Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ:SGML, BVMF: S2GM34)), a leading global lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicles with carbon neutral, socially and environmentally sustainable lithium concentrate, announces today that it was included as a case study in a key industry report.
RECOGNITION FOR SUSTAINABILITY EXCELLENCE
The report "Climate and Nature Solutions in Brazil" was published by (i) Instituto Itausa, an organization dedicated to financing and supporting initiatives that promote sustainable development in Brazil, which is part of the Brazilian Itausa industrial conglomerate; and (ii) Instituto Arapyau, a Brazilian philanthropic organization founded by Guilherme Leal, a major shareholder of the Brazilian cosmetics company Natura and a former presidential candidate for the "Green Coalition" with Marina Silva, current Minister of The Environment and Climate Change of Brazil.
The study recognized Sigma Lithium for excellence in sustainability as a "global reference in green lithium, with 100% renewable energy, 90% water recirculation, no use of tailings dams, dry processing and gravity separation" which is "a method summarized in the "Quintuple Zero" formula (that is, the effort to produce lithium without dams, chemicals, carbon emissions, fossil energy and water consumption)."
The report mentioned Sigma Lithium as having successfully adapted "traditional iron and bauxite mining practices to a lithium mine, with international recognition for its ESG practices." The report further added that Sigma Lithium "invests in reforestation and compensation programs in the Cerrado (Brazilian scrubland) areas, planting native species. This model is aimed at creating ecological corridors and promoting social inclusion in environmental restoration, integrating biodiversity and generation of income."
UPGRADES MINING OPERATIONS TARGETING HIGHER EFFICIENCY
Sigma Lithium also announces that the Company is upgrading its mining operations to increase its efficiency and competitiveness: mining operations are responsible for over 66% of Sigma Lithium´s "plant gate costs", while industrial operations represent just 33% (one of the most efficient in the lithium industry).
The upgrade is part of a comprehensive review of mining operations that commenced after significant improvements were executed in the Greentech industrial plant in 4Q24. The improvements increased the plant's recovery rates and demonstrated that it would be possible to further unlock production capacity if the plant operated at a constant rate. This operational cadency could be achieved by reducing the fluctuations in the rate of delivery of fresh ore from the mining operations. Improved ore cadence is now expected to increase production at the industrial Greentech plant, while decreasing overall plant gate costs by approximately 20%.
The execution of the upgrade, which will include a change in suppliers, was initially planned for Phase 2, but the Company decided that it should be started earlier, during 3Q25, in response to the decline in lithium prices from April to August 2025 and to extend Sigma Lithium's stellar health and safety standards to the mining operations. The Company aims to bridge the gap between the safety record of the mining operations and that of the industrial Greentech plant, which is excellent and one of the factors that determine Sigma Lithium´s leadership in sustainability. At the end of the second quarter of 2025, the industrial Greentech plant accumulated more than 2 years (735 days) without Lost Time Injury (LTI) and zero fatalities, positioning it amongst the safest operations according to the International Council of Metals and Mining (ICMM).
As part of the upgrade, Sigma Lithium will be replacing its mining equipment. A demobilization was started last week, and a re-mobilization is planned to commence this week, when the new supplier is expected to promptly restart activities. The amount of downtime required for the switch and the resulting loss of production is being kept to a minimum, while the targeted efficiency gains are on track to being achieved: mining equipment is being modernized with an increase in the size of mining trucks, which will enable a decline in the size of the overall fleet and a reduction of traffic at the mine, enhancing mine safety.
In addition to raising production capacity, the upgrade should prepare Sigma Lithium´s mine to feed a second Greentech plant more rapidly by improving mine geometry, which will help the Company deliver its planned capacity expansion scheduled to come onstream in 2026.
ENGAGED IN HIGH LEVEL GLOBAL ENERGY TRANSITION DIALOGUES AT CLIMATE WEEK NY
Sigma Lithium´s participation highlights its leadership in aligning private capital with public policy to deliver sustainable mineral supply chains for the energy transition and contribute to global decarbonization goals.
The Company's team, led by Ana Cabral, Co-Chair and CEO, and Daniel Abdo, VP of Business Development and International Affairs, played an active role in several high-level forums, as part of a continuing commitment to participate in events related to the energy transition and promote the development of the Jequitinhonha Valley, underscoring its mission to power the energy transition with environmentally and socially responsible practices: