Lithium Ionic Completes US$37.5 Million Sale of its Salinas Group of Lithium Properties to PLS

US$30.0 million in non-dilutive cash proceeds received at closing; retained 2.0% royalty preserves shareholder exposure to the potential future development of Baixa Grande under the ownership of a premier lithium producer

TORONTO, Aug. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lithium Ionic Corp. ( TSXV: LTH; OTC: LTHCF; FSE: H3N ) (“Lithium Ionic” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has completed the previously announced sale of the Company’s Salinas group of lithium properties, which includes the Baixa Grande lithium resource (collectively, “Salinas”), located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, to PLS Brasil Mineração Ltda., a wholly-owned subsidiary of PLS Group Limited (“PLS”) (the “Transaction”) (see press release dated August 12, 2026 ). The Company received US$30.0 million in cash at closing.

A further US$7.5 million in deferred consideration (the “Deferred Consideration”) is payable to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Transaction agreements, on the earlier of (i) a positive final investment decision for PLS’ Colina Project, and (ii) December 31, 2029. The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Neolit Minerals Participações Ltda, retains a 2.0% royalty on future spodumene sales (the “Royalty”).

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Blake Hylands, P.Geo., CEO of Lithium Ionic, commented, “The completion of this transaction crystallizes significant value from Salinas while strengthening Lithium Ionic’s balance sheet with US$30.0 million in non-dilutive cash proceeds. In just over three years, our team advanced Salinas from an early-stage exploration opportunity to a monetized asset, while retaining shareholder exposure to future production through the royalty. With this transaction complete, our focus remains squarely on advancing our flagship Bandeira Lithium Project toward a construction decision and our objective of becoming a near-term, low-cost lithium producer.”

Further details regarding the Transaction are set out in the Company’s news release dated August 12, 2026, available under the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca or the Company’s website, www.lithiumionic.com .

Blake Hylands Chief Executive Officer, Director +1 647.316.2500 [email protected]

Lithium Ionic is a Canadian lithium development company focused on responsibly advancing its Bandeira Lithium Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil, a region coined the “Lithium Valley” that is emerging as a premier hard-rock lithium district. The Company is executing on a focused development strategy centered on engineering de-risking, permitting advancement, commercial planning, and construction readiness, with the goal of becoming a near-term producer of high-quality spodumene concentrate for global battery supply chains.

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not historical in nature contain forward-looking information.