Update on Economics of Raleigh Lake Project in Ontario
Ontario Flagship Economics Resurrected by Lithium Price Rebound as Namibia Option Evaporates

The most recent news (January 9, 2026) provides a critical economic update for the flagship Raleigh Lake Project in Ontario. Based on a lithium carbonate spot price of USD $19,747/t (a recovery of 110% since June 2025) and a Spodumene (SC6) price of CAD $2,498.40/t, the project now shows a post-tax NPV (8%) of CAD $215.1 million and a post-tax IRR of 32.7%. This is a significant improvement over previous periods where weak prices rendered the project marginal. Concurrently, the company is rebranding from "International Lithium Corp." to "ILC Critical Minerals Ltd." to reflect a broader focus on rubidium, cesium, and copper. Operationally, the company has filed to convert mining claims at Raleigh Lake into a formal mining lease and is planning a 2026 work program to include a maiden PEA for the rubidium resource.
- Economic Viability: The material impact is highly positive regarding the flagship Raleigh Lake asset. An NPV of $215 million for a company with a market cap under $10 million suggests a massive valuation gap, provided the company can de-risk the project further.
- Strategy Shift/Setback: This positive news follows a major negative event on December 29, 2025, where an arbitration outcome went against Lepidico, effectively nullifying or severely compromising ILC’s option to acquire an 80% interest in the Karibib project in Namibia.
- Asset Concentration: The company is now firmly pivoted back to its Canadian assets. The loss of the "leapfrog" opportunity in Namibia means ILC is once again a development-stage story rather than a near-term producer story.
- Resource Diversification: The inclusion of Rubidium in the 2026 plan is material. If the Rubidium PEA (expected in 2026) shows favorable economics, it could significantly lower the "all-in sustaining cost" for lithium production through byproduct credits.
- Company: ILC Critical Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ILC).
- Flagship Project: Raleigh Lake, Kenora Mining District, Ontario.
- Details: 100% owned, 32,900 hectares. Royalty-free and unencumbered.
- Stage: Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).
- Commodities: Lithium (Spodumene) and Rubidium.