Lithium South Ventures into Innovative Lithium Production Methods

Lithium South Development Corporation (referred to as "the Company" or "Lithium South") (TSX-V: LIS) (OTCQB: LISMF) (Frankfurt: OGPQ) is delighted to announce the successful completion of an extensive series of advanced test work. The aim was to explore alternative methods of lithium production, with the potential to significantly enhance the value of its Hombre Muerto North project ("HMN Lithium Project") located in Argentina. The process involved the utilization of approximately 20,000 liters of representative brine samples sourced from the Tramo well. These samples underwent evaporation and liming test work directly at the Hombre Muerto North site. Additional extensive laboratory-scale testing was conducted at the facilities of Eon Minerals LLC ("Eon") in Salta, Argentina.

Chemical analyses were meticulously conducted by Eon and subsequently verified by esteemed entities such as SGS Argentina S.A., SGS Canada Inc., and Alex Stewart Laboratories, all of which are ISO Certified Laboratories. It's essential to highlight that all test work was meticulously supervised by Alex Mezei, P. Eng., who serves as a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

The exploration of alternative production methods involved two innovative process options. The first option involved a combination of on-site evaporation with laboratory-scale tests using the Tramo claim brine. This method yielded a super-concentrated Lithium Chloride (LiCl) brine, boasting a lithium content of 6% by mass. Significantly, this demonstrated an overall lithium recovery rate of 67% following the pre-concentration and concentration evaporation phases.

The second approach successfully generated a bulk lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) product, indicating the potential for further purification to meet battery-grade standards. This particular route, which integrated boron solvent extraction, achieved an impressive overall lithium extraction efficiency of 60%. Subsequent purification tests, conducted by SGS Canada Inc., indicated that the bulk lithium carbonate product attained purity levels ranging from 99.4% to 99.5%. This approached the desired battery-grade specification. It is important to mention that the purity of lithium carbonate reported here is determined by comparing it to both the "Sum of impurities" and the "Loss of ignition at 550°C".

While the primary plan remains focused on producing Li2CO3 technical grade with a 70% efficiency, utilizing the industry-proven evaporation technique, these test results underscore Lithium South's adaptability and potential to shift towards higher value products. The Company is excited about the flexibility these alternatives offer, as they could significantly enhance the project's value without necessitating alterations to the current production strategy.

Adrian F. C. Hobkirk, Founder and CEO of Lithium South, expressed enthusiasm about the prospects these innovative production methods present. He stated, "Exploring these innovative production methods allows us to future-proof our project and potentially tap into more lucrative markets." Hobkirk further added, " We are delighted with these test outcomes, as they validate our ability to efficiently produce high-purity lithium compounds. While we remain focused on our primary production target, these successful tests provide us with valuable flexibility and a potential edge in the market."

Lithium South Development remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing its HMN Lithium Project. The company is dedicated to leveraging both traditional and innovative methods to ensure sustainable, efficient, and high-quality lithium production.