Infrastructure & Permitting

Mining-Friendly Minas Gerais: Excellent Infrastructure & Streamlined Permitting

Minas Gerais state has a rich mining history, and as such has a traditional mining jurisdiction with a highly efficient permitting process. In July 2022, the Brazilian government issued a presidential decree allowing unrestricted trade of any products containing lithium. This new legislation simplifies foreign trade procedures on the export of lithium and its derivatives by eliminating the requirement to get clearance from the Science and Technology Ministry’s nuclear energy committee.

Moreover, In July 2023, The Itinga and Salinas projects were granted priority status by the state of Minas Gerais regional government bodies, facilitating support and acceleration of approvals and licensing through the development process towards mine operation and production. Read THIS press release to learn more.

The Itinga and Salinas projects are located within the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province (EBPP), a 150,000 km² area, stretching from the state of Bahia, through Minas Gerais, to Rio de Janeiro. Pegmatite gemstones were first found in the EBPP 400yrs ago, and in the last 100 years Brazil has produced most of the world’s supply of gem crystals and cut gemstones.

Lithium Ionic's claims cover ~17,000 hectares in northeastern Minas Gerais State, a Tier 1 mining region with excellent infrastructure, including low-cost, renewable hydroelectric power, access to water from the nearby Jequitinhonha River, excellent transport infrastructure and access to foreign markets via nearby commercial ports (Porto de Ilhéus and Porto de Vitória). Known as Brazil’s “Lithium Valley,” this region hosts the largest lithium reserves in the country and has emerged as a globally significant producer of high-purity spodumene concentrate. Bandeira is located just ~500m from CBL’s Cachoeira lithium mine and ~4km from Sigma Lithium’s Grota do Cirilo Mine.