Solis Minerals (ASX:SLM) will make its 2026 priorities clear at this year’s RIU Sydney Resources Round-Up, CEO Mitch Thomas tells Mining.com.au ahead of the conference.
While reconnecting with existing shareholders and meeting new investors, Solis will explain its plan to conclude the year, including exploration and potential discovery across the company’s copper and lithium targets.
Solis’ main targets are at its Cinto and Cucho copper projects in Peru, along with the company’s lithium exploration portfolio in Brazil.
“RIU is a key event on the calendar — it has very high-quality attendees, companies, and supporting announcements in the lead-up,” Thomas says.
“Blending the West Australian-based companies with east coast investors creates a very productive environment.”
Held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney from 5–7 May 2026, the RIU Sydney Resources Round-Up acts as a forum for corporate mining investors.
Thomas will be presenting on behalf of Solis at the conference on Wednesday 6 May at 4.10pm AEST.
He describes the event as a “very efficient way” to get an idea of emerging companies and good ideas, with increased access to management and investors.
Solis will hold a number of meetings and lunches throughout the week, including its investor lunch in Melbourne to end the event week.
South American assets
Solis recently expanded its exploration pipeline with the acquisition of the Brazil Lithium Project in Minas Gerais, as reported by Mining.com.au.
The company acquired the asset for a total purchase price of US$500,000 ($694,161.4) from mining giant Rio Tinto’s (ASX:RIO) subsidiary, Desenvolvimentos Minerais.
The consideration will be paid on the signing of binding agreements, with Rio Tinto retaining a 1.75% net smelter return royalty for the project area.
Solis will conduct its due diligence on the project over a 14-day period, with legal ownership of concessions to be transferred upon completion.
Over in Peru, the company has two assets it is focused on this year.
Located in the southern Peruvian Copper Belt, the Cinto Copper Project comprises seven tenements across 3,200 hectares and is located 15km southeast of the Toquepala Mine.
Meanwhile, the Cucho Copper Project is situated 183km north-northwest of Lima, located in low-relief desert terrain.
Solis describes Cucho as a “compelling exploration and development opportunity”, which has historical datasets, drill-defined copper mineralisation from surface, and geological indicators of a ‘district-scale’ mineralised system.
Thomas expected the mining sector to perform “very well” for the remainder of this year.
“There has been a deficit of exploration spend on energy transition metals, and that bodes well for forward-looking copper and lithium prices,” Thomas explains.
Trading Economics reports copper at US$5.97 per pound as of today (1 May), representing a 30.29% increase year over year. Lithium has seen a dramatic 163.79% increase year over year, marked at ¥177,000 ($35,979.2) per tonne today.
Solis Minerals is a mineral explorer focused on uncovering discoveries with potential for copper mineralisation in South America.
Mining.com.au is a media partner for the RIU Sydney Resources Round-Up conference and will be in attendance at this year’s program.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Solis Minerals
