The program marks the first stage of SQMi’s three-phase earn-in agreement. Under the first stage, SQMi will fund up to US$7 million in exploration to secure an initial 30% interest in the project. Across all stages, SQMi has the potential to invest up to US$40 million.

The 14,000-metre program will test high-priority lithium targets within the Lithium Ridge mining licence , where new spodumene- bearing pegmatities have already been identified.

Lithium Ridge is strategically located 35 kilometres from Andrada’s Uis tin mine and hosts multiple lithium-bearing pegmatites, with tin and tantalum credits also present. The drilling campaign of around 120 holes is designed to determine the depth extensions and continuity mineralisation, providing critical data to enhance geological understanding and assess the project’s large-scale potential. The campaign is built on historical results of up to 2.13% Li₂O along a 6 km mineralised ridgeline from previous drilling programmes.

This milestone reflects SQMi’s strategy to expand global exploration activity, diversify supply sources and support the development of high-quality, large-scale lithium projects that enable the clean energy transition.