Solis Minerals Ltd (TSX-V:SLMN, ASX:SLM, OTCQB:SLMFF, FRA:08WA) earlier this week outlined progress at its Brazil Lithium Project, where it has mobilised exploration teams to advance targets ahead of a planned June 2026 drilling campaign.
Chief executive Mitch Thomas said the company had moved quickly to establish a presence on the ground at the Mandacaru and Campo Grande prospects, with a clear 60-day roadmap in place. He explained that near-term activities are focused on securing land access, completing surface mapping and refining drill targets using historical datasets.
Thomas highlighted the significant advantage provided by previous exploration conducted by Rio Tinto, which assessed the projects over a three-year period. He noted that access to this data, including soil and rock samples as well as prior drilling information, had effectively accelerated Solis Minerals’ pathway to drilling, describing the assets as “drill ready.”
The company is targeting the Araçuaí–Salinas Lithium Valley in Minas Gerais, a region that has emerged as a globally important lithium hub. Thomas pointed out that Solis Minerals holds a substantial land position in the district, offering exposure to multiple exploration opportunities.
Encouragingly, early-stage fieldwork has identified consistent lithium mineralisation at surface, supported by the presence of pathfinder elements that may indicate a larger system at depth. Thomas said the company was “very optimistic about what we’ll find,” with upcoming drilling set to test these subsurface targets.
The proximity of the Mandacaru and Campo Grande prospects, located approximately 18 kilometres apart, is expected to support efficient operations, enabling shared resources and streamlined logistics. Solis Minerals holds 100% ownership of both concessions, providing flexibility in exploration planning.
Looking ahead, the key catalyst for investors will be the commencement of diamond drilling in June, which is expected to deliver the first subsurface insights into the scale and grade potential. Positive drilling results could significantly enhance the company’s position within the competitive Lithium Valley landscape.
Key highlights
- Solis Minerals has mobilised its exploration team to Brazil Lithium Project
- Focus on Mandacaru and Campo Grande prospects
- Drilling campaign targeted to begin in June 2026
- Work underway: land access, surface mapping, drill planning
- Significant historical data from Rio Tinto provides major advantage
- Strong surface lithium grades and pathfinder elements identified
- Potential larger mineralised system at depth
- Two priority targets located 18km apart enable operational efficiency
- Located in Brazil’s highly prospective Lithium Valley
- Company holds 100% ownership of key concessions
Proactive: Solis Minerals has moved its exploration team onto site at its newly acquired Brazil Lithium project, with work underway to refine targets and prepare for an initial drilling campaign. Here to discuss that campaign is CEO Mitch Thomas. Mitch, good to see you.
Mitch Thomas: Great to see you again, Jonathan.
Proactive: Walk us through what happens between now and that first drill hole in June.
Mitch Thomas: We’ve put out an announcement laying out a roadmap for the next 60 days. The good news is we’ve mobilised very rapidly, with a strong team on the ground at Mandacaru and also spending time at Campo Grande. Our objectives are to secure land access agreements, which are progressing well, complete surface mapping, and consolidate all historical data into a drill plan. The final milestone is mobilising for drilling, with a target to begin in June 2026.
Proactive: How much of a head start does the historical work give you?
Mitch Thomas: A massive head start. Rio Tinto worked on these projects for about three years and provided all their technical data, including soil samples, rock samples and drill data. Having that level of work saves us significant time and money, and both Mandacaru and Campo Grande are essentially drill-ready.
Proactive: You’re seeing lithium grades improving with depth—does that point to a potential hard rock discovery?
Mitch Thomas: The surface lithium grades are very positive, especially from soil samples. We’re also seeing pathfinder elements that suggest a potentially larger and higher-grade source below surface, which drilling will test. Overall, we’re very optimistic.
Proactive: There are two priority targets. How are you managing that?
Mitch Thomas: We have 100% ownership of both Mandacaru and Campo Grande, which are about 18km apart. Their proximity allows us to share teams and operate efficiently. It gives us two opportunities for a large-scale discovery.
Proactive: You’re operating in Brazil’s Lithium Valley. How important is that?
Mitch Thomas: It’s a highly competitive and prospective region with strong peers. We also have one of the largest landholdings in the area. There’s significant opportunity here, and we’re hopeful of making another major discovery.
Proactive: Thanks for your time.
Mitch Thomas: Thank you.