveraging the strategic proximity of the projects to Latin Resources’ (ASX: LRS) Colina project1 hosting 70.3Mt @ 1.27% Li2O and Sigma Lithium’s (NASDAQ: SGML) Grota do Cirilo project2 hosting 108.9Mt @ 1.41% Li2O. The Projects have been acquired from Bengal, a privately held Australian company which holds exclusive options across all seven (7) tenements totalling 3,372 Ha.
HIGHLIGHTS
Projects located in the prolific Lithium Valley region of Minas Gerais 20km south of Latin Resources’ (ASX: LRS) Colina projectMultiple pegmatites have been identified at the Caraíbas Project, with peak lithium rock chip assay results grading up to 0.53% Li2O (lepidolite)Significant tantalum (1,245ppm), rubidium (1,175ppm) and caesium (1,455ppm) rock chip assay results are considered positive exploration indicatorsStrong aeromagnetic geophysical trends correlate with regional mineralised trendsProjects lie within geology of the Salinas Formation which hosts other lithium Resources in the regionProposed Transaction based on 5Mt, 10Mt and 20Mt Resource milestones presenting significant upside at both a project and company level demonstrating vendor confidenceOversubscribed placement of A$1.5M at A$0.07 per share to facilitate work programField work to commence as soon as deal completion and approval at Company EGMAccess to a seasoned field team that holds significant local IP, providing invaluable fieldwork expertise and insights
The Company is planning to begin on-ground works as soon as the Proposed Acquisition is finalised. Early-stage reconnaissance works indicate presence of lithium bearing minerals (lepidolite) with the immediate strategy to now confirm potential and then test via drilling. The Projects are subject to an exclusive option agreement that allows the Company flexibility in its exploration approach to determine the most prospective opportunities that it sees most value in based on initial work programs.
Lightning Minerals Managing Director Alex Biggs said, “This Proposed Acquisition represents a significant transaction for the Company. We believe in the lithium thematic and see now as a great opportunity to acquire highly prospective projects in known and established lithium regions. Minas Gerais in Brazil has emerged as a proven lithium hub with the acquisition located in close proximity to the world class lithium resources of Latin Resources’ (ASX: LRS) Colina project and Sigma Lithium’s (NASDAQ: SGML) Grota do Cirilo project. The Project presents some excellent early indicators of lithium mineralisation with prospective underlying geology that offers clear exploration targets. As part of the transaction we welcome new key shareholders, to the Company and look forward to the next stage of evolution of the business. It is exciting to see the Company developing and expanding our influence; we now have projects in three of the predominant lithium regions in the world: Dundas in Western Australia, Quebec in Canada and Mina Gerais in Brazil. We look forward to starting our on-ground works in Brazil and also progressing works on our other projects in Western Australia and Canada”.
About the Projects and Minas Gerais as a Lithium Region
The Projects are located in the Lithium Valley region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Projects cover 3,372 Ha comprising seven (7) exploration licences and are located approximately 20km south of Latin Resources’ (ASX: LRS) Colina lithium project and 60km north-west of Signa Lithium’s (NASDAQ: SGML) Grota do Cirilo project (Figure 1). The region has emerged as one of the world’s premier lithium districts over the past few years and presents significant exploration potential.
The Company will benefit from access to a seasoned ground team, providing invaluable fieldwork expertise and insights, enhancing the Company’s strategic approach to exploration. Relationships the Company already has in the region will help facilitate project growth and advancement.
Minas Gerais is Brazil’s third largest economy with over 300 mines operating in the state with tier-1 operators including Vale, BHP and Rio Tinto. The state boasts a strong mining labour pool and presents a cost competitive jurisdiction for exploration and project development with mature infrastructure, hydro power and road access.
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