SIGMA LITHIUM ENDS TRANSFORMATIONAL YEAR SHIPPING 22,000t OF THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE LITHIUM IN WORLD; GREENTECH PLANT OPERATING AT DESIGN CAPACITY OF 270,000 TPY

Rhea-AI Summary

Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34, TSXV: SGML) achieves milestone of sustaining production at 270,000 tonnes per year, commences loading 22,000 tonne shipment of sustainable lithium concentrate to Glencore at the Port of Vitoria, and receives 50% prepayment at a provisional premium price. The company fully achieves the mission of its Impact Investors at IPO and has industrialized a unique Quintuple Zero Green Lithium concentrate recognized as the most sustainable lithium in the world. Sigma Lithium is the first large-scale producer in the lithium industry to achieve carbon neutrality, zero coal power, zero tailings dams, and zero utilization of potable water. The company continues to advance its growth plans, with exploration updates expected to expand mineral resources and planned initiation of earthworks for Greentech Plant expansion.

Insights

Environmental Sustainability Analyst

The operational achievements of Sigma Lithium, particularly the establishment of a production process that adheres to stringent environmental standards, signify a major stride in sustainable mining practices. The 'Quintuple Zero Green Lithium' product not only aligns with the growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible materials but also sets a new benchmark for the industry. The environmental implications are profound, as the company has successfully eliminated the use of hazardous chemicals, coal power and net carbon emissions, while also addressing water conservation and tailings management concerns. This approach can potentially reduce the environmental footprint of the EV battery supply chain and may incite a shift towards more sustainable practices industry-wide. The long-term benefits include fostering goodwill among environmentally conscious investors and customers, possibly leading to increased market share and brand loyalty.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, Sigma Lithium's announcement could be a significant competitive differentiator. The company's ability to sustain production at design capacity indicates operational efficiency and reliability, which is crucial for meeting the demands of the burgeoning electric vehicle market. The prepayment agreement with Glencore for the lithium shipment at a provisional premium price reflects the high market value of Sigma's unique product and suggests strong demand. This could translate into robust revenue streams and provide Sigma Lithium with a financial edge over competitors. Additionally, the expansion of the Greentech Plant and the expected increase in mineral resources signal aggressive growth plans that may attract investor interest. However, it is important to monitor the scalability of Sigma's environmentally-friendly practices and the potential impact on production costs, as these factors will influence profitability and investor returns in the long run.

Financial Analyst

Financially, Sigma Lithium's performance is noteworthy. Achieving nameplate production levels indicates that the company is on track to meet its production targets, which is critical for investor confidence. The prepayment terms with Glencore suggest a strong liquidity position and may reduce financial risk by providing cash flow upfront. The premium pricing of the 'Quintuple Zero Green Lithium' concentrate could lead to higher profit margins compared to standard lithium products. Investors should consider the potential for Sigma Lithium to capitalize on the premium pricing structure in future contracts. However, it is essential to examine the cost implications of maintaining such high environmental standards and whether these costs can be absorbed without significantly affecting the end price of the product. Investors should also assess the stability of lithium prices and demand, as these will impact Sigma Lithium's financial performance.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delivers pivotal milestone: Greentech plant sustains production at design capacity of 270,000 tonnes per year for the month of December.
  
• Sigma Lithium has commenced loading its next 22,000 tonne shipment of its unique, sustainable, lithium concentrate to Glencore at the Port of Vitoria.
  • Glencore to prepay 50% for the shipment at a provisional premium price.
• Company fully achieves the mission of its Impact Investors at IPO: Produce lithium materials aligned with the ethos of the environmentally conscious consumer of the electric vehicle.
• Sigma Lithium has managed to industrialize a unique Quintuple Zero Green Lithium concentrate ("Quintuple Zero Lithium"), recognized at COP28 as the most sustainable lithium in the world.
  • • ZERO Net Carbon: First large-scale producer in the lithium industry to achieve carbon neutrality.
    • ZERO Coal Power at Greentech Plant: 100% renewable power.
    • ZERO Tailings Dams: 100% dry stacked tailings, 100% reused.
    • ZERO Utilization of Potable Water: Sewage treatment for solid fecal residues for Greentech plant inbound water.
    • ZERO Use of hazardous chemicals in manufacturing process of lithium concentrate.
• Continues to advance its growth plans, leveraging its competitive advantages as a low-cost producer of a technically superior coarse granulated Quintuple Zero Lithium
  • Exploration updates expected to expand mineral resource on Grota do Cirilo Property
    • Phase 4: approximately increases Sigma Lithium total M & I & I to 110Mt.
    • Phase 5: approximately increases M & I & I an additional 20Mt.
• Planned initiation of earthworks for Greentech Plant expansion.

SÃO PAULO, Dec. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sigma Lithium Corporation ("Sigma Lithium" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34, TSXV: SGML), a leading lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicles with carbon neutral, Quintuple Zero Green Lithium concentrate, is proud to cap off an incredible year for the Company by loading one last shipment of 22,000 tonnes of concentrate to Glencore at the Port of Vitoria. Sigma Lithium's fifth shipment is expected to leave port by year-end.

Glencore will prepay 50% of the fifth shipment's value upon completion of loading. The 50% prepayment reflects a provisional premium price for the Company's unique Quintuple Zero Green Lithium concentrate.

Sigma Lithium has completed an incredible journey over the past twelve months, having gone from commissioning the crushing unit in December of 2022 on schedule and on budget, to sustaining nameplate production levels at its Greentech lithium concentrate plant in December 2023. Operating rates at these levels would support a monthly shipment cadence of roughly 22,000 tonnes through the course of 2024, annualizing approximately 270,000 tonnes of Quintuple Zero Green Lithium concentrate.

Sigma Lithium CEO, Ana Cabral-Gardner commented, "We have a relentless, resilient team who has been working for years on a mission that has become our collective legacy: supporting the electric vehicle revolution by delivering the most sustainable lithium material in the world. In the process we became a better version of ourselves, transforming the lives of the people around us by providing economic empowerment, inclusion, citizenship. We are laying the foundation for common prosperity where metals, mining and metallurgical industries are fully embraced by communities as the drivers of technological and environmental innovation as well as positive social change. Our team has rarely set a foot wrong, nor missed our operational deadlines. We delivered on our promises, including those that seemed impossible at the time, such as achieving Carbon Neutrality / Net Zero 27 years ahead of the metal and mining industry."

Ligia Seca, Director of Institutional Relations: "We carry an enormous sense of mission and purpose on our shoulders: There are over 13,000 people in our communities who are benefitting from Sigma Lithium's investments and growth. We continue to invest heavily in technology to be able to beneficiate our lithium concentrate in harmony with nature: Producing what has now become the most sustainable lithium in the world, honoring all the high expectations placed upon us by our country and our people. As a result, we have opened a whole new set of opportunities for Brazil to become a key participant in the most coveted global sustainable supply chains for battery materials."

Matthew DeYoe, EVP of Corporate Affairs & Strategic Development: "Sustaining production at nameplate capacity was the final step in gaining confidence that Sigma's operations have completed the ramp process. Our team overcame incredible challenges to deliver something that has never been done before, a dry-stack tailing process with zero net carbon and 100% water reuse in the production circuit. I am incredibly proud of the work the site-team has done over the past year and I look forward to keeping the momentum going into 2024." 

ABOUT SIGMA LITHIUM
Sigma Lithium (NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34, TSXV: SGML) 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 has been at the forefront of environmental and social sustainability in the EV battery materials supply chain for six years and it is currently producing Quintuple Zero Green Lithium from its Grota do Cirilo Project in Brazil. Phase 1 of the project is expected to produce 270,000 tonnes of Quintuple Zero Green Lithium annually (36,700 LCE annually). If it determines to proceed after completion of the detailed engineering study, Phase 2 & 3 of the project are expected to increase production to 766,000 tonnes annually (or 104,200 LCE annually). The project produces Quintuple Zero Green Lithium in its state-of-the-art Greentech lithium plant that uses 100% renewable energy, 100% recycled water and 100% dry-stacked tailings.

Please refer to the Company's National Instrument 43-101 technical report titled "Grota do Cirilo Lithium Project Araçuaí and Itinga Regions, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Amended and Restated Technical Report" issued June 12, 2023, which was prepared for Sigma Lithium by Homero Delboni Jr., MAusIMM, Promon Engenharia; Marc-Antoine Laporte, P.Geo, SGS Canada Inc; Jarrett Quinn, P.Eng., Primero Group Americas; Porfirio Cabaleiro Rodriguez, (MEng), FAIG, GE21 Consultoria Mineral; and Noel O'Brien, B.E., MBA, F AusIMM (the "Updated Technical Report"). The Updated Technical Report is filed on SEDAR and is also available on the Company's website.

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.

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SOURCE Sigma Lithium

FAQ

What is the latest milestone achieved by Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34, TSXV: SGML)?

Sigma Lithium has achieved the milestone of sustaining production at 270,000 tonnes per year and has commenced loading its next 22,000 tonne shipment of sustainable lithium concentrate to Glencore at the Port of Vitoria.

What is the unique Quintuple Zero Green Lithium concentrate industrialized by Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34, TSXV: SGML)?

Sigma Lithium has industrialized a unique Quintuple Zero Green Lithium concentrate recognized as the most sustainable lithium in the world.

What environmental achievements has Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34, TSXV: SGML) made?

Sigma Lithium is the first large-scale producer in the lithium industry to achieve carbon neutrality, zero coal power, zero tailings dams, and zero utilization of potable water.

What are the growth plans of Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34, TSXV: SGML)?

The company continues to advance its growth plans, with exploration updates expected to expand mineral resources and planned initiation of earthworks for Greentech Plant expansion.