** Spark Energy Minerals Validates Priority Lithium and Gallium-REE Drill Targets at Arapaima Project in Brazil's Lithium Valley
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/266765
Vancouver, British Columbia - September 17, 2025
Spark Energy Minerals Inc. (CSE: SPRK) (OTCID: SPARF) (FSE: 8PC) is pleased to report significant progress at its flagship Arapaima Project in Brazil's Lithium Valley. Recent exploration work — including mapping, geochemical analysis, and sampling — has confirmed high-priority lithium and gallium-rare earth element (REE) drill targets .
The Company is now advancing logistics, surface access agreements, and permitting in preparation for aggressive diamond drilling at Cruzeta, Água Branca, and Grota do Maquém lithium targets , as well as air-core and/or reverse circulation drilling at its rapidly emerging gallium-REE Caladão Target.
CEO Commentary
Eugene Hodgson, CEO of Spark Energy Minerals, emphasized: "Our thorough exploration efforts, which include mapping, sampling, and geochemical assaying, have clearly defined our primary drill targets for both lithium and gallium-rare earth elements (REE) . The strong correlation between lithium and essential pathfinder elements, along with the unique fractionated pegmatite signatures, especially noted at the Cruzeta and Grota do Maquém targets, highlights the significant potential of our tenements ."
"Additionally, we are excited to push forward with our Caladão Rare Earths Target, located near a recently announced resource and displaying notably high gallium and REE values . We are committed to moving ahead with the necessary permitting and logistics to start drilling as soon as possible, unlocking the full potential of our projects."
Exploration Highlights
Exploration activities to date have resulted in:
• 123 pegmatite occurrences mapped across 31 km of strike
• Reconnaissance and stream sediment sampling completed across approximately 55% of 65 drainage basins
• 75% of surveyed basins have reported lithium and pathfinder elements , including niobium, rubidium, tantalum, cesium, tin, and rare earth anomalies requiring detailed follow-up
• Surface sampling has outlined an extensive 4,500-hectare zone over the Caladão Granite with anomalous gallium and rare earth element (REE) values
Priority Lithium Targets
Three high-priority lithium targets — Cruzeta, Água Branca, and Grota do Maquém — have been identified, where lithium is strongly correlated with pathfinder elements (Cs, Sn, Rb). This geochemical association is typical of fertile lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatites (LCT) and spodumene-rich pegmatites (SRP). These targets represent the most advanced lithium prospects within Spark's 91,900-hectare Arapaima Project.
Contour maps show lithium closely associated with manganese, a relationship further supported by the field identification of the mineral lithiophorite. This indicates that lithium has been naturally remobilized from primary sources, such as spodumene — a common process in deep tropical weathering environments like Arapaima — reinforcing the potential for lithium mineralization at depth.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) shows that lithium consistently occurs alongside key pathfinder elements, including rubidium, thallium, manganese, tin, cesium, niobium, and tantalum. These correlations are classic indicators of fertile, lithium-bearing pegmatites and provide a strong foundation for drill targeting.
Cesium Analysis - Key Indicator
Recent discoveries in Brazil's Lithium Valley have shown that cesium can occur at potentially economic grades within lithium-rich pegmatites. Typically, cesium values above 10 ppm are considered anomalous, with values exceeding 50 ppm strongly indicative of advanced fractionation and favourable conditions for lithium mineralization.
At Arapaima, rock-chip samples from Grota do Maquém and especially the Cruzeta target have returned cesium values above 50 ppm, reaching 267 ppm . These results reinforce Spark's priority focus on drill testing these highly prospective targets.
When cesium values exceed 50 ppm, they are strongly associated with elevated levels of other key pathfinder elements — including rubidium (up to 5,000 ppm), lithium (up to 1,500 ppm), tantalum (up to 90 ppm), and thallium (up to 20 ppm). This geochemical signature is characteristic of highly fractionated, lithium-fertile pegmatites and reinforces the potential at Arapaima .
K/Rb Ratio Analysis
K/Rb ratios are a proven exploration tool, with values below 150 indicating strong fractionation and higher lithium potential. The lower the ratio, the greater the likelihood of spodumene-rich pegmatites.
At Arapaima, all three of Spark's priority targets returned K/Rb ratios under 150 , with Cruzeta standing out at below 20 — a clear signal of highly fractionated pegmatites and strong lithium prospectivity .
Caladão Gallium and Rare Earths Target
Axel REE has recently reported a maiden JORC-compliant gallium resource and noted that a rare earth resource estimate for the same area is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Spark controls more than 4,500 hectares of contiguous ground within the fertile Caladão Granite Complex — directly adjacent to Axel's discovery. Surface sampling across Spark's ground has already returned anomalous gallium and REE values . In anticipation of Axel's forthcoming REE resource, Spark is preparing an air-core/reverse circulation drilling program to test the potential extension of Axel's mineralization onto Spark's licenses .
Next Steps
Spark's exploration team is preparing logistics and permitting to begin drilling at its priority lithium and rare earth targets . With priority targets confirmed and groundwork well advanced, the Company is on track to launch its first significant drill program in Brazil's Lithium Valley — a transformative step toward unlocking the full potential of Arapaima.
About Spark Energy Minerals Inc.
Spark Energy Minerals Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of battery metals projects. The Company's flagship Arapaima Project is located in Brazil's emerging Lithium Valley.
Stock Symbols: CSE: SPRK | OTCID: SPARF | FSE: 8PC
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Please refer to the full disclaimer regarding forward-looking statements and other important disclosures.
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/266765
Vancouver, British Columbia - September 17, 2025
Spark Energy Minerals Inc. (CSE: SPRK) (OTCID: SPARF) (FSE: 8PC) is pleased to report significant progress at its flagship Arapaima Project in Brazil's Lithium Valley. Recent exploration work — including mapping, geochemical analysis, and sampling — has confirmed high-priority lithium and gallium-rare earth element (REE) drill targets .
The Company is now advancing logistics, surface access agreements, and permitting in preparation for aggressive diamond drilling at Cruzeta, Água Branca, and Grota do Maquém lithium targets , as well as air-core and/or reverse circulation drilling at its rapidly emerging gallium-REE Caladão Target.
CEO Commentary
Eugene Hodgson, CEO of Spark Energy Minerals, emphasized: "Our thorough exploration efforts, which include mapping, sampling, and geochemical assaying, have clearly defined our primary drill targets for both lithium and gallium-rare earth elements (REE) . The strong correlation between lithium and essential pathfinder elements, along with the unique fractionated pegmatite signatures, especially noted at the Cruzeta and Grota do Maquém targets, highlights the significant potential of our tenements ."
"Additionally, we are excited to push forward with our Caladão Rare Earths Target, located near a recently announced resource and displaying notably high gallium and REE values . We are committed to moving ahead with the necessary permitting and logistics to start drilling as soon as possible, unlocking the full potential of our projects."
Exploration Highlights
Exploration activities to date have resulted in:
• 123 pegmatite occurrences mapped across 31 km of strike
• Reconnaissance and stream sediment sampling completed across approximately 55% of 65 drainage basins
• 75% of surveyed basins have reported lithium and pathfinder elements , including niobium, rubidium, tantalum, cesium, tin, and rare earth anomalies requiring detailed follow-up
• Surface sampling has outlined an extensive 4,500-hectare zone over the Caladão Granite with anomalous gallium and rare earth element (REE) values
Priority Lithium Targets
Three high-priority lithium targets — Cruzeta, Água Branca, and Grota do Maquém — have been identified, where lithium is strongly correlated with pathfinder elements (Cs, Sn, Rb). This geochemical association is typical of fertile lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatites (LCT) and spodumene-rich pegmatites (SRP). These targets represent the most advanced lithium prospects within Spark's 91,900-hectare Arapaima Project.
Contour maps show lithium closely associated with manganese, a relationship further supported by the field identification of the mineral lithiophorite. This indicates that lithium has been naturally remobilized from primary sources, such as spodumene — a common process in deep tropical weathering environments like Arapaima — reinforcing the potential for lithium mineralization at depth.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) shows that lithium consistently occurs alongside key pathfinder elements, including rubidium, thallium, manganese, tin, cesium, niobium, and tantalum. These correlations are classic indicators of fertile, lithium-bearing pegmatites and provide a strong foundation for drill targeting.
Cesium Analysis - Key Indicator
Recent discoveries in Brazil's Lithium Valley have shown that cesium can occur at potentially economic grades within lithium-rich pegmatites. Typically, cesium values above 10 ppm are considered anomalous, with values exceeding 50 ppm strongly indicative of advanced fractionation and favourable conditions for lithium mineralization.
At Arapaima, rock-chip samples from Grota do Maquém and especially the Cruzeta target have returned cesium values above 50 ppm, reaching 267 ppm . These results reinforce Spark's priority focus on drill testing these highly prospective targets.
When cesium values exceed 50 ppm, they are strongly associated with elevated levels of other key pathfinder elements — including rubidium (up to 5,000 ppm), lithium (up to 1,500 ppm), tantalum (up to 90 ppm), and thallium (up to 20 ppm). This geochemical signature is characteristic of highly fractionated, lithium-fertile pegmatites and reinforces the potential at Arapaima .
K/Rb Ratio Analysis
K/Rb ratios are a proven exploration tool, with values below 150 indicating strong fractionation and higher lithium potential. The lower the ratio, the greater the likelihood of spodumene-rich pegmatites.
At Arapaima, all three of Spark's priority targets returned K/Rb ratios under 150 , with Cruzeta standing out at below 20 — a clear signal of highly fractionated pegmatites and strong lithium prospectivity .
Caladão Gallium and Rare Earths Target
Axel REE has recently reported a maiden JORC-compliant gallium resource and noted that a rare earth resource estimate for the same area is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Spark controls more than 4,500 hectares of contiguous ground within the fertile Caladão Granite Complex — directly adjacent to Axel's discovery. Surface sampling across Spark's ground has already returned anomalous gallium and REE values . In anticipation of Axel's forthcoming REE resource, Spark is preparing an air-core/reverse circulation drilling program to test the potential extension of Axel's mineralization onto Spark's licenses .
Next Steps
Spark's exploration team is preparing logistics and permitting to begin drilling at its priority lithium and rare earth targets . With priority targets confirmed and groundwork well advanced, the Company is on track to launch its first significant drill program in Brazil's Lithium Valley — a transformative step toward unlocking the full potential of Arapaima.
About Spark Energy Minerals Inc.
Spark Energy Minerals Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of battery metals projects. The Company's flagship Arapaima Project is located in Brazil's emerging Lithium Valley.
Stock Symbols: CSE: SPRK | OTCID: SPARF | FSE: 8PC
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Please refer to the full disclaimer regarding forward-looking statements and other important disclosures.
