American Salars Lithium (CSE:USLI,OTC:USLIF, FWB:Z3P) is an exploration-stage company dedicated to acquiring, developing, and monetizing lithium brine projects across the Americas. With a clear focus on low-cost entry and scalable resource expansion, the company is executing a disciplined strategy to build a high-quality portfolio in strategic jurisdictions.
Central to American Salars’ vision is the conviction that lithium demand—driven by the accelerating adoption of electric vehicles and the rise of stationary energy storage solutions—is poised for significant long-term growth. The company is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on this trend, targeting assets with strong appeal to major producers and institutional investors.
Salar de PocitosSalar de Pocitos is the flagship asset of American Salars Lithium, situated in Argentina’s lithium-rich Puna region within Salta Province. The Pocitos 1 block spans 800 hectares and has shown strong lithium brine potential through historical drilling and testing. While a 760,000-ton inferred lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) resource was previously reported for the area—including Pocitos 2, which is not owned by American Salars—all contributing drill holes for that estimate were located within Pocitos 1, where the company holds 100 percent ownership.
Drilling at Pocitos 1 has encountered aquifers at depths between 365 and 407 meters, with lithium concentrations reaching up to 169 parts per million (ppm). Sustained brine flow rates were recorded for over five hours, and porosity tests on core samples returned strong results, ranging from 6 to 14 percent, further underscoring the project’s potential.
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American Salars Lithium Inc. ("AMERICAN SALARS" OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: USLI, OTC: ASALF, FWB: Z3P, WKN: A3E2NY ) announces the addition of Dr. Mark King PhD, PGeo, FGC, a world-renowned lithium brine expert, as a Technical Advisor and Qualified Person.
Dr. King is a hydrogeologist with 30+ years of international experience in groundwater modeling and geochemistry. For the past 15 years, he has specialized in exploration and evaluation of lithium brine projects. His strong chemistry and numerical modeling background has proven to be an excellent foundation for brine exploration and quantitative evaluation. Consequently, his resource and reserve estimation experience on major brine projects is now arguably the most extensive of any geologist, hydrogeologist, or engineer in the world.
Some notable past involvements include serving as a resource and/or reserve estimation Qualified Person for the following:
In addition, Dr. King and his team have conducted detailed due diligence reviews of 20+ advanced brine projects and reconnaissance reviews (and ranking) of 100+ greenfield to early-stage projects, in South America and the southern US. His technical team at GWI have advanced expertise in geological modelling, GIS, data management and 3D visualization. They will provide exploration and resource consulting services to American Salars from time to time.
R. Nick Horsley, CEO & Director States , "American Salars is yet again adding depth to its technical team. We are fortunate to welcome Dr. King and his team at GWI to American Salars and look forward to working together in our search for significant lithium salar projects. Mark is a globally recognized authority whose work has taken him to lithium brine projects throughout North and South America, and beyond."
About American Salars Lithium Inc.
About American Salars Lithium Inc. American Salars Lithium Inc. is an exploration company focused on exploring and developing high-value battery metals projects to meet the demands of the advancing electric vehicle market.
All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
"R. Nick Horsley "
R. Nick Horsley, CEO
For further information, please contact:
American Salars Lithium Inc.
Phone: 604.880.2189
E-Mail: info@americansalars.com
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding American Salar's intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits American Salars will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements' current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including American Salars results of exploration or review of properties that American Salars does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and American Salars assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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VANCOUVER, BC TheNewswire - MAY 7 th 2025 American Salars Lithium Inc. ("AMERICAN SALARS" OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: USLI, OTC: USLIF, FWB: Z3P, WKN: A3E2NY ) announces that it has commenced a Phase 2 sampling program on its 100% owned, highly prospective 18,083 Hectares (180 sq km) Hardrock LCT ("Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum") Pegmatite Project including Rare Earth Elements ("REEs") and Critical Minerals (the "Jaguaribe Project ").
The Jaguaribe Project is located in the Jaguaribe/Solonópole region in the State of Ceará, in Northern Brazil and hosts multiple extensive Lithium and REE bearing pegmatite dykes that have returned initial Phase 1 sample discoveries of up to 3.72% Li 2 O, 2.15% Li 2 O and 1.58% Li 2 O as well as 554.5 ppm of Cesium,
135 ppm of Tantalum, 177 ppm of Niobium. One sample showed high values for Rubidium (>10,000ppm); Tin (675 ppm) and Zinc (387ppm).
American Salars CEO & Director R. Nick Horsley states, " We are thrilled to launch the second phase of exploration at our Jaguaribe Project, building on the promising lithium and rare earth element (REE) discoveries from phase one. Brazil is a global hub for hard rock lithium production, and our Jaguaribe Project, located in a well-known pegmatite district, has already yielded high-grade lithium samples and significant REE values. This next phase will focus on identifying and sampling additional pegmatites to further delineate the scale and quality of this critical mineral-rich region."
The initial phase 1 exploration program revealed multiple long and wide pegmatite dykes that measure up to 30 meters in width and up to 300 meters in length that are largely unexplored. American Salars has secured field crews, a Brazil focussed senior geologist, and lithium specialist QP to oversee a more extensive Phase 2 work program to map new pegmatite outcrops as well as sampling new and known areas of mineralization. The Company has secured sampling and exploration crews and is working with local Brazil based geological consultants to help plan a follow up drilling program to test priority targets.
About the Jaguaribe Property
The Jaguaribe Property covers historic artisanal mining sites previously mined for lithium, coltan (tantalum and niobium) and tin.
Initial sampling of the Jaguaribe Pegmatites returned Spodumene bearing pegmatite samples that graded up to 3.72% Li2O as well as Rare Earth Elements.
Phase 2 sampling will test multiple additional LCT Pegmatite targets.
Ideal project location - Historical Pegmatite Province Brazil.
4-hour drive on paved roads to port and international airport (Fortaleza).
The topography, land use and vegetation at Jaguaribe Property is well suited for exploration activities.
Arid, sparsely populated farmland, no rain forest.
Northern Brazil provides shipping routes and deep-water ports to North American and European battery chemical markets.
Click Image To View Full Size
Figure 1. Geological Map of the Solonópole/Jaguaribe Region, with location of the Jaguaribe claim blocks shown in YELLOW color .
Multi elements ICP analysis (55 elements) of 13 pegmatites sampled across the Jaguaribe Project, returned: Lithium, Rubidium, Tantalum and Niobium. Of the 13 samples, one (VM-EJ-R-01) is mineralized with Lithium at (3.72% Li2O), a normal occurrence, because it was the first geological reconnaissance work carried out on the Project. The presence of Li bearing Lepidolite and Spodumene minerals were observed in the pegmatites during the initial fieldwork.
Pegmatite VM-EJ-01 is an LCT (Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum) pegmatite, in addition to samples of 3.72 Li2O, anomalous values of 554.5 ppm of Cesium and 135 ppm of Tantalum were recorded, accompanied by 177 ppm of Niobium and high values for Rubidium (>10,000ppm); Tin (675 ppm) and Zinc (387ppm). Initial fieldwork also detected two additional pegmatites with 2.15% and 1.58% Li2O, respectively, which led to the exploration and acquisition of the 10 claim blocks that make up the Jaguribe Property.
Click Image To View Full Size
Figure 2. LCT pegmatite Outcrops and Surface Samples from vein in a North -Northeast direction and embedded in gneiss.
Figure 3. Location of the Pegmatite Districts of Ceará, Brazil.
Geochemical Characteristics of Pegmatites, Jaguaribe Project, Ceará, Brazil
A multi-element analyse was conducted at the SGS laboratory for 58 elements including REE, from 12 samples from the Jaguaribe Project. These samples were analyzed by the ICM90A method: determination with fusion in sodium peroxide-ICP OES/ICP MS.
Geochemistry of the Pegmatites samples from the Jaguaribe Project area, was compared with the standard sample or standard analysis provided by the SGS laboratory, with the common elements and their contents in an LCT-type Pegmatite (Lithium, Cesium and Tantalum).
The pegmatite from the VM-R-01 Pegmatite sample, which contained Lepidolite and a content of 1.54% Li 2 O, shows a strong geochemical correlation with the standard sample, in terms of the contents of Li, Cs, and Ta, the latter being much higher (135 ppm Ta) than the Ta content of the SGS standard sample (18 ppm Ta). The VM-R-1 sample also shows a correlation with the SGS standard, in terms of Rb, Nb, Sn and P. Other pegmatite samples from the Jaguaribe Project, namely VM-R-6 and VM-R-7, are iron enriched and present less marked correlations, in relation to the contents of the standard sample only in the elements Li, Rb and Ba, although they show anomalous geochemical values of Cs.
The results of the VM-R-8 and VM-R-10 analyses show a good correlation with the results of the SGS standard sample, regarding the contents of Rb, Ba, Cs, Ta, Nb and P, but the Li levels fell, respectively, to 110 ppm and less than 10 ppm. This sharp drop in the Li levels of these samples is mainly due to the leaching of Li minerals by surface waters, notably Spodumene, a phenomenon observed in most of the pegmatites in the region, whose Li levels increase substantially in the subsurface in mining pits, in the companies' research excavations and mainly in drill holes.
QUALIFIED PERSON
The technical content regarding the Jaguaribe Project, in this release has been reviewed and approved by Mitchell E. Lavery, P. Geo, who is an Independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
ABOUT AMERICAN SALARS
American Salars Lithium is an exploration company focused on exploring and developing high-value battery metals projects to meet the demands of the advancing electric vehicle market.
All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on , , TikTok , and Instagram .
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
" R. Nick Horsley "
R. Nick Horsley, CEO
For further information, please contact:
American Salars Lithium Inc.
Phone: 604.740.7492
E-Mail: info@americansalars.com
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding American Salar's intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits American Salars will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements' current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including American Salars results of exploration or review of properties that American Salars does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and American Salars assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
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VANCOUVER, BC MAY 1 st 2025 TheNewswire - American Salars Lithium Inc. ("AMERICAN SALARS" OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: USLI, OTC: USLIF, FWB: Z3P, WKN: A3E2NY ) announces it has signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with an arms length Vendor to acquire a 100% interest in the Cauchari Minas Ines 01 Lithium Salar Project ("Cauchari" or "Project"), located o n the south end of the Cauchari Salt Lake, Department Los Andes in the Province of Salta, Argentina.
The Cauchari Ines 01 claims cover an area of approximately 1,235 hectares, and contain concentrations of lithium, sampled up to 383 ppm Li taken from a depth of 30cm below the salt crust. Access to the Project is through the city of Salta, via Road 51 passing the town of San Antonio de Los Cobres, and continuing approximately 80km to the nearby Cauchari Salt Lake. The Project area is accessed entering the Salt Lake through existing mining tracks and roads and located 13km from the Rincon salar owned by Rio Tinto.
Cauchari Lithium Brine Project Overview
American Salars CEO & Director R. Nick Horsley states, "The potential of this section of the Salar de Cauchari is immense. Cauchari is a proven producing Salar operated by Exar – Ganfeng & Lithium Argentina that produces battery grade lithium carbonate. The Company will look to continue to increase its footprint on the Cauchari and Pocitos Lithium projects."
Cauchari Mining Potential
Data from reconnaissance exploration programs suggests that the Cauchari Salt Lake is underlain by a structurally controlled sedimentary basin that forms an aquifer of over 250 square kilometers, and asymmetric, with maximum depths from 100 - 500 m along the eastern margins. No effective porosity determinations have yet been made on the aquifer, but by analogy with similar aquifers may be in the region of 4-20%. Structural geology survey suggests a shear fault zone through the concession oriented north south that could be an aquifer conduit.
To the North of the Company's Cauchari Ines 01 claims, two important and advanced projects are actively being developed, both on Cauchari and Olaroz Salt Lakes, with successful results from an exploration and pilot plant perspectives. The surface of the Cauchari Salar is a light brown lime-earthy layer, there are typical millimetre thick salt efflorescence which include chloride and sodium sulfate and to a lesser extent calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate (gypsum).
The Project is located on a carbonate platform generated by the late (geyser) volcanic activity, whose water loaded with minerals decanted in this basin. The geyser activity provided the majority of the chemical elements which caused the mineralization in these salt lakes. Some of these minerals are borates, sulfates, carbonates and brines rich in lithium, potassium, boron and rare earths. Significant concentrations of lithium were determined in brines from the Cauchari Salt Lake area, at the northern end of the Company's claim boundary.
Cauchari Geology
Within the Project area, outcrops of Ordovician sediments occur and above these sediments and in a discordant way there are tertiary sedimentary outcrops of Group Pastos Grandes and equivalents and tertiary vulcanites from the eruptive complex El Quevar. The quaternary can be differentiated in evaporitic sediments from Cauchari Salt Lake, clastic sediments forming alluvial cones and travertine limestones with hydrothermal origin.
Geoforms in Endorreic Basins
The Project area is part of the Cauchari Salt Lake basin. The total area of this basin is approximately 2,550 square kilometres. The Cauchari Salt Lake is extended and narrow-shaped, sub-meridian oriented spanning 40 km long. Its irregular borders are characteristic due to the influence of numerous alluvial cones which cause marked narrowing. Cauchari is a typical earthy Salt Lake, with a small participation of halite crystalline mass with a layer of greenish-brown lime-earth. Over the surface there are efflorescences and halite crusts, also gypsum.
Historically, this Salt Lake produced the biggest amount of borax minerals, especially ulexite and tincal in a smaller amount. The mineralization of ulexite is concentrated along the occidental side of the Salt Lake. The origin of this mineralization is directly related to boratiferous spillage, from the fracture located at the bottom of the Cauchari sierra. Besides that it is important to take into account that the river Olacapato, whose origins are located in the thermal waters of Tocomar and Antuco, contributes with important saline contents; thus, a brine concentrated in borates, with high amounts of lithium (900 ppm), one of the highest in the Puna, is added to the mineral resource of the salt lake.
Water bodies in the area of reconnaissance
From the hydrographic point of view, the area belongs to the endorreic basin of the Salt Lake of Cauchari. Due to its length and volume, the most important collector is the river Tocomar, originated by the numerous thermal springs (thermal spring Tocomar and Antuco). This river has caused a vast alluvial plain that is in contact with the side of the Salt Lake through a wide unfunctional cone. Only during the rainy season, the river pours down in the Salt Lake itself, and at the same time a group of springs appear in the nearby areas.
Nearest town
The nearest settlement is Olacapato at 22km from the area under study. It has 169 inhabitants, a first-aid post, a small police station, primary school, hostel, 24-hour electricity and semipublic telephone service.
The town of San Antonio de Los Cobres is the most important town and head of the Department Los Andes. It has 4,763 inhabitants according to the 2010 Census. It has a hospital, primary
Additionally, the Company has announced a settlement agreement with Ekeko SA in regards to the lien placed on the Pocitos1 project from a shortfall payment by Recharge Resources SA. The Company has agreed to $200,000 USD in cash payments for a full release of all liabilities and claims against Recharge Resources SA the holder of the Pocitos 1 tenement. A payment of $130,000 USD is due May 15th, 2025, with a second payment of $70,000 USD due September 15th, 2025.
American Salars Lithium – Argentina Lithium Salar Portfolio of Projects
Salar De Pocitos Project
The Salar Pocitos Project is located approximately 100 kilometers west from San Antonio de Los Cobres which is the largest city at the top of the puna and approximately 250 kilometers west of the Provincial Capital, Salta. The Pocitos Project benefits from some of the best infrastructure on the puna including Provincial Highway Route 17 and the Pocitos industrial Park settlement that has a natural gas pipeline and near the railway and highway that runs through the salar to the Port of Antofagasta on the Chilean Pacific Coast.
The Company's initial 800 hectare Pocitos 1 claim has an NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") prepared by WSP Australia. The MRE inferred estimate was 760,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") based on an in-situ lithium metal equivalent of 143,000 tonnes on the combined Pocitos 1 (800 Ha) and neighbouring Pocitos 2 block (532 Ha). On a pro-rata basis Pocitos 1 has 456,000 tonnes of LCE insitu. (American Salars does not currently own the neighboring 532 Hectare Pocitos 2 block - See Press Release Dated June 17, 2024). The NI 43-101 MRE was estimated on an inferred basis using a block model with 6% and 14% porosity respectively for the clay and sand lithologies. Completing borehole magnetic resonance surveys will provide continuous and higher accuracy of porosity possibly leading to an upgrade of the resource.
American Salars signed a letter of Intent (see Press Release Dated March 3, 2025) to acquire an additional 13,080 hectares on the Pocitos Salar, which has been the subject of numerous exploration campaigns including drilling, surface sampling and geophysics. The next phase of work on this World Class Project's development will be to compile data from all the combined Pocitos tenements to assess the required work in order to tie the existing drill holes together and update the Company's NI 43-101 MRE. Scoping and feasibility studies will follow the data compilation and move the project forward towards the Company's goal of seeing the Pocitos Project through to commercial production.
Qualified Person
Phillip Thomas, BSc Geol, MBusM, FAusIMM, MAIG, a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release regarding Argentina properties, and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr Thomas is a shareholder of American Salars lithium shares.
About American Salars Lithium Inc.
American Salars Lithium is an exploration company focused on exploring and developing high-value battery metals projects to meet the demands of the advancing electric vehicle market. The Company's has a diversified portfolio of Lithium Brine and Hardrock Projects in North and South America.
All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on , , TikTok , and Instagram .
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
" R. Nick Horsley "
R. Nick Horsley, CEO
For further information, please contact:
American Salars Lithium Inc.
Phone: 604-740-7492
E-Mail: info@americansalars.com
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding American Salar's intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits American Salars will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements' current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including American Salars results of exploration or review of properties that American Salars does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and American Salars assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
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VANCOUVER, BC TheNewswire - MARCH 12 th 2025 American Salars Lithium Inc. ("AMERICAN SALARS" OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: USLI, OTC: USLIF, FWB: Z3P, WKN: A3E2NY ) states its commitment to strengthening the United States lithium supply, a critical mineral essential for electric vehicles, energy storage, and advanced manufacturing. As demand for domestic lithium sources grows, securing reliable resources is vital for the nation's clean energy and technology future. With the potential for new tariffs on lithium imports under the Trump administration, American Salars has positioned itself to secure a stable, tariff-free lithium supply through its Black Rock South Lithium Project in Nevada.
As trade uncertainties grow, American Salars Nevada property serves as a critical safeguard against rising costs and potential supply chain disruptions. By having a US based lithium asset, the company holds a strong position in the domestic lithium market, providing potential future supply opportunities while reducing exposure to geopolitical risks and import restrictions. This strategic positioning not only strengthens American Salars' role in the US lithium market but also supports North America's push for energy independence in the face of shifting trade policies.
Click Image To View Full Size
Figure 1. The Blackrock South lithium brine project - Nevada
Beyond its Nevada project, American Salars has acquired a diversified portfolio of lithium assets in Canada, Brazil, and Argentina, positioning the company for potential resource development and enhanced market flexibility amid shifting global trade policies.
American Salars is strengthening its footprint in Argentina's Lithium Triangle, a globally recognized region containing some of the highest-grade lithium brine deposits. This strategic positioning enhances the Company's potential for future exploration and development in one of the world's most significant lithium-producing areas. The Company owns the 800-hectare Pocitos 1 lithium project and has a Letter Of Intent to acquire 13,080 hectares of neighboring land, making it the second-largest property holder on the Salar de Pocitos.
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Figure 2. Salar de Pocitos and surrounding Salars - Argentina
The Company is expanding its presence in Quebec, a highly promising region for new lithium discoveries. Its Xenia West & East projects consist of 92 mining claims spanning 5,382 hectares (54 sq km), located 30 km southeast of Val-d'Or with direct access via Highway 117. Additionally, Lac Simard Nord & South border Sayona Mining's Tansim Project, which includes the Viau-Dallaire and Viau Showings, estimated to contain 5–25 million tons of Li₂O at 1.2–1.3% and the recently announced Leduc East Lithium Project with 6,100 hectares of claims covering part of an extensive belt of granitic and gneissic rocks that host pegmatitic mineralogy, with over 35 mapped pegmatites and covering 15 historical pegmatite-borne felspar showings, 13 of which are former Feldspar and Mica mines operated from the early 1900 to the 1940's.
Through its Jaguaribe, Brazil Lithium & REE project, American Salars is strategically positioned within the BRICS economic bloc, where lithium-rich regions are becoming essential for battery production and clean energy technologies. The Jaguaribe Project, located in the Jaguaribe/Solonópole region in Ceará, Northern Brazil, hosts multiple extensive lithium and REE-bearing pegmatite dykes. Initial sampling has returned significant lithium oxide discoveries, including 3.72% Li₂O, 2.15% Li₂O, and 1.58% Li₂O, reinforcing the project's high potential, as well as REE samples of 554.5 parts per million cesium, 135 parts per million tantalum and 177 parts per million niobium. One sample showed high values for rubidium (greater than 10,000 parts per million); tin (675 parts per million) and zinc (387 parts per million).
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Figure 3. Jaguaribe Pegmatite Vein with mineralized outcrop samples.
By securing assets in multiple strategic locations , American Salars mitigates geopolitical risks, ensures and maintains a strong competitive position in the rapidly growing clean energy market.
American Salars CEO & Director R. Nick Horsley states, "The lithium market is evolving rapidly, and shifting trade policies could create new challenges. By securing strategic lithium assets in key regions of North and South America, we have hedged ourselves geopolitically to meet the growing demand driven by electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. This strategy reduceds our exposure to uncertain supply chains and trade war implications. Amid the tariff war, talk of Argentina and the United States entering a trade pact bodes well for our Salar de Pocitos flagship project, positioning it as a critical asset in a stabilizing Western supply chain, especially as US policies increasingly prioritize domestic and allied sourcing of critical minerals."
The global lithium market is at a pivotal moment, driven by surging demand for electric vehicles (EVs), battery storage, and clean energy technologies. However, potential tariff policies under a Trump administration could disrupt supply chains and increase costs for U.S. manufacturers. If tariffs are imposed on lithium imports from key suppliers like China, Argentina, and Chile, the cost of raw materials could rise, impacting battery production and the broader EV market. As the U.S. seeks to reduce reliance on foreign lithium, domestic projects like American Salars Lithium Inc.'s Black Rock South in Nevada are becoming increasingly valuable, offering a secure, tariff-free alternative that ensures supply chain stability and cost control.
As trade uncertainties grow, American Salars Lithium Inc.'s Nevada property serves as a critical safeguard against rising costs and potential supply chain disruptions. By owning and developing a U.S.-based lithium source, the company guarantees a reliable, domestic supply of lithium, reducing exposure to geopolitical risks and import restrictions. This strategic positioning not only strengthens American Salars Lithium Inc.'s role in the U.S. lithium market but also supports North America's push for energy independence in the face of shifting trade policies.
Beyond Nevada, American Salars Lithium Inc. is well-positioned in the global lithium market, with a diversified portfolio of high-potential properties in Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and the U.S. This geographically balanced strategy provides access to some of the world's most lithium-rich regions, ensuring resource security and market flexibility. Canada offers a stable, mining-friendly jurisdiction near key North American battery production hubs, while Brazil and Argentina—both part of the "Lithium Triangle"—boast some of the world's highest-grade lithium brine deposits. By securing assets in multiple regions, American Salars Lithium Inc. mitigates geopolitical risks, ensures a steady lithium supply, and maintains a competitive edge in a rapidly expanding market—regardless of how global trade policies evolve.
About American Salars Lithium Inc.
American Salars Lithium is a public exploration company focused on developing lithium resource projects. The Company's ultimate objective is the production of battery grade lithium carbonate to meet the growing demands of the battery industry. The Company's has a diversified portfolio of Lithium Brine and Hardrock projects in North and South America.
All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on , , TikTok , and Instagram .
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
" R. Nick Horsley "
R. Nick Horsley, CEO
For further information, please contact:
American Salars Lithium Inc.
Phone: 604.740.7492
E-Mail: info@americansalars.com
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding American Salar's intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits American Salars will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements' current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including American Salars results of exploration or review of properties that American Salars does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and American Salars assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
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American Salars Lithium INC. ("AMERICAN SALARS" OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: USLI, OTC: USLIF, FWB: Z3P, WKN: A3E2NY ) announces it has entered into a Letter Of Intent Agreement (the "Agreement") with an arm's length vendor to acquire up to 100% of the Salar De Pocitos Project (the "Project") consisting of 10 mineral tenements spanning approximately 13,080 hectares and contiguous to the Company's 800 hectare Flagship Pocitos 1 Project in Salta Province, Argentina. This represents a property size increase of 1635% to a footprint combined total of 13,880 hectares on the Pocitos Salar, within the prolific Lithium Triangle. The closing of this transaction will culminate in American Salars having the second largest property asset on the Salar de Pocitos.
The Company's existing 800-hectare Pocitos 1 claim has an NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") prepared by WSP Australia. The MRE infers 760,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") on the combined Pocitos 1 (800 Ha) and neighbouring Pocitos 2 block (532 Ha). On a pro-rata basis Pocitos 1 has 456,000 tonnes of LCE insitu. (American Salars does not currently own the neighboring 532 Hectare Pocitos 2 block - See Press Release Dated June 17, 2024). The NI 43-101 MRE was estimated on an inferred basis using a block model with 6% and 14% porosity respectively for the clay and sand lithologies. Completing borehole magnetic resonance surveys will provide continuous and higher accuracy allowing an upgrade of the resource.
The new 13,080 hectare Salar De Pocitos Project being acquired has been the subject of numerous historic exploration campaigns including drilling, surface sampling and geophysics. The initial work program will be a data compilation to tie together the existing drill holes on Pocitos 1 with all the historic drill holes and update the Company's NI 43-101 MRE. Scoping and feasibility studies will follow the data compilation and move the Salar De Pocitos Project through to commercial production.
The Salar De Pocitos Project is located approximately 100 kilometers west of San Antonio de Los Cobres which is the largest city at the top of the puna plateau and approximately 250 kilometers west of the Provincial Capital of Salta. The Pocitos Project benefits from some of the best infrastructure on the puna including Provincial Highway Route 17 and the Pocitos industrial Park settlement that has a natural gas pipeline and near the railway that runs through the salar to the Port of Antofagasta on the Chilean Pacific Coast.
American Salars CEO & Director R. Nick Horsley states, "This acquisition represents the culmination of tremendous work by the whole American Salars team and is a game changer for the Company and our stakeholders. Having consulted with some of the largest lithium mining companies in the world, we clearly understand the prerequisites for a takeover or production scenario. Today's acquisition provides our engineering and exploration team a district scale footprint to execute on."
Figure 1. Area map of Salar de Pocitos
Please click to view image
The Agreement
American Salars has entered into a letter of intent agreement whereby the Company will acquire a 75% interest immediately with Vendors with the potential to earn up to 100% undivided interest in the Property by paying to the Vendors the following cash payments totaling USD $2,000,000 and issuing 20,000,000 shares and issuing a royalty and Buy-Out Bonus based on the table below:
| DATE FOR COMPLETION | Cash USD (b) | COMMON SHARES (b) |
| On or before the date that is 10 days after signing of the Definitive Agreement | $100,000 | 2,500,000 (a) |
| On or before the first anniversary of the definitive agreement | $100,000 | 2,500,000 (a) |
| On or before the second anniversary of the definitive agreement | $300,000 | 5,000,000 (a) |
| On or before the third anniversary of the definitive agreement | $500,000 | 5,000,000 (a) |
| On or before the fourth anniversary of the agreement | $1,000,000 | 5,000,000 (a) |
| TOTAL | $2,000,000 | 20,000,000 (a) |
The transaction is subject to a 10% finder's fee
Pocitos 1 Claim
The Company's existing Pocitos 1 claim had WSP Australia complete an update of the NI 43-101 report initially written by Phillip Thomas QP in June 2023 and estimated on an inferred basis using a block model with 6% and 14% porosity for the clay and sand lithologies respectively and a Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") of 760,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") on the combined Pocitos 1 (800 Ha) and neighbouring Pocitos 2 block (532 Ha). American Salars does not own the neighboring Pocitos 2 ground which comprises 40% of the gross land package that makes up the resource however it is notable that all drilling to date has been completed on American Salars' Pocitos 1 block.
Lithium values of 169ppm from drill hole PCT22-03 packer test assayed from laboratory analysis conducted by Alex Stewart were recorded during the project's December 2022 drill campaigns. A packer sampling system was used in HQ Diamond drill holes that were drilled to a depth of up to 409 metres. The flow of brine was observed to continue for more than five hours with all holes exhibiting exceptional brine flow rates. An NI 43-101 updated report completed by WSP Australia has been released on the Pocitos 1 project.
Ekosolve Ltd. a DLE technology company was able to produce 99.8% purity lithium carbonate and extraction was above 94% of the contained lithium in the brine i.e. 158.86ppm of lithium would have been recovered from 169ppm. The higher magnesium values in the brine did not impact the extraction efficiency.
Figure 2. Drilling at Pocitos 1 Lithium Brine Project (Salta, Argentina)
Please click to view image
Qualified Person
Phillip Thomas, BSc Geol, MBusM, FAusIMM (CPVal), MAIG, MAIMVA, (CMV), a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release regarding Argentina properties, and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr Thomas is a shareholder of American Salars Lithium shares.
PDAC 2025
American Salars will be attending the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada's (PDAC) Convention at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) from Sunday, March 2 to Wednesday, March 5, 2025. The Company encourages attendees to meet the American Salars team at Booth #3210 in the Investor's Exchange.
Additionally, the Company has terminated its Candela II, Incahuasi Salar option.
About American Salars Lithium Inc.
American Salars Lithium is a public exploration company focused on developing lithium resource projects. The Company's ultimate objective is the production of battery grade lithium carbonate to meet the growing demands of the battery industry. The Company's has a diversified portfolio of Lithium Brine and Hardrock projects in North and South America.
All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on LinkedIn , Twitter , TikTok , Facebook and Instagram .
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
"R. Nick Horsley "
R. Nick Horsley, CEO
For further information, please contact:
American Salars Lithium Inc.
Phone: 604.740.7492
E-Mail: info@americansalars.com
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding American Salar's intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits American Salars will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements' current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including American Salars results of exploration or review of properties that American Salars does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and American Salars assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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HIGHLIGHTS
Anthony Viljoen, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"The commencement of drilling at Lithium Ridge with our tier-1 joint-venture partner, SQM, is a significant step forward in unlocking one of Namibia's most exciting lithium opportunities. The encouraging historical results of up to 2.13% Li₂O along the 6km ridge line, are already being complemented by a new geological mapping and sampling programme that has identified additional mineralised pegmatites containing visible spodumene crystals. This strengthens our confidence in the scale and quality of the project. The investment by SQM underscores Lithium Ridge's potential and Namibia's growing role in the global supply of critical minerals. We expect this programme to provide the foundation for fast-tracking the project towards development."
Lithium ridge exploration programme
The Lithium Ridge mining licence is located only 35 kilometres from Andrada's producing Uis tin mine and hosts multiple high-priority lithium-bearing pegmatites, with associated tin and tantalum credits.
The current programme is designed to:
The 14 000 metre DD programme will comprise approximately 120 orientated holes, to determine the depth extensions and continuity of the extensive mineralisation already identified at surface. Historical work confirmed grades of up to 2.13% Li₂O and metallurgical spodumene recoveries of up to 80%, producing a premium 6.8% Li₂O concentrate with low iron levels. These results were on drill chip samples produced during reverse circulation drilling at Lithium Ridge. (See announcement dated 5 December 2023). This programme is expected to significantly enhance the geological understanding of Lithium Ridge and demonstrate its economic potential as a large-scale, high quality lithium project.
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Geologists examining drill core at Lithium Ridge | Exploration drill rig at Lithium Ridge |
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Andrada CEO, Anthony Viljoen (L) and SQM International Lithium CEO, Mark Fones (R) carrying a spodumene crystal at Lithium Ridge (Namibia)
CONTACT | |
ANDRADA MINING LIMITED | |
Anthony Viljoen, CEO Sakhile Ndlovu, Head of Investor Relations | +27 (11) 268 6555 |
NOMINATED ADVISOR & BROKER | |
Zeus Capital Limited Katy Mitchell Andrew de Andrade Harry Ansell | +44 (0) 20 2382 9500 |
CORPORATE BROKER & ADVISOR | |
H&P Advisory Limited Andrew Chubb Jay Ashfield Matt Hasson | +44 (0) 20 7907 8500 |
Berenberg Jennifer Lee | +44 (0) 20 3753 3040 |
FINANCIAL PUBLIC RELATIONS | |
Tavistock (United Kingdom) Emily Moss Josephine Clerkin | +44 (0) 207 920 3150 |
About Andrada Mining Limited
Andrada Mining Limited, formerly Afritin Mining Limited, is a London-listed technology metals mining company with a vision to create a portfolio of globally significant, conflict-free, production and exploration assets. The Company's flagship asset is the Uis Mine in Namibia, formerly the world's largest hard-rock open cast tin mine and currently being re-developed as a major tin-tantalum-lithium producer. An exploration drilling programme is currently underway with the aim of expanding the tin resource over the fourteen additional, historically mined pegmatites that occur within a 5km radius of the current processing plant. The Company has set a mineral resource target of 200 Mt to be delineated within the next 5 years. The existing mine, together with its substantial mineral resource potential, allows the Company to consider economies of scale. Andrada is managed by a board of directors with broad industry knowledge and a management team with extensive commercial and technical skills. Furthermore, the Company is committed to the sustainable development of its operations and the growth of its business. This is demonstrated by the way the leadership team places significant emphasis on creating value for the wider community, investors, and other key stakeholders. Andrada has established an environmental, social and governance system that has been implemented at all levels of the Company and aligns with international standards.
In addition to Arafura, entrepreneur Rinehart’s investment portfolio contains other ex-China, green-transition-focused companies like Australian lithium firm Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR,OTC Pink:LINRF), as well as rare earths producers MP Materials (NYSE:MP) and Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC,OTC Pink:LYSCF). Rinehart’s role in the acquisition of Azure Minerals’ Andover lithium project in Western Australia alongside lithium giant SQM (NYSE:SQM) also made headlines.
Gina Rinehart is an Australian iron ore magnate and the executive chair of Hancock Prospecting, as well as the richest person in Australia and one of the world’s richest women. Rinehart is the daughter of Australian mining mogul and Hancock Prospecting founder, the late Lang Hancock. As the current executive chair of Hancock Prospecting, Rinehart won the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from CEO Magazine in 2019.
Rinehart was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2022 for her “distinguished service to the mining sector, to the community through philanthropic initiatives, and to sport as a patron.”
Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting acquired the Roy Hill tenements in 1993. Centering the massive project as the cornerstone of the company, Hancock Prospecting has greatly benefited from the iron ore market boom that began in the early 2000s.
Today, Roy Hill is Australia’s largest iron ore mine, producing 60 million to 70 million tonnes of iron ore per year. Success at Roy Hill has made Hancock Prospecting Australia’s most valuable private company at an estimated AU$15.6 billion.
As with many of the world’s most successful billionaires, Gina Rinehart has developed an investment strategy based on strategic partnerships as well as diversification to mitigate risk and build value. Under her leadership, Hancock Prospecting Pty Limited (HPPL) as well as the HPPL Group of companies has expanded into some of the world’s most economically important markets, such as real estate, agriculture, energy and critical metals.
For the 2024 fiscal year, Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting reported a bumper profit of AU$5.6 billion, up 10 percent from the previous year.
Through her company Hancock Prospecting, Gina Rinehart owns interest in mining companies across many sectors, including iron ore, lithium, rare earths, copper, oil and gas, as well as potash.
While much of her investment portfolio is focused on Australia and ASX companies, Rinehart is actively strengthening the geographical diversification of her investments.
In recent years, Rinehart has made a series of key investments in mining companies, especially targeting critical metals projects in Germany, Brazil, Ecuador and the United States. These include exploration-stage firms such as Titan Minerals (ASX:TTM) and Azure Minerals as well as producers such as Atlas Iron and MP Materials.
Vehicles hauling ore at Roy Hill iron ore mine.
Photo of Roy Hill iron ore mine via Roy Hill.
Hancock Prospecting’s Roy Hill and Hope Downs iron ore mines are in Western Australia's resource-rich Pilbara region.
Roy Hill has attracted strategic partnerships with major global enterprises: Marubeni (TSE:8002) has a 15 percent equity stake, POSCO Holdings (NYSE:PKX,KRX:005490) has a 12.5 percent stake and China Steel (TPE:2002) has a 2.5 percent stake. The minority partners purchase a combined 28.75 million tonnes of iron ore annually from Roy Hill’s production.
In September 2024, Hancock Prospecting got the green light for its AU$600 million McPhee iron mine located about 100 kilometres north of the Roy Hill mine after a long approval process.
The McPhee iron mine is expected to produce around 10 million tonnes of the metal each year over an estimated 15 year mine life. First production is expected to kick off next year, and ore will be transported by road trains to Roy Hill for processing and blending. The goal is to improve the larger mine's product mix and sustain its production volumes.
The Hope Downs iron ore complex is another of Australia’s largest iron ore projects. A 50/50 joint venture partnership with Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO), Hope Downs hosts four open-pit mines and has an annual production capacity of 47 million tonnes. Hope Downs has also been the subject of a more than decade-long civil dispute in a Western Australian court over royalties, put forth by the descendants of Lang Hancock's business partner Peter Wright as well as Rinehart’s own children.
In June 2025, the partners announced a combined investment of US$1.6 billion to develop the Hope Downs 2 iron ore project, a part of the main JV. The project hosts the Hope Downs 2 and Bedded Hilltop deposits, which together will have a total annual production capacity of 31 million tonnes.
Gina Rinehart’s iron ore investments in Western Australia extend beyond Roy Hill and Hill Downs to Atlas Iron’s three producing mines and a pipeline of development projects.
Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting acquired Atlas Iron in 2018 through a AU$427 million deal that turned out to be dirt cheap as the company would go on to deliver AU$1.5 billion in revenues over the next three years alone.
Today, Atlas Mines operates the Mount Webber, Sanjiv Ridge and Miralga Creek mines. Production from these mines in its fiscal year ended June 2023 led to a AU$222 million dividend payment for Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting.
As of July 1, 2025, Hancock Prospecting has consolidated its Roy Hill and Atlas Iron under the new name Hancock Iron Ore. The new entity represents combined iron ore exports of about 74 million tonnes per year.
Additionally, Hancock has an earn-in agreement on Legacy Iron Ore (ASX:LCY) and Hawthorn Resources’ (ASX:HAW) Mount Bevan project through its subsidiary Hancock Magnetite Holdings.
At Mount Bevan, as part of its earn-in agreement, Hancock completed a prefeasibility study (PFS) for a 12 million tonne per year high-grade magnetite project in July 2024. The PFS incorporates a resource estimate totalling 1,291 million tonnes, which was completed by Atlas, and delineates a capital cost of AU$5 billion to develop Mount Bevan.
Completion of the PFS increased Hancock’s stake in the joint venture from 30 percent to 51 percent, with Legacy now holding 29.4 percent and Hawthorn holding 19.6 percent.
Like iron, coal is another essential material in steel manufacturing. To this end, Rinehart is also pursuing an investment in a past-producing metallurgical coal mine in Alberta, Canada. Hancock Prospecting subsidiary Northback Holdings is the owner of the proposed Grassy Mountain steelmaking coal project in the province’s Crowsnest Pass region.
Exploration licences for the Northback project were greenlit by Alberta regulators in May 2025.
Gina Rinehart's lithium investments include Azure Minerals’ (ASX:AZS) Andover lithium project, Liontown Resources, Delta Lithium (ASX:DLI) and Vulcan Energy Resources (ASX:VUL).
The majority of her lithium investments came in a flurry in 2023 and 2024.
In June 2023, Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting signed a separate joint venture earn-in agreement for the Mount Bevan magnetite project discussed above, this time for the lithium, nickel and copper mineralization at the project. The agreement will similarly see Hancock able to earn a 51 percent interest by completing certain milestones.
In September 2023, Rinehart made headlines when she took a position in Liontown Resources and then rapidly increased the position to 19.9 percent over the following month. This allowed Hancock, which was now Liontown's largest shareholder, to effectively block Albemarle’s (NYSE:ALB) accepted takeover of the smaller lithium company.
However, Liontown took a hit as the economics for its near-production Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia were affected by high inflation and low lithium prices. In January 2024, Albemarle decided to sell off its 4 percent stake in Liontown. The lack of any further moves or comment by Rinehart in relation to Liontown Resources has led to speculation she may be waiting for the right opportunity to buy up the lithium company at a discount.
Kathleen Valley entered open-pit production in late July 2024, and is expected to produce approximately 500,000 tonnes per year of spodumene concentrate per year. In April of this year, the operation became Australia's first underground lithium mine when it commenced production from its Mount Mann deposit. Liontown plans to fully transition production to the underground mine in its fiscal 2026.
Albemarle's Liontown acquistion wasn't the only lithium bid Rinehart blocked in October 2023. As is her strategy, Rinehart scooped up an 18.9 percent stake in Azure Minerals after SQM announced its intention for a total takeover of the company and its Andover lithium project in the West Pilbara region of Western Australia.
This story had a different ending, though, as Hancock Prospecting instead joined the lithium giant in a AU$1.7 billion deal to become a co-owner of the exploration-stage Andover project. The deal closed in May 2024.
Shortly after its Liontown and Azure moves, Hancock Prospecting continued investing in Western Australia's lithium prospects when it participated in a AU$70.2 million fundraising for Delta Lithium in November 2023. The proceeds will help Delta Lithium to fund the development of its Mount Ida lithium-gold project, which is adjacent to Hancock's Mount Bevan joint venture project. As of November 2024, Hancock Prospecting owns 10.65 percent of Delta Lithium.
Rinehart has made lithium investments outside of Australia as well. Looking further afield to Germany, with a 7.5 percent stake, Hancock Prospecting is the second largest shareholder in Vulcan Energy and its flagship Zero Carbon lithium project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley, a milestone Rinehart's company reached after investing an additional AU$20 million in Vulcan, which made headlines in June 2024. The Zero Carbon project is slated to produce an initial 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide by the end of 2025, targeting Europe’s electric vehicle manufacturing sector.
In November 2024, Vulcan Energy reached another major milestone with first production at its downstream lithium hydroxide optimisation plant, which is designed to produce lithium hydroxide and battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate.
In May 2025, Vulcan commenced drilling on its first new geothermal energy-lithium well in Landau, Germany, as part of its Phase 1 Lionheart project. The site currently holds four production and re-injection wells and the company aims to add 24 more that will produce hot lithium brine. Vulcan plans to use the new production to increase its geothermal energy production and begin commercial lithium production. In July, Vulcan received US$122 million from the German government to advance its project.
Facilities at MP Materials' Mountain Pass rare earths mine.
clayton harrison / Shutterstock
Through Hancock Prospecting, Gina Rinehart has made investments in some of the world’s most well known rare earth mineral producing companies — US-based MP Materials and Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths — as well as development-stage Arafura Rare Earths and exploration-stage Brazilian Rare Earths (ASX:BRE). Rinehart taking a position in these rare earths companies shows she is looking to capitalise on the significant need for these critical metals outside of China.
As mentioned in the introduction to this article, Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting is the largest shareholder of Arafura Rare Earths, giving it a 10 percent stake in the advanced-stage, construction ready Nolans project in the Northern Territory, Australia. Rinehart made the investment in December 2022. As of August 20, 2025, Arafura is conducting an AU$80 million tranche 1 financing underway, reporting support from Hancock Prospecting of a currently undisclosed amount.
In April 2024, Rinehart made two significant moves into the sector. The first came on April 9, when it was revealed that Hancock Prospecting had acquired a 5.3 percent stake in MP Materials, the second largest rare earths producer outside of China. The company’s California-based Mountain Pass mine is the only integrated rare earth mining and processing operation in North America.
Rinehart’s investment in MP Materials could later bring in “Roy Hill-type cash flow,” Dylan Kelly, head analyst at Terra Capital, told Australian Financial Review. “Anything that is producing and not China-aligned is highly strategic. These materials are very, very hard to make and there’s a lot of demand in making magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbines."
One week later, Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting took up a 5.82 percent interest in Lynas Rare Earths, the largest ex-China rare earths producer. The Australian rare earth miner produces the critical metals at its Mount Weld mine in Western Australia and ships the raw material to Malaysia for processing. Lynas is also ramping up processing at its Kalgoorlie rare earth facility in Australia, and building light rare earths processing facilities and a heavy rare earths separation facility in Texas, US.
Rinehart’s near simultaneous investments in Lynas and MP Materials came after merger talks between the two rare earths behemoths stalled in February 2024. In November 2024, the mining mogul increased her position in MP Materials to 8.5 percent. As for Lynas, she raised her stake to 7.14 percent in July 2024 and then 8.21 percent in January 2025.
In July 2025, the US Department of Defense announced it was taking a stake in MP Materials worth US$400 million in preferred stock and guaranteed a floor price of US$110 per kilogram for neodymium and praseodymium from MP Materials, representing nearly double that of China’s rates as the Trump administration seeks to build the nation's domestic rare earth industry.
The news of the DoD's investment significantly elevated both MP Materials' and Lynas' share prices, with Forbes reporting that the value of Rinehart's holdings in the two companies increased by about US$200 million and US$100 million respectively.
There was previously speculation stirring that Rinehart’s participation in MP and Lynas could renew merger discussions, Reuters reported, and Rinehart's increased positions further raised the possibility of a merger down the road. However, the US Government's major shareholder position in MP Materials makes such an acquisition a long shot.
Rinehart is also getting her foot in the rare earths door at the exploration level. In 2023, Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting made a pre-IPO investment for a 5.85 percent share in Brazilian Rare Earths, which went on to list on the ASX in December of that year. The rare earth explorer is working its district-scale Rocha da Rocha rare earth asset in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The province is highly prospective for both heavy and light rare earths, with grades of over 40 percent total rare earth oxides found. Brazilian Rare Earths is working to complete an updated JORC mineral resource estimate.
Gina Rinehart’s copper investments are centered on Ecuador’s Andean copper-gold belt, and include explorer Titan Minerals and Ecuador's state-owned Empresa Nacional Minera (ENAMI).
Ecuador has seen a rush of major mining companies taking up positions in key copper and gold projects in recent years, placing Hancock Prospecting in the company of Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B), Zijin Mining (HKEX:2899) and Anglo American (LSE:AAL,OTCQX:AAUKF).
Rinehart’s Ecuadorian copper investments are in line with her shift toward the critical metals necessary for the green transition and her strategy to expand the global footprint of her mining empire.
Hancock Prospecting subsidiary Hanrine Ecuadorian Exploration and Mining has been in the region since 2017, and has continued to make more investments. In March 2024, Hancock Prospecting subsidiary Hanrine Ecuadorian Exploration and Mining acquired a 49 percent stake in six mining concessions for AU$186.4 million. The deal sees it partner with state mining company ENAMI for the concessions, which surround the stalled Llurimagua copper-molybdenum project in Northern Ecuador.
In late April 2024, Ecuador’s constitutional court nixed appeals by ENAMI and its partner in the Llurimagua project, Chile’s state-owned CODELCO, to review the March 2023 decision by Imbabura’s provincial supreme court suspending the environmental licence for Llurimagua.
Shortly after the investment with ENAMI, Rinehart's Hanrine made another play in Ecuador by striking an earn-in agreement with Titan Minerals for up to an 80 percent ownership stake in the explorer’s Linderos copper-gold project contingent on up to AU$120 million in exploration spending. Linderos is an early-exploration stage project with the potential to host a large-scale copper porphyry system. Hanrine has made an initial investment of AU$2 million for a 5 percent stake.
Gina Rinehart’s oil and gas investments include private firms Warrego Energy in Western Australia and Senex Energy in Queensland.
In February 2023, Hancock Prospecting won a protracted bidding war for the then-public Warrego with Warrego's joint venture partner Strike Energy (ASX:STX) at a price of AU$0.36 per share. Warrego and operator Strike Energy maintain their 50/50 joint venture on the West Erregulla onshore gas field within exploration permit EP 469 near Perth in Western Australia.
In mid-August 2024, the West Erregulla project received its production licence. During Phase 1, the project is expected to produce 87 terajoules per day.
As for Senex Energy, it is a joint venture between POSCO (50.1 percent) and Hancock Prospecting subsidiary Hancock Energy (49.9 percent) that holds the Atlas and Roma North natural gas developments in Queensland’s Surat Basin. The two JV partners acquired Senex in 2022, with Rinehart’s company putting up AU$440.89 million.
Senex Energy has embarked on a AU$1 billion expansion endeavor at Atlas and Roma North that will see 60 petajoules of natural gas delivered to Australia’s east coast market annually by the end of 2025. This figure represents more than 10 percent of the region’s demand. Regulatory approval for the expansion was finally received following an uphill battle with a Federal government more interested in renewable energy projects than the natural gas variety. Hancock Prospecting reported the first flows of gas production from the expansion field in late November 2024.
Rinehart once had a significant stake of nearly 20 percent in Lakes Oil, now Lakes Blue Energy (ASX:LKO), through subsidiary Timeview Enterprises. Timeview's stake in Lakes Blue Energy has been lowered in recent years, but it remains the company's fourth largest shareholder at 4.075 percent.
In late October 2024, Rinehart offered financial assistance to Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN,OTC Pink:MALRF), a diversified mining company with lithium, iron ore and oil and gas operations in Western Australia. Headed by another mining heavyweight, Chris Ellison, Mineral Resources (MinRes) is reportedly drowning in debt and embroiled in a tax evasion investigation. At that time, Hancock Prospecting agreed to a AU$1.13 billion buyout of MinRes' oil and gas projects in the Perth Basin and an exploration acreage in the Carnarvon Basin.
The 100 percent sale of two of MinRes' exploration permits to Hancock was completed in December 2024 for initial consideration of AU$780 million, with potential for up to AU$327 million depending on whether certain conditions and thresholds are met. The permits include the Moriarty Deep prospect and the Lockyer gas and Erregulla oil discoveries.
Separate to that sale, the two companies are also forming two 50/50 exploration joint ventures for MinRes' remaining permits in the Perth and Carnarvon Basins. Hancock will acquire 50 percent of the MinRes Explorer drill rig, which is the largest in Australia.
Gina Rinehart’s potash and agricultural investments center on Hancock Prospecting’s ownership interests in multiple premium cattle stations in Australia, and the company's royalty revenue generated from the Anglo-American-controlled Woodsmith potash project currently under construction in the United Kingdom.
With an original investment of AU$380.6 million in 2016 to then-owner Sirius Minerals, Hancock Prospecting has a 5 percent revenue royalty on the first 13 million tonnes of fertiliser produced from Woodsmith and 1 percent thereafter. Hancock also has a 20,000 tonne per year offtake option. The timeline for Rinehart’s royalty revenue has been pushed back, however, as Anglo is cutting spending at Woodsmith following BHP’s (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP) failed mega-merger with Anglo American.
With Gina Rinehart at the helm of Hancock Prospecting, the Roy Hill iron ore mine has generated stellar revenues.
That wealth creation not only made her Australia's richest person, but has also built a powerful war chest from which Rinehart is expanding her mining empire.
Investors can take cues from her recent and future moves in the mining sector. Although she may be defensive toward renewable energy technologies encroaching on agricultural land, she understands the strategical importance of investing in critical metals for the green transition such as lithium, rare earths and copper.
Gina Rinehart's net worth is reported to be AU$38.11 billion, maintaining her spot as the richest Australian, according to figures from the Australian Financial Review's Rich List 2025. However, her total wealth is down 6 percent over the previous year.
"Iron ore magnate Rinehart has topped the Rich List for the sixth year in a row, but the falling iron ore price has hit the valuation of her Hancock Prospecting, wiping around $2b off her estimated net worth," the list's authors explain.
Gina Rinehart owns Hancock Prospecting, a private company founded by her late father Lang Hancock. Originally an iron ore mining company, today the firm has strategic stakes in a wide-range of metals and commodities from lithium and rare earths to copper and agriculture, which are detailed in this article.
While investors can't buy public shares in privately held Hancock Prospecting, they can take equity positions in the publicly traded stocks in which the company itself holds interest. Some of these stocks include Arafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU,OTC Pink:ARAFF), Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR,OTC Pink:LINRF), MP Materials (NYSE:MP) and Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC).
Although she has interest in many mining companies and the two companies share the Hope Downs joint venture, Gina Rinehart does not own mining giant Rio Tinto. Market Screener reports that Aluminum Corporation of China (SHA:601600) is its largest shareholder at 14.5 percent, followed by BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) and others at around 3 percent and below.
Gina Rinehart is pro-nuclear energy. During a speech at The Australian Bush Summit in 2023, she railed against the impact of wind and solar farms on much needed agricultural land in Australia. She suggested that nuclear energy offers a more viable solution for reaching the country's net zero targets.
Gina Rinehart is the richest person in Australia with a net worth of AU$38.11 billion. In 2025, she topped the Australian Financial Review's Rich List for the sixth consecutive year in a row. The next richest Australian, real estate developer Harry Triguboff, trails her at AU$29.65 billion.
Gina Rinehart is not the richest woman in the world. While she did rank as the world's ninth richest woman in 2024, as of March 2025, she is no longer in the top ten. The distinction of richest woman in the world goes to Walmart (NYSE:WMT) heiress Alice Walton. Rinehart previously held the title in 2012.
This is an updated version of an article first published by the Investing News Network in 2024.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
