Sigma Lithium Announces the Resumption of Mining Activities at Mine 1, with over 600 People Working on Site
Sigma Lithium Announces the Resumption of
Mining Activities at Mine 1, with over 600
People Working on Site
HIGHLIGHTS
Sigma Lithium announces the resumption of mining activities at its Mine 1 in Vale do
Jequitinhonha in Brazil, as scheduled.
This step successfully concludes the restructuring of mining operations aimed at
increasing safety and operating efficiency, with the Company's technical leadership
managing mining activities and planning, while incorporating a larger off-road mining
fleet to match the increased production capacity achieved by the Greentech Industrial
Plant.
The restructuring was financed in part by the commercial success of Sigma Lithium's
high-purity low-grade lithium oxide concentrate fines, which can potentially generate
equivalent proceeds to those of selling approximately 70,000t of Sigma Lithium's high
grade lithium oxide concentrate product.
The new mining operational structure is expected to fully support the increase in
production scale planned within the next 12 months, with the resumption of construction
and subsequent commissioning of the Phase 2 Greentech Industrial Plant.
Demonstrating how Sigma Lithium's low costs can enable the generation of robust cash
flows under any production scenario for Phase 1, we provided an illustrative annual
guidance for cash flow generation utilizing two different historical scenarios for Phase
1's ongoing production (220,000tpy and 240,000tpy) and for Phase 2 (520,000tpy); (see
Table 1 below).
The Company will provide guidance for the full year 2026 output once
production resumption reaches a "steady state" during 1Q26.
São Paulo, Brazil--(Newsfile Corp. - February 2, 2026) -
Sigma Lithium Corporation (TSXV: SGML)
(NASDAQ: SGML) (BVMF: S2GM34)
("Sigma Lithium" or "the Company"), a leading global lithium
producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric batteries with socially and
environmentally sustainable lithium concentrate, announces that it has resumed mining activities at the
Company's Mine 1 in Vale do Jequitinhonha in Brazil, as scheduled.
The resumption successfully concluded the restructuring of the Sigma Lithium's mining operations that
occurred during 4Q25, with the Company's technical leadership directing and managing all mining
restructuring activities and planning and leading subcontractors providing equipment, including blasting
and drilling services, as well a regional workforce of mining personnel (drivers and machine operators).
In addition to increasing safety and operating efficiency, this restructuring had the objective of tripling
previous earth moving capabilities through the incorporation of a larger "off road" equipment fleet to
match the increased production capacity of the Company's Greentech Industrial Plant while providing the
cadence of ore delivery it required.
The restructuring was financed in part by the commercial success of Sigma Lithium's high-purity low-
grade lithium oxide concentrate fines ("Fines"), produced by the Greentech Industrial Plant (dry stacked).
The sale of Fines started generating meaningful gross proceeds. Illustratively, applying the price of
US$140/t (last sale) to the
inventory available of 950,000t (at year end), this can potentially generate
equivalent proceeds to selling approximately 70,000t of Sigma Lithium's high-grade lithium oxide
concentrate at US$1,800/t (3 months of the Greentech Industrial Plant's main product output).
Additionally, Sigma Lithium was able to benefit from the financial support of its large global clients and
financiers, which have continuously been providing contractual collateral and working capital lines
against future production (70.5kt, as previously announced), replacing additional third-party capital that
would have been required. The new mining operational structure is expected to fully support the increase
in production scale planned within the next 12 months, with the resumption of construction and
subsequent commissioning of the Phase 2 Greentech Industrial Plant, designed to meet the fast-growing
demand for lithium battery materials.
The mining restart is being structured according to a staged equipment deployment plan, with third-party
equipment deployed on site, followed by leased equipment, in alignment with mine sequencing and site
safety protocols. This approach ensures a controlled ramp-up process within 1Q26, resulting in the
delivery of gradually increasing volumes of ore to Sigma Lithium's Greentech Industrial Plant, which has
continued to operate by processing strategic stockpiles of dry-stacked tailings and previously mined ore
(OSP-mixed with higher quantities of host rock).
The Company will provide guidance for the full year 2026 output once production resumption reaches a
"steady state" during 1Q26, once all equipment is mobilized and mining activities are running at full
capacity. The table below illustrates Sigma Lithium's potential cash flow generation utilizing two different
historical scenarios for Phase 1 ongoing production and for Phase 2 and demonstrates how the
Company's low costs can enable the generation of robust cash flows under various production scenarios
for Phase 1 and in different lithium price environments, demonstrating the operational resilience to
withstand the volatility of lithium markets.
Table 1
Guidance for Production Volumes and Costs per Tonne (US$/t)
Estimated 12 Month Period
(Phase 1 Only)*
Estimated
FY2027E
(Phases
1 & 2)
Production Volumes
220,000
270,000
520,000
CIF China Cash Cost
(440)
(440)
(440)
Maintenance Capex + Other Expenses
(12)
(12)
(12)
ESG, G&A Expenses
(80)
(80)
(32)
Interest Expenses
(67)
(67)
(27)
All-In Sustaining Cost
(599)
(599)
(511)
Cash Flow Forecasts at Various Realized Prices (US$ M)**
Cash Flow @ US$1,000/t
$78
$96
$225
Cash Flow @ US$1,400/t
$156
$191
$408
Cash Flow @ US$1,800/t
$233
$286
$592
*Annualized production following the end of ramp-up period using the historical annualized monthly low and high outputs.
**Prices used to calculate cash flow are grade adjusted.
Sigma Lithium's unique business model, which is focused on maximizing operating margins and
enhancing its low-cost position, has turned the Company into a pillar of the global battery supply chain
and consolidated the Sigma Lithium as leading lithium producer. This is demonstrated by the steadfast
commitment of its large clients to financially supporting Sigma Lithium's successful resumption of mining
activities.
Ana Cabral, Ceo and Co-Chairperson of Sigma Lithium, said:
"The restructuring of our mining operations underscores Sigma Lithium's commitment to safety-first,
as well as disciplined execution during the downcycle and intense price volatility of 2025. This
operational
approach highlights our focus on efficiency and continuous pursuit of higher margins and
cash generation. The upgrading our mining operations will enable us to fully benefit from the
substantial capacity improvements executed in the Greentech Industrial Plant."
"The resumption of mining activities on schedule was the result of the relentlessness focus of our
team of 600 people at Vale do Jequitinhonha - synchronized with our financial and commercial teams
traveling globally. We are honored to have a core group of clients and financiers who have been
steadfast in their commitment to support Sigma Lithium. We are grateful to our regulators at Brazil's
National Mining Agency (ANM) and Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), as well as the
Minas Gerais State Government, who have demonstrated their focus on maintaining the prosperity
wave brought to over 19,000 people in Vale do Jequitinhonha."
QUALIFIED PERSONS
The qualified person (QP) for the Grota do Cirilo reserve estimate is Mr. Alexandre Rodrigues Cabral, P.
Eng., member of the Ordre des Ingenieurs du Quebec (OIQ, membership number 105796), who is
considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional association, a Qualified Person
under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Cabral is not considered an independent QP under NI 43-101 as he is
a Sigma Lithium Director and Chair of the Company's Technical Committee.
ABOUT SIGMA LITHIUM
Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ: SGML) (TSXV: SGML) (BVMF: S2GM34), ("Sigma Lithium" or
"the Company"), is a leading global lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of
electric batteries with socially and environmentally sustainable lithium oxide concentrate.
The Company operates one of the world's largest lithium production sites-the fifth-largest industrial-
mineral complex for lithium oxide concentrate-at its Grota do Cirilo operation in Brazil. Sigma Lithium is
at the forefront of environmental and social sustainability in the electric battery materials supply chain,
producing Quintuple Zero Green Lithium: zero coal power, zero tailings dams, zero utilization of potable
water, zero use of hazardous chemicals and zero accidents.
Sigma Lithium currently has a nameplate capacity to produce 270,000 tonnes of lithium oxide
concentrate on an annualized basis (approximately 38,000-40,000 tonnes of LCE) at its mine and state-
of-the-art Greentech Industrial Plant. The Company is now constructing a second plant to double its
production capacity.
For more information about Sigma Lithium, visit our
website
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 March 19, 2024, 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 William
van Breugel, P.Eng (the "Updated Technical Report"). The Updated Technical Report is filed on SEDAR
and is also available on the Company's website.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Anna Hartley
, Vice President of Global Banking and Investor Relations
+44 7866 458 093
Sigma Lithium
LinkedIn:
Sigma Lithium
Instagram:
@sigmalithium
X:
@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
Grota 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.sedarplus.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.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282369