CEOL Application for Laguna Verde Submitted

CleanTech Lithium PLC (“CleanTech Lithium” or “CleanTech” or the “Company”) (AIM: CTL, Frankfurt:T2N), an exploration and development company advancing sustainable lithium projects in Chile, is pleased to announce it has submitted its application (the “Application”) for a Special Lithium Operating Contract (“CEOL”) for Laguna Verde via its Chile-based subsidiary Atacama Salt Lakes SpA (“ASL”). This submission to the Chilean Government to enter the streamlined process is well ahead of the deadline of 30^th January 2026. The award of a CEOL will mean the recipient can commercially produce lithium from the specified project for the duration of the economic life of the project.

Highlights:

• ASL has submitted its Application in line with the Ministry of Mining’s criteria to enter the streamlined, direct negotiation process for the Laguna Verde CEOL.
• ASL’s Application confirms that it holds well over 80% of the mining concessions in the Chilean Government’s defined CEOL polygon area and is supported in the Application by a consortium partner which the Company believes will enable CTL to comfortably meet the financial capability criteria.
• The Application was made well ahead of the submission deadline of 30^th January 2026. The Ministry of Mining will now start the review process of the Application and the Company will be in regular dialogue with the Ministry during that time.
• The Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS“) for Laguna Verde is being finalised and if the Company is admitted into direct negotiations within the streamlined process, the PFS will be published shortly afterwards.
• The legal case related to certain Laguna Verde licences, announced on 1^st December 2025, will not impact ASL’s CEOL Application in any way.
• CleanTech Lithium will host an investor webinar on Tuesday 6^th January at 17:00 GMT. Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free via: https://www.investormeetcompany.com/cleantech-lithium-plc/register-investor

Referencing the RNS published on 15^th January 2025, the Chilean government set out criteria for applicants to apply for a CEOL at selected salars, including Laguna Verde, under the National Lithium Strategy. These criteria include holding 80% of mining concessions for the proposed polygon area, experience in the mining and lithium extraction industry and audited financial accounts with a minimum accounting equity of USD$30 million held by the applicant or as a consortium.

CTL holds 97% of the relevant mining concessions of the polygon area and so the Company does not expect any applications from third parties for this CEOL. ASL has also formed a consortium with a partner (the “Partner”), who requested anonymity, to comfortably satisfy the financial requirements of the Chilean Government. The Partner, who is an experienced minerals company, will in addition to receiving an agreed fee, acquire, for a nominal amount, a minority shareholding in ASL (significantly less than 0.01%) at the time of the award of the Laguna Verde CEOL. CTL…