Canadian mining company Lithium Ionic Corporation has appointed RTEK International as a strategic adviser to fast-track the development of the Bandeira lithium project, in Brazil.

In signing a services agreement on April 2, the companies cemented a long-term partnership integrating RTEK’s world-class lithium expertise into Lithium Ionic’s owner’s team, as the project transitions from feasibility to construction stage.

RTEK will conduct a detailed review of the project’s feasibility study and identify opportunities to optimise plant and mine design.

RTEK has more than 80 years of combined lithium experience in chemical and metallurgical operations, process development, geology and project execution, which should help to reduce project timelines and capital intensity.

Lithium Ionic CEO Blake Hylands says the partnership will support Bandeira’s next phase of growth and unlock its full value, in line with the company’s vision for the project.

In turn, RTEK founder and director Brian Talbot comments that the Bandeira project already has a strong foundation in place, which RTEK will help advance to production using proven strategies in design optimisation, cost efficiency and execution discipline.

“Bandeira has all the hallmarks of a globally competitive lithium operation and we look forward to helping unlock that value as part of the owner’s team,” he adds.

Talbot himself was instrumental in developing the Grota do Cirilo project, in Brazil, from construction to production during his time as COO of Sigma Lithium, as well as in doubling output at the Mt. Cattlin mine, in Australia, during his time at Arcadium Lithium.

In turn, as part of the owner’s team, Nicholas Rowley brings to Lithium Ionic 16 years’ experience in strategic mergers and acquisitions, equity financing and commodity trading, with a strong focus on building supply chains for lithium ore sourced from Australia, South America and Africa.

Other joining members, Noel O’Brien and Rodrigo Roso, each offer decades of experience in lithium processing, project development and operations, as well as corporate finance and corporate activity.

These consultants will all be integrated with Lithium Ionic’s owner’s team to drive the advancement of the Bandeira project.

The companies will agree on an operational budget which will be paid in cash, and, if RTEK achieves certain operational milestones such as reducing the project’s costs, RTEK will be entitled to compensation in Lithium Ionic’s common shares.

Meanwhile, Lithium Ionic has also announced the appointment of technical services VP Mike Westendorf as COO of the group, succeeding Paulo Misk.