SIGMA LITHIUM ADVANCES CONSTRUCTION TO DOUBLE CAPACITY AND PROVIDES FY2024 PREVIEW AND FY2025 GUIDANCE

Rhea-AI Summary

Sigma Lithium (SGML) announces progress on its second Greentech industrial plant construction, aimed at doubling production capacity. The company has completed 100% of foundation earthworks on schedule and within budget, with civil works and water drainage infrastructure now underway. Commissioning is expected in Q4 2025.

The expansion project currently employs 100 workers, with plans to scale to 1,000 at peak construction. Sigma has secured a US$100 million credit line from BNDES to fully fund the construction. The company cites low capital expenditure intensity and existing infrastructure as key advantages enabling fast-tracked construction and cost control.

Detailed engineering for key long-lead equipment items has been completed, with orders expected this quarter and initial deliveries starting June 2025. The company is also establishing a training center for heavy machinery operators in neighboring communities.

Positive

• 100% completion of foundation earthworks on schedule and within budget
• Secured US$100 million BNDES credit line for construction funding
• Low capital expenditure intensity due to existing infrastructure
• Position as one of world's lowest-cost producers

Negative

• Construction proceeding despite current challenging lithium cycle

Insights

Financial Analyst

The strategic decision to double production capacity during the current lithium market downturn represents a bold counter-cyclical move that could position Sigma Lithium advantageously for the anticipated demand surge. The secured $100 million BNDES development bank credit line is particularly significant, as it provides low-cost capital during a period when financing for lithium projects has become increasingly challenging.

The expansion strategy demonstrates several key competitive advantages:

• Leveraging existing infrastructure to minimize capital intensity, reducing project risk and improving returns on invested capital
• Operational efficiency through economies of scale, with fixed G&A costs being diluted across higher production volumes
• Accelerated timeline potential due to established infrastructure and operational experience from the first plant

The construction progress metrics are encouraging, with 100% completion of foundation earthworks and the initiation of civil works, all while maintaining budget discipline. The planned workforce expansion from 100 to 1,000 at peak construction indicates proper resource allocation and project management.

The company's position as one of the world's lowest-cost producers provides a important buffer against market volatility, enabling them to maintain profitability even during periods of lower lithium prices. This cost advantage, combined with the strategic timing of capacity expansion, could allow Sigma to capture market share and establish stronger customer relationships while competitors may be scaling back investments.

SÃO PAULO, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sigma Lithium Corporation (TSXV/NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34) ("Sigma Lithium" or the "Company"), a leading global lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicles with carbon-neutral, socially and environmentally sustainable lithium concentrate, provides an update on its advancement of the construction of its second Greentech industrial plant to double its production capacity of lithium oxide concentrate.

The Company's Co-Chairperson and CEO, Ana Cabral, will present at the BMO Global Metals, Mining & Critical Minerals Conference on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 9:00 am ET. The presentation will be webcast live at this link and will include the following disclosure of the Company's expected financial and operational metrics for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024, production volumes outlook for 2025-2026 period, and cost guidance for the full year 2025.

Q4 2024

Financial and Operational metrics1	Unit	4Q 2024
Production Volumes	tonnes	77,000
Unit Operating Cash Cost Plant Gate	US$/t	318
Unit Operating Cash Cost FOB Brazil	US$/t	367
Unit Operating Cash Cost CIF China	US$/t	427

FY 2024

Financial and Operational metrics1	Unit	FY 2024
Unit Operating Cash Cost CIF China	US$/t	494
Underlying Revenue	millions of US$	181
Cash gross margin	%	41
Underlying EBITDA	millions of US$	46
Underlying EBITDA margin	%	25

2025-2026 Outlook

Production Volumes	Unit	FY 2025	FY 2026
Production Volumes Plant 1	tonnes	270,000	270,000
Production Volumes Plant 2	tonnes	30,000	250,000
Total	tonnes	300,000	520,000

2025 Cost Guidance

Unit Operating Cost1	Unit	FY 2025
Cash Cost CIF China	US$/tonne	500

The accompanying slides have been made available on the Company's investor relations website.

UPDATE ON CONSTRUCTION TO DOUBLE PRODUCTION CAPACITY
Sigma Lithium is on track to double its production capacity in 2025, with commissioning expected to begin in Q4 2025. A video of our construction progress is available for viewing here.

To date, the company has successfully completed 100% of the foundation earthworks for the second Greentech industrial plant, staying on schedule and within budget. The first cement has been poured, and construction has advanced to civil works, including the completion of water drainage infrastructure for the second industrial site. In addition, detailed engineering with technical specifications has been completed for certain key equipment items with long manufacturing lead times (long-lead items). Procurement and contractual negotiations have been completed, and orders for these items are expected to be placed within the current quarter. Initial deliveries of the plant's equipment are expected to commence in June 2025, followed by the assembly of mechanical structures.

Currently, there are 100 people working on the expansion project, with plans to increase the workforce to 1,000 at peak construction. The Company has also accelerated its homecoming program with the creation of a training center for heavy machinery operators in one of the neighboring communities.

Sigma Lithium has secured a US$100 million development bank credit line from BNDES to fully fund the construction. The Company decided to continue advancing its construction, despite the current lithium cycle, due to our low capital expenditure intensity (capex per tonne of capacity built). This efficiency is driven in part by our existing infrastructure, which supports the additional Greentech Industrial Plant and enables us to fast-track construction timelines while controlling costs.  

As one of the world's lowest-cost producers, Sigma Lithium is well-positioned to leverage economies of scale as we expand our capacity. This will further enhance our cost efficiency, diluting unitary costs per tonne, as certain production costs, including G&A, are fixed. With the lithium market expected to experience significant growth by the end of the decade, we are strategically positioned to meet the rising demand and capitalize on this opportunity for sustained long-term growth and success.

ABOUT SIGMA LITHIUM
Sigma Lithium (TSXV/NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34) is a leading global lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicle batteries with carbon-neutral, socially and environmentally sustainable chemical-grade lithium concentrate.

Sigma Lithium is one of the world's largest lithium producers. The Company operates at the forefront of environmental and social sustainability in the electric vehicle battery materials supply chain at its Grota do Cirilo Operation in Brazil. Here, Sigma produces Quintuple Zero Green Lithium at its state-of-the-art Greentech lithium beneficiation plant, delivering net zero carbon lithium, produced with zero carbon intensive energy, zero potable water, zero toxic chemicals and zero tailings dams.

Phase 1 of the Company's operations entered commercial production in the second quarter of 2023. The Company has issued a Final Investment Decision, formally approving construction to double capacity to 520,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate through the addition of a Phase 2 expansion of its Greentech Plant.

For more information about Sigma Lithium, visit https://www.sigmalithiumresources.com/

Sigma Lithium
LinkedIn: Sigma Lithium
Instagram: @sigmalithium
Twitter: @sigmalithium

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including but not limited to statements relating to timing and costs related to the general business and operational outlook of the Company, the environmental footprint of tailings and positive ecosystem impact relating thereto, donation and upcycling of tailings, timing and quantities relating to tailings and Green Lithium, achievements and projections relating to the Zero Tailings strategy, achievement of ramp-up volumes, production estimates and the operational status of the Groto do Cirilo Project, and other forward-looking information. All statements that address future plans, activities, events, estimates, expectations or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur is forward-looking information, including statements regarding the potential development of mineral resources and mineral reserves which may or may not occur. Forward-looking information contained herein is based on certain assumptions regarding, among other things: general economic and political conditions; the stable and supportive legislative, regulatory and community environment in Brazil; demand for lithium, including that such demand is supported by growth in the electric vehicle market; the Company's market position and future financial and operating performance; the Company's estimates of mineral resources and mineral reserves, including whether mineral resources will ever be developed into mineral reserves; and the Company's ability to operate its mineral projects including that the Company will not experience any materials or equipment shortages, any labour or service provider outages or delays or any technical issues. Although management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information inherently involves and is subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to that the market prices for lithium may not remain at current levels; and the market for electric vehicles and other large format batteries currently has limited market share and no assurances can be given for the rate at which this market will develop, if at all, which could affect the success of the Company and its ability to develop lithium operations. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to the current annual information form of the Company and other public filings available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

¹Financial metrics are based on the expected results for the twelve months ending December 31, 2024. Underlying revenue represents expected revenues for the twelve months ending December 31, 2024, excluding non-cash provisional price adjustments for the 2023 shipments ("Adjustments"). Unit operating Plant Gate costs include mining, processing and on-site G&A expenses. It is calculated on an incurred basis, credits for any capitalised mine waste development costs, and it excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization of mine and processing associated activities. When reported on FOB basis it includes trucking, warehousing and port related expenses. CIF reported cash costs include ocean freight, insurance and royalties. Cash gross margin is revenue, net of Adjustments and net of cost of products sold (excluding D&A), expressed as a percentage of reported revenues. Underlying EBITDA is expected EBITDA for the twelve months ending December 31, 2024, excluding non-cash stock-based compensation and Adjustments.

 

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SOURCE Sigma Lithium Corporation