Perpetual’s Brazil Exploration Faces High Stakes Amid Global Lithium Race

Exploration Momentum Builds in Brazil’s Lithium Valley

Perpetual Resources Ltd (ASX – PEC) has announced the commencement of a comprehensive exploration program targeting lithium-bearing pegmatites across its Igrejinha and Renaldinho projects in Minas Gerais, Brazil. This initiative follows the company’s recent breakthrough discovery of a highly fertile lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite system at the Morro Grande prospect within the Igrejinha licence area.

The program is designed to systematically map and sample the geological environment, with a focus on expanding the footprint of the lithium system and identifying new zones for follow-up drilling. Over the next three months, Perpetual plans to collect 356 soil samples across two priority areas; 314 at Morro Grande and 42 at the Southeast Anomaly; alongside detailed geological mapping and rock chip sampling.

Building on High-Grade Polymetallic Discoveries

Recent drilling at Morro Grande revealed standout intercepts including tin grades reaching the upper detection limit at 2.5%, significant tungsten, caesium, tantalum, and lithium mineralisation. These results underscore the polymetallic nature of the pegmatite system and its potential to host economically valuable concentrations of critical minerals essential for new energy technologies.

Perpetual’s exploration strategy leverages these findings by targeting extensions of the Gonçalves lithium field, operated by Lithium Ionic, which may continue into Perpetual’s licence area. The soil sampling grids are designed to detect pathfinder elements such as caesium, tin, tungsten, and lithium, which help delineate the extent and continuity of the pegmatite bodies.

Dual Focus on Igrejinha and Renaldinho Projects

While the bulk of the soil sampling is concentrated at Igrejinha, a parallel geological and geochemical mapping program is underway at Renaldinho, where previous reconnaissance identified spodumene-bearing pegmatites and artisanal workings. This dual approach aims to generate integrated datasets that will inform the prioritisation of drill targets across both projects.

Perpetual’s newly appointed Brazilian exploration team is leading the field operations, adhering to stringent safety, environmental, and community engagement protocols. The company emphasises best-practice standards in sample collection and data management, ensuring the integrity and sustainability of its exploration activities.

Looking Ahead – Data Integration and Drilling Plans

As soil sampling and mapping progress, Perpetual intends to integrate the geochemical data to identify new lithium anomalies. These will guide targeted trenching and diamond drilling campaigns expected to commence in the near term. Executive Chairman Julian Babarczy highlighted the importance of this phase, noting it as a critical step in unlocking the broader potential of their Brazilian portfolio and enabling a steady flow of exploration milestones.

With Brazil’s Lithium Valley gaining increasing attention as a globally significant source of lithium, Perpetual’s methodical approach positions it well to capitalise on the growing demand for critical minerals underpinning the energy transition.