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Resource Estimate

Lithium Ionic terminates K2 option, grants RSUs

By The Northwire Desk — AI Analysis Jan 14, 2026 · 16:07 LTH · 1.35 Lithium Ionic Corp.
LTH · Price

Executive Summary

  • Lithium Ionic Corp. released its 2025 Year in Review, highlighting significant progress in advancing its flagship Bandeira lithium project toward construction, including an updated feasibility study with improved economics and expanded mineral resources.
  • The company closed an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement in late 2025 totaling $18.3 million to strengthen its balance sheet for predevelopment activities.
  • Key operational milestones include the engagement of RTEK International as a strategic adviser, the appointment of an ESG Director, and the termination of the K2 Mineracao option agreement to focus capital on core assets.

Key Details

  • Mineral Resource Estimates (Consolidated):
    • Measured and Indicated (M&I): 36.76 million tonnes at 1.31% Li2O.
    • Inferred: 31.87 million tonnes at 1.19% Li2O.
  • Bandeira Project (Flagship Asset) Resource Update:
    • M&I: 27.27 million tonnes at 1.34% Li2O (901,000 tonnes LCE).
    • Inferred: 18.55 million tonnes at 1.34% Li2O (615,000 tonnes LCE).
    • Represents a 30% increase in M&I tonnage compared to the May 2024 feasibility study.
  • Baixa Grande Project Resource Update:
    • M&I: 6.52 million tonnes at 1.11% Li2O (11.3% increase vs. April 2024).
    • Inferred: 12.90 million tonnes at 0.96% Li2O (45% increase vs. April 2024).
  • Optimized Feasibility Study Outcomes (September 2025):
    • Mine Life: Extended to 18.5 years (from 14 years).
    • Post-tax NPV (8%): $1.45 billion USD.
    • Post-tax IRR: 61% (up from 40%).
    • Initial Capex: $191 million USD (down ~28% from prior study).
    • Operating Costs: $378 USD per tonne of spodumene concentrate.
    • Payback Period: Reduced to 2.2 years.
    • Engineering Status: ~38% completion of basic and detailed engineering by year-end; 100% expected by mid-2026.
  • Financing:
    • Closed an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement in late 2025.
    • Total Gross Proceeds: $18.3 million USD.
    • Use of Proceeds: Advancing permitting, detailed engineering, and predevelopment activities.
  • Strategic Partnerships & Leadership:
    • Engaged RTEK International DMCC as a strategic adviser for construction readiness and operational execution; Brian Talbot (Partner) overseeing development.
    • Appointed Flavia Veronese as Director of ESG to lead permitting and community engagement strategies.
  • Asset Divestiture:
    • Terminated the option agreement with K2 Mineracao e Exportacao EIRELI and related parties for mineral claims in Itinga, Minas Gerais.
    • Neolit Minerals Participacoes Ltda. divested minority interests in associated special-purpose companies (SPCs).
  • Equity Incentives:
    • Granted 9.8 million Restricted Share Units (RSUs) to directors and officers.
    • Vesting: Annual equal installments over a three-year period starting one year from the grant date.
    • Subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

Notable Quotes

  • Blake Hylands, CEO: "Lithium Ionic has moved decisively beyond concept and optimization, and is now firmly in an execution phase. Bandeira is a technically mature, economically compelling project located in one of the world's lowest-cost hard-rock lithium regions and our focus is on converting that strength into a producing operation."
  • Blake Hylands, CEO: "Our objective is clear: advance through permitting and financing, and bring this project into construction with discipline and confidence."
Read the original news release →

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Lithium Ionic advances Bandeira engineering to 65% while navigating a $30 million royalty burden and derivative litigation overhang.

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