In 2025, Lithium Ionic Corp. achieved significant expansion of its global mineral resources, underpinning its position as one of Brazil’s premier hard-rock lithium developers. Updated estimates at the Bandeira and Baixa Grande projects boosted consolidated Measured & Indicated resources to 36.76 Mt grading 1.31 % Li₂O, with an additional 31.87 Mt at 1.19 % Li₂O in the Inferred category. At Bandeira alone, M&I tonnage rose by 30 % year-over-year to 27.27 Mt at 1.34 % Li₂O (equivalent to 901 kt LCE), while Baixa Grande M&I climbed 11.3 % to 6.52 Mt at 1.11 % Li₂O, demonstrating robust exploration success and resource optionality across LTUM’s flagship and satellite assets.

September’s updated NI 43-101 Feasibility Study for Bandeira delivered a simplified, lower-risk plant design and extended mine life to 18.5 years—up from 14—driven by the enlarged resource base and optimized mine sequencing. Key metrics include a post-tax NPV (8 %) of US $1.45 billion and IRR of 61 %, both up materially from prior projections, alongside a 28 % reduction in initial CAPEX to US $191 million. Site operating costs were estimated at US $378 per tonne of spodumene concentrate, with a payback period of just 2.2 years, positioning Bandeira among the world’s lowest-cost hard-rock lithium operations.

LTUM fortified its balance sheet with an oversubscribed private placement raising CAD $18.3 million in late 2025, securing support from long-term investors and enabling pre-development activities through early 2026. Concurrently, the engagement of RTEK International DMCC integrated seasoned lithium-project engineers into the owners team; RTEK partner Brian Talbot now oversees execution readiness. Detailed engineering reached 38 % completion by year-end, and LTUM expanded its technical leadership with the appointment of an ESG director to guide permitting, community engagement and regulatory alignment in Minas Gerais.

As LTUM enters 2026, its agenda focuses on finalizing environmental and mining permits, completing 100 % of basic and detailed engineering by mid-year, and securing project financing—anchored by definitive offtake agreements. Preparations for construction readiness include long-lead equipment procurement and early site works. These efforts target a Final Investment Decision that will mark LTUM’s transition from development into construction, with the objective of becoming a near-term supplier of high‐quality spodumene concentrate to global battery manufacturers.