Sigma Lithium has successfully transitioned from developer to producer with the achievement of first production of Battery Grade Sustainable Lithium Concentrate ("Green Lithium")
The Company accomplished this critical milestone safely and on schedule through the completed commissioning of the Dense Medium Separation ("DMS") circuit, the second module of its Greentech Plant, which marks the finalization of construction of Phase 1 of the Grota do Cirilo project
Successful initial production runs achieved 75% of nameplate throughput capacity. The Greentech Plant is expected to produce at full production capacity by July 2023
Inaugural first shipment is expected to be approximately 15,000 tonnes of Green Lithium, targeted for May 2023
Sigma Lithium has generated significant commercial interest in and intends to sell 100% of its ultra-fine tailings, which is expected to be approximately 300,000 tonnes from Phase 1 operations
Green Lithium expected to reach the premium specifications set by advanced battery producers:
Lithium oxide: concentrate calibrated to lithium industry standard of 5.5% Li2O
Size of particles: coarse lithium concentrate particle size of 0.5mm to 9.5mm
High purity: 0.65% iron oxide, 0.39% potassium oxide, 0.37% potassium
SIGMA Lithium Corporation ("Sigma Lithium" or the "Company"), dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicles with Green Lithium, is pleased to announce that it has successfully and safely achieved first production of Green Lithium, thus concluding the commissioning process and transitioning the Company from developer to producer.
Completing the commissioning of the Phase 1 Greentech Plant is the final critical milestone in the development of the Grota do Cirilo project in Brazil and marks the successful completion of Phase 1 project construction. Sigma Lithium's technical team, led by COO Brian Talbot, will now turn its attention to ramping up throughput to full production capacity, which it expects to achieve by July 2023.
As the project ramps to full production capacity, high-quality Green Lithium will be stockpiled and prepared for sale, with an inaugural first shipment of approximately 15,000 tonnes expected in May 2023. The Company recently announced that it had obtained its environmental operating license to sell all Green Lithium product from current and future production, including any stockpiled product.
Ana Cabral-Gardner, Sigma Lithium CEO and Co-Chairperson congratulates the Sigma Lithium team and is pleased that Sigma Lithium is delivering on its production targets for all of its stakeholders.
"Sigma Lithium was created almost a decade ago and set out to prove that lithium extraction could be done in a way that is environmentally and socially responsible. Reaching this milestone from developer to producer is an incredible achievement and a testament to the many years of hard work of the entire Sigma team. We are thrilled to deliver on schedule for our supporters and partners."
"We are endlessly proud to be producing our first tonnes of Green Lithium, and we hope to shine a spotlight on the tremendous potential for Brazil to be a leader in the energy transition as a key supplier of raw materials that can be mined and processed in a sustainable way for our environment and our communities."
As previously announced, Sigma Lithium continues the detailed engineering work on the Phase 2 & 3 Greentech Plant Expansion, targeting to triple production of Green Lithium from 270,000 tpa to 766,000 tpa, if supported by the Feasibility Study currently being conducted.
QUALIFIED PERSONS
Mr. Wes Roberts, P.Eng., co-head of the technical committee of the Company, is the "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 who reviewed and approved the other technical information included in this news release.
