Solis Minerals is poised to launch diamond drilling at its Mandacaru lithium prospect in Brazil this June, backed by robust geochemical data and expert technical support. Meanwhile, its Cinto Copper Project in Peru has secured final drilling approvals, marking a significant step in the company’s 2026 exploration campaign.
- Diamond drilling to start June 2026 at Mandacaru lithium prospect
- Campo Grande lithium target also drill-ready with access progressing
- Strong lithium and LCT element anomalies support exploration confidence
- Cinto Copper Project in Peru receives final drilling approval
- Experienced technical team includes former Rio Tinto geologist
June Drilling Kickoff at Mandacaru
Solis Minerals (ASX:SLM) is gearing up to commence diamond drilling at its Mandacaru lithium prospect in Brazil’s Araçuaí–Salinas Lithium Valley in June 2026. The company has locked in a diamond drilling contractor with regional experience and plans an initial 2,000-metre scout drilling campaign before moving on to the nearby Campo Grande target. This operational milestone follows extensive groundwork, including securing land access agreements at Mandacaru and progressing access at Campo Grande.
Robust Geochemical Footprint and Technical Expertise
Both Mandacaru and Campo Grande are situated within the Neoproterozoic Salinas Formation, a geological setting known to host major spodumene-bearing lithium deposits. Soil and auger sampling have revealed coherent lithium anomalies peaking at 362 ppm Li at Mandacaru and 294 ppm Li at Campo Grande, accompanied by elevated tantalum, rubidium, caesium, and tin, classic pathfinder elements for Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatite systems.
Adding weight to the exploration program, a former senior Rio Tinto geologist who originally identified and advanced these targets is consulting on field activities, ensuring continuity between Rio Tinto’s extensive datasets and Solis Minerals’ drilling plans. This technical collaboration enhances confidence in the drill targets and underpins the company’s strategy to unlock value in one of the world’s most prospective hard-rock lithium belts.
Strategic Positioning within Araçuaí–Salinas Lithium Valley
Solis Minerals’ tenure in the region is adjacent to PLS Group Ltd (ASX:PLS), which holds the Colina Lithium Project discovered by members of Solis’ senior leadership. PLS is also the company’s largest shareholder and has a collaboration agreement that grants it participation rights in the Brazil Lithium Project. This proximity and relationship position Solis Minerals well to leverage regional synergies and technical know-how, building on the momentum from its drill-ready lithium targets and recent acquisition announcements.
Cinto Copper Project Advances in Peru
Meanwhile, Solis Minerals has received final approval to commence diamond drilling at its Cinto Copper Project in Peru, an advanced porphyry target located near major mines operated by Southern Copper and Anglo American. This regulatory green light follows a series of positive developments, including the acquisition of additional copper assets and a successful capital raise earlier in the year. The Cinto Project drilling is expected to complement the company’s lithium focus with copper exposure in a region known for large-scale deposits, reinforcing Solis Minerals’ diversified South American energy metals portfolio.
The company expects to complete surface mapping and drill planning imminently, with assay results from the Brazil lithium drilling anticipated approximately six to eight weeks after commencement. These next steps will provide critical data points to assess the potential scale and quality of the lithium mineralisation, while the Peru copper program moves towards its own maiden drill campaign.
Bottom Line?
Solis Minerals is advancing from exploration groundwork to active drilling in two key South American jurisdictions, setting the stage for assay results that will test the promise of its lithium and copper projects in 2026.
Questions in the middle?
- Will assay results confirm the presence of economically viable lithium mineralisation at Mandacaru and Campo Grande?
- How quickly can Solis Minerals secure full land access at Campo Grande to maintain drilling momentum?
- What impact will evolving lithium and copper commodity prices have on the valuation of these early-stage projects?