Solis Minerals (ASX:SLM) has commenced diamond drilling at the Mandacaru Lithium Project in Brazil’s Araçuaí Lithium Valley.
The company has launched a 10-hole, 2,000m program to test an approximately 800m lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite corridor in Minas Gerais state.
Drilling aims to test pegmatite continuity, geometry, and potential spodumene mineralisation at depth.
According to Solis Minerals, drill hole locations were selected using multiple datasets, including geological surface mapping, soil and rock chip geochemical anomalies, auger drilling results, and drone imagery.
CEO Mitch Thomas says the program marks a transition from acquisition to drill-testing one of the most ‘compelling’ lithium targets in the company’s portfolio.
“A combination of LCT anomalies across a defined [estimated] 800-metre corridor, supported by mapping and auger drilling, provides a strong technical basis for this program,” Thomas says.
The target features overlapping geochemical anomalies of lithium, caesium, tantalum, and beryllium. Solis Minerals says elevated caesium values indicate advanced magmatic fractionation, a key characteristic of spodumene-bearing pegmatite systems.
The company also notes that the target is supported by multi-element geochemistry and auger drilling results.
Mandacaru shares a similar geological signature to PLS’ (ASX:PLS) Colina Lithium Project, located approximately 100km to the southwest and discovered by the management team now leading Solis. Drilling at Mandacaru features two distinct fences, with individual holes reaching depths of around 200m.
In parallel, company directors have also approved a 2,500m diamond drilling program at the Cinto Copper Project in Peru, scheduled to begin in Q3 2026.
Further updates across both the Brazilian lithium and Peruvian copper projects are expected during the third quarter of this year.
Solis Minerals is an Australia-based explorer focused on battery metals in South America, with assets in Brazil and Peru.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Solis Minerals
