SIGMA LITHIUM REPORTS 3Q 2023 RESULTS; POSTING 37% NET PROFIT MARGIN IN ITS FIRST OPERATIONAL QUARTER
- Low production cost resulting from operational efficiency and overall discipline drives significant financial margins and the ability to generate free cash flow.
- Greentech Plant production ramp continues to sustain capacity of 270,000 tonnes of concentrate, with regular shipments of 20,000 tonnes per month expected to approach 130,000 tonnes through the sale of Green Lithium and equivalent By-Products by December 2023.
- Consistent pricing at 10% of concentrate for Green By-Products, positive results from the Phase 4 and Phase 5 exploration program that could potentially increase mineral resources to 130 Mt, and the ongoing strategic review process advancing to final rounds on November 1, 2023, showcase the Company's commitment to sustainability and quality.
- Sigma Lithium's Triple Zero Green Lithium, with zero tailings, zero hazardous chemicals, and zero carbon, has generated significant revenue, marking a major milestone in the Company's journey to become one of the largest lithium ore producers globally.
- None.
SAO PAOLO, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SIGMA Lithium Corporation ("Sigma Lithium" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SGML, TSXV: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34), a leading global lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicles with carbon neutral, responsibly sourced chemical grade lithium concentrate, today announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023. The Quarterly Filings and accompanying Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") are available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), EDGAR (www.sec.gov) and the Company's corporate website.
THIRD QUARTER 2023 AND RECENT HIGHLIGHTS ($ USD)
- Sigma Lithium reported third-quarter revenue of USD
, marking the Company's first revenue-generating quarter as it successfully transitioned to a leading global lithium producer.$97 million - Low production cost resulting from operational efficiency and overall discipline drives significant financial margins and the ability to generate free cash flow.
56% Adjusted EBITDA Margin37% Net Profit Margin
- Third quarter average adjusted cash operating cost (1) of
/tonne at mine gate and$505 /tonne FOB Vitoria (ex-royalties). Adjusted EBITDA totaled USD$577 .$54.6 million - Greentech Plant production ramp continues to sustain capacity of 270,000 tonnes of concentrate. Since September achieving regular shipments of 20,000 tonnes per month.
- Expects production to approach 130,000 tonnes through sale of Triple Zero Green Lithium and equivalent By-Products by December 2023.
- Continue to successfully market Green By-Products, achieving consistent pricing at
10% of concentrate, a testament to ore product quality despite soft market backdrop. - Announced positive results from the Phase 4 and Phase 5 exploration program that could potentially increase mineral resources to 130 Mt.
- Strategic review is ongoing and the process advanced to final rounds on November 1, 2023.
CEO Remarks:
"In our first quarter of revenue generation, Sigma Lithium has achieved positive operating profit, enabled by our impressive cost-efficient operating model," said Company Co-Chairperson and CEO Ana Cabral. "Looking ahead we expect to deliver increasing production volumes at a lower cost with a high standard of quality and purity. Our cost and purity advantages, combined with our industry-leading sustainability practices, provide Sigma Lithium with a preferential position in the marketplace. We believe this gives us the flexibility to expand our production capacity regardless of evolving market conditions to more efficiently utilize our existing cost structure. As production increases, so too should shareholder value as we continue our mission to sustainably power the next generation of electric vehicle batteries."
Key Performance Metrics for Quarter Ended 30 September 2023 ($ USD)
Unit | Q3 2023 | 1Q – 3Q 2023 | |
Concentrate produced | tonnes | 38,823 | 45,203 |
Concentrate grade produced | % | 5.7 % | 5.6 % |
Concentrate sold | tonnes | 38,000 | 38,000 |
Average realized selling price | $/t | 2,488 | 2,488 |
Revenue | 96.9 | 96.9 | |
Unit operating cost (1) | $/t | 505 | N/A |
Adjusted EBITDA | |||
Net Income | - | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | N/A |
Sigma Lithium generated its first revenue from the sale of its Triple Zero Green Lithium concentrate (zero tailings, zero hazardous chemicals, zero carbon) and associated Green By-Products in the third quarter, marking a major milestone in the Company's journey to become one of the largest lithium ore producers globally. In total, revenues generated in the third quarter were
Adjusted cash operating costs(1) for lithium concentrate produced at the Company's Grota do Cirilo operations averaged
EBITDA for the third quarter totaled USD
Operational Update
In the third quarter, Sigma Lithium continued to build on its track record of achieving operational milestones on schedule. Dense Media Separation (DMS) plant recoveries averaged
During the third quarter, Sigma Lithium made two shipments of Triple Zero Green Lithium concentrate, totaling 38,000 tonnes. As previously reported, the Company successfully delivered its third shipment to port in October, trucking 20,000 tonnes of Triple Zero Green Lithium, to be shipped to Glencore as part of a collaboration to create a low carbon, environmentally and socially sustainable global lithium supply chain for electric vehicles. Sigma Lithium achieved operational net-zero carbon emissions for all three of its shipments to-date through the implementation of its environmentally sustainable production methods and the purchase of carbon credits from Carbonext (as verified through Verra Verified Carbon Standard).
Sales of lithium concentrate were supplemented by the sale of 16,500 tonnes of ultra-fine tailings to Yahua International Investment and Development Co. ("Yahua").
Sigma Lithium continues to progress towards completing its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and Final Investment Decision (FID) for its Phase 2 and 3 expansions. The expansion would lift Greentech Plant nameplate throughput potential to 766,000 tonnes (104,000 tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent) from the current level of 270,000 tonnes (37,000 tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent). The Company plans to update the market on its expansion progress as soon as the DFS has been completed and the FID has been made. Given Sigma Lithium's high purity Triple Zero Green Lithium concentrate and ESG credentials, we believe the Company's material has priority at converter customers. Together with our low operating cost model, Sigma Lithium remains confident in its decision to continue expanding its production capacity in the current market conditions.
Exploration Update
On November 1 Sigma Lithium announced a likely increase of its mineral resource estimate to over 110 million tonnes, representing a
As part of the Exploration Program, Sigma Lithium has also identified additional pegmatites that could potentially yield up to 20 Mt of incremental mineral resource in a potential Phase 5.
The Company is conducting significant exploration RC drilling, trench work and sampling, in 57 mineralized pegmatites (out of the 200 pegmatites mapped within the Company's mineral concessions). The Exploration Program defined the surface area and the weathered mineralogy for these 57 pegmatites. The Accelerated Plan will include drilling exploratory core diamond drill holes into each of these targets.
Strategic Review Process
Sigma Lithium recently announced that its strategic review process has advanced to the final round and is expected to reach a decision by the end of 2023. Remaining interested parties have "agreed-in-principle" to preserve the Company's environmental and social sustainability centered business model in a potential strategic transaction. This update follows Sigma Lithium's announcement in September that its Board of Directors had received and is reviewing multiple strategic proposals, including from global industry leaders in the energy, auto, batteries and lithium refining industries. The Board of Directors is committed to maximizing value for Sigma Lithium's shareholders, employees and communities of Sigma Brazil at Vale do Jequitinhonha through the strategic review process.
Balance Sheet & Liquidity
Sigma Lithium ended the third quarter with USD
Conference Call Information
The Company will conduct a conference call to discuss its financial results for the third quarter, and its outlook for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, at 8:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Participating on the call will be Co-Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Ana Cabral. To register for the call, please proceed through the following link Register here.
Sigma Lithium's Triple Zero Green Lithium: The foundation of a globally sustainable supply chain
Sigma Lithium has effectively lowered its carbon footprint with a series of pioneering initiatives, paving the way forward for the metals and mining sector.
The Company's Triple Zero Green Lithium is produced at its state-of-the-art Greentech lithium plant at its Grota do Cirilo Project in Brazil, the first lithium project in the world without a tailings dam. With
The Company's main achievements towards abating its carbon footprint include:
- Zero tailings:
100% dry stacked tailings, with all by-products eliminated through sales or upcycling to pave roads. - Zero hazardous chemicals: Utilizes Dense Medium Separation ("DMS") at the Greentech plant, which does not utilize hazardous chemicals.
- Water efficiency: Utilizes
100% sewage water for its plant, fully recirculated. - Water preservation: Preserves
100% of the Piaui Creek source of drinking water for the communities living around Sigma Lithium. - Clean renewable energy: Utilizes
100% clean renewable energy for its Greentech Plant via "behind the meter" supply agreements. - Biodiesel: Utilizes biodiesel fuel in some of its trucking fleet, with plans to increase to up to
50% by 2025. - Explosives / ANFO: Decreased explosives load with computerized load simulation strategies.
ABOUT SIGMA LITHIUM
Sigma Lithium (NASDAQ: SGML, TSXV: 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 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 Triple Zero Green Lithium from its Grota do Cirilo Project in Brazil. Phase 1 of the project is expected to produce 270,000 tonnes of Triple Zero Green Lithium annually (36,700 LCE annually). If it is determined to proceed after completion of an ongoing feasibility 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 Triple Zero Green Lithium in its state-of-the-art Greentech lithium plant that uses
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
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.
Figure 1: Statement of Consolidated Income
Profit and Loss - Management P&L | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |
CAD | CAD | USD | USD | ||
Revenue from contracts with customers | 129,925 | 129,925 | 96,902 | 96,902 | |
Cost of goods sold | (46,006) | (46,006) | (34,311) | (34,311) | |
Distribution costs | (1,090) | (1,090) | (814) | (814) | |
Gross Profit | 82,829 | 82,829 | 61,776 | 61,776 | |
General & administrative | (16,581) | (43,060) | (12,364) | (32,029) | |
Stock-based compensation | 2,392 | (46,626) | 1,783 | (34,617) | |
Sales expenses | (63) | (331) | (46) | (246) | |
Other net expenses (net) | (1,879) | (4,789) | (1,403) | (3,555) | |
Total Operating Expenses | (16,131) | (94,806) | (12,030) | (70,447) | |
Financial Income (expenses), net | (10,664) | (6,379) | (7,962) | (4,789) | |
Operating Income Before Taxes | 56,034 | (18,356) | 41,783 | (13,460) | |
Income tax Expense | (7,149) | (7,149) | (5,336) | (5,336) | |
Net Income (loss) for the period | 48,885 | (25,505) | 36,447 | (18,796) |
Figure 2: Consolidated Balance Sheet
Balance Sheet ( | September 30, | December 31, | September 30 , | December 31, | |
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||
CAD | USD | ||||
ASSET | |||||
Current assets | |||||
Cash and cash equivalent | 38,142 | 96,354 | 28,180 | 71,094 | |
Customers | 73,492 | - | 54,298 | - | |
Inventories | 21,797 | - | 16,104 | - | |
Due from related party | 370 | 4,881 | 273 | 3,601 | |
Advance to suppliers | 9,441 | 1,727 | 6,975 | 1,274 | |
Tax to recovery | 3,252 | 419 | 2,403 | 309 | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 6,869 | 11,113 | 5,075 | 8,200 | |
Total current assets | 153,363 | 114,494 | 113,308 | 84,479 | |
Non-current assets | - | - | |||
Due from related party | 7,962 | - | 5,883 | - | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 85 | 204 | 63 | 151 | |
Deferred income tax and social contribution | 1,757 | - | 1,298 | - | |
Property, plant and equipment | 232,138 | 158,574 | 171,509 | 117,003 | |
Exploration and evaluation assets | 59,706 | 35,636 | 44,112 | 26,294 | |
Total assets | 455,011 | 308,908 | 336,174 | 227,926 | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||
Current liabilities | |||||
Suppliers | 37,425 | 24,307 | 27,651 | 17,935 | |
Financing and export prepayment agreement | 27,642 | - | 20,423 | - | |
Customer advance | 2,127 | 1,571 | - | ||
Taxes payable - short term | 4,594 | 3,070 | 3,394 | 2,265 | |
Income tax and social contribution | 8,800 | - | 6,502 | - | |
Account payable | 9,399 | 1,936 | 6,944 | 1,428 | |
Royal agreement option | - | 5,081 | - | 3,749 | |
Payroll and related charges | 2,902 | 409 | 2,144 | 302 | |
Royalties | 1,112 | 822 | - | ||
Lease liability | 2,089 | 680 | 1,543 | 502 | |
Accrued social projects | 2,173 | - | 1,605 | - | |
Accrued liabilities and other liabilities | 1,513 | 1,959 | 1,118 | 1,445 | |
Total current liabilities | 99,776 | 37,442 | 73,717 | 27,626 | |
Non-Current Liabilities | |||||
Financing and export prepayment agreement | 122,768 | 77,438 | 90,704 | 57,137 | |
Taxes payable - long term | 136 | - | 100 | - | |
Accrued liabilities | 2,354 | 1,386 | 1,739 | 1,023 | |
Lease liability | 4,131 | 2,989 | 3,052 | 2,205 | |
Asset retirement obligations | 7,216 | 6,547 | 5,331 | 4,831 | |
Related party loan | - | - | - | - | |
Total Non-Current liabilities | 136,605 | 88,360 | 100,927 | 65,196 | |
Total liabilities | 236,381 | 125,802 | 174,644 | 92,822 | |
Shareholders' equity | |||||
Share capital | 373,043 | 276,711 | 275,614 | 204,170 | |
Contributed surplus | 64,680 | 103,936 | 47,787 | 76,689 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | 923 | (3,030) | 443 | (2,236) | |
Accumulated deficit | (220,016) | (194,511) | (162,315) | (143,519) | |
Total shareholders' equity | 218,630 | 183,106 | 161,529 | 135,104 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | 455,011 | 308,908 | 336,174 | 227,926 |
Figure 3: Selected Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 (000) | CAD | USD | ||
Operating activities | ||||
Net loss for the period | (25,505) | (18,796) | ||
Adjustments for: | ||||
Depreciation | 4,339 | 3,291 | ||
Income tax and social contribution - current and deferred | 7,149 | 5,336 | ||
Stock-based compensation | 46,626 | 34,617 | ||
Accrual social projects | 2,173 | 1,601 | ||
Accrual for contingencies | 683 | 503 | ||
Cost transactions | 790 | 582 | ||
Interest due loans and leases | 2,880 | 2,122 | ||
Accretion due asset retirement obligation | 308 | 227 | ||
Foreign exchange loss (gain) on other assets and liabilities | (7,403) | (5,456) | ||
Adjusted income (loss) for the period | 32,040 | 24,028 | ||
Changes in non-cash working capital items: | ||||
Customers | (74,669) | (55,167) | ||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | (8,799) | (6,501) | ||
Inventories | (20,345) | (15,031) | ||
Advance to suppliers | (7,613) | (5,625) | ||
Related parties | (9,176) | (6,779) | ||
Suppliers | 7,468 | 5,518 | ||
Advance from customers | 1,757 | 1,298 | ||
Amounts payable and other liabilities | (1,663) | (1,229) | ||
Payroll and other taxes | 2,364 | 1,747 | ||
Interest payment of leases | (1,683) | (1,243) | ||
Net cash used in operating activities | (80,319) | (58,985) | ||
Investing activities | ||||
Addition to exploration and evaluation assets | (12,443) | (9,193) | ||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (49,475) | (36,553) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities | (61,918) | (45,747) | ||
Financing activities | ||||
Loans and leasings | 80,958 | 59,814 | ||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 80,958 | 59,814 | ||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash held in foreign currency | 3,067 | 2,004 | ||
Net (decrease)increase in cash | (58,212) | (42,914) | ||
Cash, beginning of period | 96,354 | 71,094 | ||
Cash, end of period | 38,142 | 28,180 |
Reconciliation
To provide investors and others with additional information regarding the financial results of Sigma Lithium, we have disclosed in this release certain non-
Endnotes:
(1) | Unit Cash Operating Costs per ton include mining, processing, crushing, and site administration expenses. When shown as Free on Board (FOB), these expenses include transport and port charges. For clarity, inventory adjustments, by-product credits, non-site G&A, carbon credits, and royalty costs are excluded. |
Figure 4: Adjusted EBITDA Calculation
Profit and Loss - Management P&L | Three Months | Nine Months | Three Months | Nine Months | |
CAD | CAD | USD | USD | ||
Revenue from contracts with customers | 129,925 | 129,925 | 96,902 | 96,902 | |
Operating cost (excl. depreciation expense) | (41,714) | (41,714) | (31,110) | (31,110) | |
Distribution cost | (1,090) | (1,090) | (814) | (814) | |
Gross margin | 87,121 | 87,121 | 64,977 | 64,977 | |
General and administration expense (excl. depreciation expense) | (16,534) | (42,939) | (12,329) | (31,939) | |
Sales expenses | (63) | (331) | (46) | (246) | |
Stock-based compensation | 2,392 | (46,626) | 1,783 | (34,617) | |
Other net expenses (net) | (1,879) | (4,789) | (1,403) | (3,555) | |
EBITDA | 71,037 | (7,564) | 52,982 | (5,380) | |
EBITDA (%) | 55 % | -6 % | 55 % | -6 % | |
Non-recurring general and administration expense | 4,569 | 6,282 | 3,415 | 4,717 | |
Legal & Consultant (1) | 2,858 | 4,300 | 2,130 | 3,222 | |
Others (2) | 1,711 | 1,982 | 1,285 | 1,495 | |
Stock-based compensation (3) | (2,392) | 46,626 | (1,783) | 34,617 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | 73,214 | 45,344 | 54,614 | 33,953 | |
Adjusted EBITDA (%) | 56 % | 35 % | 56 % | 35 % |
Notes: | |
1) | Legal & Consultation costs are primarily fees associated with the ongoing strategic review process. |
2) | Other expenses include certain non-recurring operational charges. Charges in 3Q23 include a |
3) | Represents non-cash stock-based compensation. |
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SOURCE Sigma Lithium
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