Solis Minerals (ASX:SLM) has appointed a contractor to conduct diamond drilling at the Mandacaru prospect in the recently acquired Brazil Lithium Project, with the exploration campaign set to begin next month.
The company has planned an initial 2,000m of drilling at the prospect before the program moves to the Campo Grande prospect within the Araçuaí–Salinas Lithium Valley.
An exploration team was mobilised to the Brazil Lithium Project earlier this month, following a comprehensive technical review conducted by the previous vendor, as reported by Mining.com.au.
Solis describes the two prospects targeted in drilling as “high-confidence, drill-ready lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite targets”, with coherent soil and auger lithium anomalies supported by elevated LCT elements. The campaign is designed to address these anomalies directly.
The company acquired the Brazil Lithium Project in Minas Gerais from Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) subsidiary Desenvolvimentos Minerais in late April for a total purchase price of US$500,000 ($697,387).
A former Rio Tinto senior geologist — who is responsible for the original identification and advancement of the two prospects — is supporting Solis in this exploration campaign.
Solis has finalised the land access agreements for Mandacaru, with Campo Grande still progressing.
CEO Mitch Thomas says the company has received strong cooperation from local landowners, with experienced on-site technical support helping build momentum for the project.
“These steps position Solis Minerals well for the commencement of drilling in June 2026 as we move into the next phase of exploration in one of the world’s most prospective hard-rock lithium districts,” Thomas says.
“I will join the team in Brazil in June 2026 as we kick off drilling. Solis Minerals is positioned incredibly well across lithium and copper with genuine potential for a large discovery.
“Commodity prices and outlook for both metals are structurally very attractive, positioning Solis Minerals very well for the remainder of 2026 with projects that have the potential to generate a valuable and major discovery for our shareholders.”
Both metals are on the incline, with Trading Economics reporting copper at US$6.41 per pound and lithium at ¥183,250 per tonne on 26 May, representing a 33.56% and 193.2% increase, respectively, for this year over year.
Solis Minerals is a mineral explorer focused on uncovering discoveries with potential for copper mineralisation in South America.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Solis Minerals
