Solis Minerals has moved a step closer to maiden drilling at its newly acquired Brazilian lithium ground, locking in a June start for the diamond rig at its top priority Mandacaru and Campo Grande prospects.

The company says field activities in the famed Araçuaí–Salinas Lithium Valley have confirmed both prospects as high-confidence, drill-ready lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite targets, combined with standout soil and auger anomalies, all backed by lithium pathfinder goodies.

Notably, Solis has not walked into the district blindfolded.

The company has reunited much of the same dream team responsible for the original discovery of the neighbouring Colina lithium project, which ultimately became one of Brazil’s standout hard-rock lithium success stories before its sale to major PLS Group early last year.

In a handy bonus for Solis, the former Rio Tinto senior geologist who originally identified Mandacaru and Campo Grande has now joined the company in-country to help steer the next phase of exploration.

Historical work completed by the mining giant included extensive soil sampling, auger drilling and geological mapping, which collectively outlined compelling lithium anomalies directly adjacent to tenure now controlled by the $23 billion PLS - itself Solis’ biggest shareholder.

PLS not only sits on Solis’ register, it also maintains a right of first refusal over the project area in the event of a significant discovery, reflecting the strategic importance of the ground package immediately adjacent to its giant Colina development.

Adding to the thickening geological smoke, regional artisanal tantalite workings, accompanied by the lithium-bearing mineral amblygonite, have now been identified across the district, providing another strong indicator that the broader region hosts the coveted fertile LCT pegmatite system.

At Mandacaru, Rio Tinto’s fastidious soil sampling defined a multi-kilometre lithium anomaly peaking at 362 parts per million (ppm) lithium, with auger drilling confirming results by returning values up to 338ppm lithium.

More importantly, the deeper drilling also revealed a spike in tantalum, alongside elevated rubidium and tin - a classic geochemical fingerprint that exploration geologists use to vector towards buried spodumene-bearing pegmatites.

At Campo Grande, the prospect is shaping up similarly well. Auger drilling there has outlined a broad lithium halo extending more than 14 metres vertically, with peak values up to 294ppm lithium and additionally strong elevated rubidium, caesium and tin.

Notably, the lithium grades appear to increase with depth, a strong sign the mineralisation could be linked to the bedrock rather than transported surface material.

Solis says it is now completing final drill-collar planning across both projects while finalising logistics and mobilisation activities ahead of a June start to drilling.

The company says the program is fully funded, excluding its residual $2.5 million cash pile, and following a bargain-basement $500,000 acquisition cost for the project last month.

Solis Minerals is positioned incredibly well across lithium and copper with genuine potential for a large discovery. Commodity prices and outlook for both metals are structurally very attractive; positioning Solis Minerals very well for the remainder of 2026 with projects that have the potential to generate a valuable and major discovery for our shareholders.

Beyond Brazil, the company has been pushing forward on several copper developments in Peru, including its Cinto project, which it says is now fully approved for drilling.

Cinto sits in elite southern Peruvian company, neighbouring giant copper operations including Southern Copper’s Toquepala and Cuajone mines and Anglo American’s massive Quellaveco project.

The company plans to drill its key copper anomalies generated through surface geochemistry, magnetics and induced polarisation surveys after the initial Brazil lithium campaign wraps up.

With lithium and copper both firmly back in favour globally, Solis now finds itself with multiple near-term drill catalysts across two of South America’s premier metals jurisdictions.

With rigs about to hit the ground in Brazil and copper drill permits now secured in Peru, Solis looks to be transforming from a quiet explorer into a genuine multi-commodity discovery play.

If the company can replicate even a fraction of the success its technical team previously delivered in the region, the next few months could prove pivotal for the emerging South American explorer.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@wanews.com.au