INVESTOR VIDEO CONFERENCE
CALL
February 1, 2023,
at 1:00 PM (EST)
Registration Link for Zoom video call below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88211037256
Zoom Meeting ID: 882 1103 7256
AUDITED NI 43-101 MINERAL RESOURCE UPDATE VALIDATES
SIGNIFICANT SCALE
- Sigma Lithium announces a significant increase in its
Audited NI 43-101 Mineral Resource to 109 million tonnes of
measured, indicated and inferred mineral resource at its Sigma
Brazil, 100% owned Grota do Cirilo operation at Vale do
Jequitinhonha: composed of 94.3Mt of measured &
indicated ("M&I") resource at an average grade of 1.40%
Li2O, together with additional 14.6Mt of inferred
resource at 1.37% Li2O.
- Newly revised NI 43-101 Mineral Resource estimate represents an
increase of 27% from the previous technical report dated
January 2023.
- Contained lithium carbonate equivalent tonnage also increased
by 27% as Sigma Lithium maintained the high quality of its mineral
resource while substantially increasing its scale.
- Grota do Cirilo now becomes world's 4th largest
operating industrial pre-chemical lithium beneficiation complex,
fully integrated with 100% wholly-owned spodumene mining
operations.
- Larger mineral resource demonstrates that Brazil can be an anchor supplier of
significant scale of industrialized lithium materials for the
global electric vehicle industry.
- Main objective of 2023 drill
campaign fully achieved: results
validate the "J-shaped" corridor of interrelated
deposits extending from Barreiro (Phase 2) through NDC-Murial
(Phase 3/4).
- Geological model supports a continuous principal pegmatite
at NDC-Murial and potential for a combined NDC-Murial open
pit, representing approximately 60Mt of aggregate measured,
indicated and inferred mineral resource, extending over a strike
length of 3.2km, anchored by these two large spodumene pegmatites
flanked by subordinated lenses.
- Expanded mineral resource expected to add tangible value for
stakeholders, shareholders and potential strategic parties alike,
supporting the integrated production growth of industrialized
and beneficiated pre-chemical lithium in Brazil, as Sigma Lithium aims to triple
production capacity of its "Quintuple Zero Green Lithium".
UPGRADE OF MINERAL RESOURCES TO RESERVES
- Sigma Lithium believes the increased mineral resources can
be seamlessly incorporated into its current open pit mineral
reserves, validated by the Pre-Feasibility Study: A significant
portion of the incremental resource is located within the vicinity
of existing mining pits.
- The Company is currently preparing a revised Pre-Feasibility
Study with new NDC-Murial strike mining shells and
sequencing.
- Sigma Lithium plans to develop the NDC-Murial strike with
the benefit from shared mine infrastructure.
GROTA DO CIRILO MINERAL RESOURCE EXPECTED TO FURTHER INCREASE
TO 150Mt
- The Company is focusing its 2024 drill campaign to build on
the "J-shaped" lithium corridor connecting the existing resources
of Grota do Cirilo, as follows:
- Drilling at the newly discovered Barreiro Extension
pegmatite is expected to extend the Barreiro pit westward (Figures
5/6), potentially adding 20Mt of mineral resource estimates.
- Drilled neighboring pegmatite outcrops support resource
connectivity.
- Significant resource growth potential remains along
the NDC-Murial strike (Figure 3) as mapping of pegmatites
remain open at depth, to the west, and to the east.
- Phase 5 drilling in the southern extent of the lithium corridor
has identified a new pegmatite discovery expected to support
another 20Mt of potential mineral resources.
DRILLING OF ADDITIONAL 57 TARGETS LOCATED ON SIGMA MINING
CONCESSIONS
- Company plans to drill additional 57 spodumene pegmatite
targets within mining rights outside of core Grota do Cirilo, some
of which were former artisanal spodumene mines.
SAO
PAULO, Jan. 31, 2024 /CNW/ -- Sigma Lithium
Corporation ("Sigma Lithium" or the "Company")
(NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34, TSXV: SGML), a leading global
lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of
electric vehicles with carbon neutral, responsibly sourced lithium
materials, is pleased to announce a significant increase of its
mineral resource estimate to 109 million tonnes at its Sigma
Brazil, 100% owned Grota do Cirilo operation at Vale do
Jequitinhonha: composed of 94.3Mt of measured & indicated
("M&I") mineral resource at an average grade of 1.40%
Li2O, together with additional 14.6Mt of inferred
mineral resource at 1.37% Li2O.
AUDITED NI 43-101 MINERAL RESOURCE UPDATE VALIDATES
SIGNIFICANT SCALE
The revised audited mineral resource estimate represents a 27%
increase when compared to the last technical report, dated
January 2023. The new estimate
maintains the high average lithium oxide grade of the Company's
measured and indicated mineral resources at 1.40% Li2O,
above global peer average as per Figure 1.
Figure 1: Grota do Cirilo is the world's 4th largest lithium
industrial beneficiation & mining complex currently in
operation
Ana Cabral-Gardner,
Co-Chairperson and CEO commented: "We are delighted to
announce that Grota do Cirilo became the world's 4th largest
operating industrial pre-chemical lithium beneficiation complex by
mineral resource scale, transforming Sigma Lithium into one of the
largest operating integrated producers in the global lithium
industry. None of this would be possible without the relentless
dedication of our multi-disciplinary team over the years to firmly
place Brazil as a sustainability
leader in the global lithium supply chain. Sigma Lithium is the
only remaining fully integrated producer of significant scale
wholly owned by financial sponsors, which represents tangible
synergistic value for our potential strategic partners. Over the
course of the last year, we managed to fully integrate and operate
a state of the art Greentech lithium industrial beneficiation plant
with our Grota do Cirilo mining operation while validating a
sizable 109Mt of mineral resources.
Our competitive advantage is now well established, as we have been
delivering the most sustainable lithium concentrate in the world,
the "Quintuple Zero Green Lithium", while maintaining low
production costs. Together, this supports resilience in our
business model, especially at the current point in the lithium
cycle."
She added, "The sheer scale of the mineral resource revisions
increases Sigma's strategic flexibility to consider a fourth
Greentech industrial pre-chemical beneficiation line, while also
contemplating additional industrial integration further downstream
into the production of low-cost lithium sulphate chemicals. The
potential expansion of our current operations will benefit from
significant economies of scale, including existing infrastructure
and cost sharing, as compared to our initial phase 1 development at
Grota do Cirilo. All together, the conclusion of this year-long
drill campaign represents tangible value creation for Brazil, for our communities at Vale do
Jequitinhonha and our global shareholders."
Iran Zan, MAIG, co-Head of Geology and co-General
Manager, stated: "Once again, our team of veteran Sigma
geoscientists delivered to stakeholders. We believe we have proved
our long-held belief in the existence of a sizable lithium corridor
at the Sigma mineral concessions. In a little over
seven years, Grota do Cirilo went from drill core samples to one of
the largest lithium mineral resources in the world, with some of
the highest grades and a growth potential to 150Mt. This is thanks to the relentless work of
our outstanding geology, mineralogists, and geoscientists teams.
With today's Mineral Resource update, we are just beginning to
demonstrate the sizeable potential of our lithium corridor, and
will be targeting some of the 57 high priority (of 200 mapped)
pegmatites in the 2024 campaign."
Dyonne Hage, co-Head of
Geology commented: "We demonstrated the interconnectivity of
Grota do Cirilo's "J-shaped" strike anchored by the 3 large ore
bodies at Barreiro and NDC-Murial. As drilling advances, we look
forward to delivering on our exploration target of reaching
150Mt in Grota do Cirilo by extending
Barreiro westwards and developing Phase 5." He added,
"We are also very optimistic about the NDC-Murial strike, which
remains open to the east and is accessible through open pit mining.
The deposits show consistent grades and coarse spodumene crystal
quality throughout intercepts."
Figure 2: Sigma Lithium mineral concessions and the Grota do
Cirilo "J-shaped" lithium corridor.
The results of the 2023 drill campaign helped prove the
interconnectivity of the Phase 3 and 4 NDC-Murial mineral resources
and its subordinated mineralized pegmatites, which had been only
partially delineated in previous drilling campaigns (mainly focused
on the anchor ore body of NDC).
In the 2023 campaign, the Company intercepted additional
spodumene bearing pegmatite zones at NDC, including a new deposit
of substantial width and lithium oxide grading. Neighboring
subordinated resources have also grown in scale, such that Sigma
Lithium is changing its mine plan as the optimized structure for
Phase 3 will now encompass these neighboring pegmatites through a
singular open pit. As a result, the Company believes the increased
mineral resources can be seamlessly incorporated into its mineral
reserves by extending the current NDC mining open pit shell,
validated by the current Pre-Feasibility Study.
UPGRADE OF MINERAL RESOURCES TO RESERVES.
This "New NDC" pit contains a total of approximately 40Mt of
mineral resource, comprised of 37.8Mt of M&I resource at 1.42%
Li2O and an additional 2.3Mt Inferred at 1.26%. Given
geological consistencies and proximity of the resources, a singular
pit is the most efficient design. Additionally, this plan is
expected to save on stripping costs and enable the NDC pit to
access the new pegmatite mineralization while sharing mining
infrastructure.
The 2023 drill campaign also increased the scale of the Murial
deposit, which sits just 330 meters north of the newly enlarged NDC
resource. The Murial deposit is increasing in size to approximately
16Mt, comprised of 13.5Mt of estimated M&I resource at 1.25%
Li2O with an additional 2.6Mt inferred at 1.29%.
Confidence in the additional scale of Murial, as well as the
location of the pegmatite and proximity to NDC, validates the
following geological elements:
(i) Presence of a structural, "J-shaped" lithium corridor
that runs through Grota do Cirilo.
(ii) NDC and Murial are likely one continuous principal
pegmatite.
Figure 3: Optimized open pit structures for NDC -
Murial
Figure 4: The NDC-Murial strike extends 3.2 kilometer
North-South.
Drilling confirms that the Murial pegmatite (as well as the new
NDC) remain open at depth, to the west and to the east, leaving
room for resource expansion over time. The Company's 2024 drill
campaign will include step-out drilling to help prove a link
between NDC and Murial and build resource density along the 3.2km
NDC-Murial strike.
Figure 5: Density of executed drilling at NDC - Murial,
demonstrating potential interconnectivity of 3.2 km strike and
flanking pegmatites.
BARREIRO EXTENSION TARGET ZONE IS A CONTINUATION OF THE
"J-SHAPED" LITHIUM CORRIDOR
The Company is also focusing the current 2024 drill campaign on
demonstrating that the Barreiro mine extends westwards ("Barreiro
Extension"), in a continuation of the existing "J-shaped" lithium
corridor. Additional neighboring outcrops and the ongoing drilling
west of Barreiro support potential connectivity between the
Extension outcrop and Barreiro, akin to NDC-Murial. The Company
estimates these Barreiro Extension initiatives may have up to 20Mt
of potential additional resource.
Figure 6: Barreiro Extension initiatives extend the
"J-Shaped" Grota do Cirilo lithium corridor further west
Figure 7: Barreiro Extension discovery
runs parallel to Barreiro, extending the Phase 2 Mine
Westwards
The Barreiro Extension site is located just west of Barreiro
(Phase 2) and represents a continuation of the spodumene
mineralization corridor that moves up through Murial. Two
additional spodumene outcrops discovered between Barreiro and its
Extension inform geology of a target area for further exploration
drilling. Prior drilling intercepts from Barreiro also support the
thesis of possible connectivity of these resources. Barreiro
Extension results to date include the following drilling
intercepts:
DH – PRO – 01 – 1.70% Li2O over 15.70m, including 1.66% Li2O over 14.53m
DH - PRO – 02 – 1.49% Li2O over 14.84m, including 1.86% Li2O over 10.93
SIGMA'S ESTIMATED MINERAL RESOURCE MAINTAIN HIGH GRADE, EVEN
AS CUTOFF GRADE INCREASES
The sensitivity analysis for Sigma Lithium's cumulative Grota do
Cirilo resource estimate is presented below. At a 0% cutoff grade,
the cumulative resource totals 110mn tonnes at 1.386%
Li2O. Alternatively, at a high cutoff grade of 1% the
cumulative resource totals 92mn tonnes at 1.511%, a reduction of
only 16% to total resource over the cutoff window. The exercise
displays the consistent, high quality, nature of the Company's
pegmatite resources, and compares favorably to current resource
estimates of many peers.
Figure 8: Sensitivity Analysis of Sigma's estimated mineral
resource potential increase at various Lithium Cut Off
Grades.
DETAILS ON THE INTERRELATED NDC-MURIAL PEGMATITES (PHASE 3
AND PHASE 4)
Sigma Lithium's Phase 3 and 4 pegmatite strike runs parallel to
the mine validated at Phase 2 (Barreiro) and are in close proximity
to each other.
The 2023 drill campaign was completed as part of a strategy to
initially increase the scale of NDC, and demonstrate connectivity
to certain other ancillary pegmatites (Maxixe, Tamboril and LDM).
The Company believes it has validated the potential connectivity of
NDC and said Phase 4 pegmatites given intersecting high quality
spodumene crystals and persistent spodumene-rich zones. The new
Phase 3 and 4 strike extends 3.2 km along a north-south path
(Figure 3) from the bottom of the NDC deposit through Murial.
Drilling confirms that the deposits remain open to the west and
east.
As prior stated, the campaign has also identified a new
pegmatite running underneath the existing mapped NDC deposit. These
discoveries support the Company's belief that the newly published
resource estimate is likely to increase with additional
drilling.
Below are some of the recent drill results at NDC, with "new
pegmatite discovery" denoting the new pegmatite structure below
NDC:
DH - NDC - 126 - 1.48% Li2O over 67.33m, including 1.57% Li2O over 63.09m
DH - NDC - 127 - 1.16% Li2O over 15.15
m, including 1.89% Li2O over 7.21m
DH - NDC - 127 - 1.47% Li2O over 50.06
m, including 1.55% Li2O over 47.54m - New pegmatite discovery
DH – NDC - 129 - 1.15% Li2O over 21.20
m, including 1.54% Li2O over 14.46m - New pegmatite discovery
Figure 9: New enlarged Phase 3 NDC optimized pit shell (L)
and resource block model (R)
The newly optimized Phase 3 strategy would leave the Murial
deposit (330 meters north of the enlarged Phase 3), to be mined
through its own pit. At 16.1Mt of total estimated mineral resource
at 1.26% Li2O, and opportunities to expand this number
over time, Murial can support this individual pit strategy. In its
current form, the Murial resource extends 1,160m long by 830m
wide, has a true mineralized width ranging from 5 to 50m and an average depth of 275m. This is the first update to the resource
estimate for Murial since the January
2019 maiden report. The prior mineral resource estimate was
5.6Mt at 1.14% Li2O M&I with an additional 0.7Mt
Inferred. Highlights from the 2023 Murial drill campaign
include:
DH - MUR - 126 - 1.19% Li2O over 76.41m
DH - MUR - 034 - 1.47% Li2O over 42.469
DH - MUR - 021 - 1.39% Li2O over 35.12m
DH - MUR - 112 - 1.62% Li20 over 33.88m
DH - MUR - 027 - 1.78% Li2O over 26.09m
DH - MUR - 031 - 1.57% Li2O over 28.75m
Figure 10: Standalone Murial optimized pit shell (L) and
resource block model (R)
GROTA DO CIRILO MINERAL RESOURCE EXPECTED TO FURTHER INCREASE
TO 150Mt
The Company is currently operating a total of 8 core diamond
drills in its leaseholds. Exploration initiatives will continue
into 2024 with drill work targeting additional structures between
NDC and Murial as well as resource expansion across the Barreiro
Extension pegmatite as top priorities.
The 2024 drill campaign will commit resources to establish a
link between Murial and NDC. The geological modeling and density of
known pegmatites supports a structural trend and potentially
continuous principal pegmatite body, consolidating NDC and Murial.
As is, the current NDC-Murial strike contains nearly 60Mt of
resource, ranging in true thickness from ~5m to upwards of ~50m,
extending over a length of 3.2km and a width of 1.3km. Improving
the resource density along this corridor allows for fewer, larger,
pits, enabling joint infrastructure development akin to leading
spodumene projects globally.
NEWLY CONFIRMED PHASE 5 INFERRED RESOURCE WITH POTENTIAL UP
TO 20MT
Finally, the updated technical report also confirms the presence
of a Phase 5 resource located within Grota do Cirilo, with a maiden
Inferred estimate of 2.1Mt at an average grading of 1.16%
Li2O. The geology team has conducted infield drilling of
this deposit and has mapped neighboring pegmatites, with
exploration to date supporting an estimated resource potential of
approximately 20Mt.
As the Company reported on November 1,
2023, further updates of this mineral resource shall
continue as drilling evolves over time. The new Phase 5 discovery
is a high value prospect for the Company. Significant results to
date include the following highlight drilling intercepts:
DH - ELV - 08 - 0.98% Li2O over 68.06m, including 1.81% Li2O over 20.46m
DH - ELV - 11 - 1.08% Li2O over 28.46m, including 1.49% Li2O over 15.25m
DH - ELV - 03 - 1.29% Li2O over 22.29m, including 1.42% Li2O over 20.03m
DH - ELV - 05 - 1.24% Li2O over 17.82m, including 1.37% Li2O over 15.86m
DH - ELV - 07 - 0.77% Li2O over 22.2m, including 1.54% Li2O over 7.54m
DH - ELV - 12 - 0.72% Li2O over 14.54m, including 1.52% Li2O over 4.38m
DH - ELV - 04 - 0.79% Li2O over 13.08m, including 1.47% Li2O over 5.85
Figure 11: Phase 5 early block model with resource extension
opportunities
DRILLING OF ADDITIONAL 57 TARGETS LOCATED AT
MINING RIGTHS OUTSIDE GROTA DO CIRILO
Sigma Lithium is conducting 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 team has prior defined the surface area and the
weathered mineralogy of these 57 targets.
CURRENT MINERAL RESOURCE AND PHASE 1-5 RESULTS
The Amended and Restated Technical Report from January 18, 2024 shows a Consolidated Mineral
Resource on the Grota do Cirilo property of 94.3Mt of Measured and
Indicated Resources at a grade of 1.40% Li2O and
Inferred Resources of 14.6Mt also at a grade of 1.37%
Li2O (Table 1). Table 2 shows the Consolidated Resource
from Phases 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, which are displayed in Tables
3-7.
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 9, 2023, for further
information on the Mineral Resource statements.
Table 1: Grota do Cirilo Consolidated Mineral Resource
January 2024 (a-g)
CUT-OFF GRADE
(%Li20)
|
CATEGORY
|
TONNES
(MT)
|
(%Li20)
|
|
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Measured
|
45.2
|
1.41
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Indicated
|
49.1
|
1.39
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
M &
I
|
94.3
|
1.40
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Inferred
|
14.6
|
1.37
|
|
|
Table 2: Phase 1 (Xuxa) Mineral Resource Estimate
CUT-OFF GRADE
(%Li20)
|
CATEGORY
|
TONNES
(MT)
|
(%Li20)
|
|
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Measured
|
10.2
|
1.59
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Indicated
|
7.2
|
1.49
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
M &
I
|
17.4
|
1.55
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Inferred
|
3.8
|
1.58
|
|
|
Table 3: Phase 2 (Barreiro) Mineral Resource
Estimate
CUT-OFF GRADE
(%Li20)
|
CATEGORY
|
TONNES
(MT)
|
(%Li20)
|
|
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Measured
|
19.5
|
1.38
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Indicated
|
6.1
|
1.29
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
M &
I
|
25.6
|
1.36
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Inferred
|
3.8
|
1.38
|
|
|
Table 4: Phase 3 (Nezinho do Chicao) Mineral Resource
Estimate
CUT-OFF GRADE
(%Li20)
|
CATEGORY
|
TONNES
(MT)
|
(%Li20)
|
|
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Measured
|
5.4
|
1.35
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Indicated
|
32.4
|
1.42
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
M &
I
|
37.8
|
1.42
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Inferred
|
2.3
|
1.26
|
|
|
Table 5: Phase 4 (Murial) Mineral Resource Estimate
CUT-OFF GRADE
(%Li20)
|
CATEGORY
|
TONNES
(MT)
|
(%Li20)
|
|
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Measured
|
10.1
|
1.31
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Indicated
|
3.4
|
1.07
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
M &
I
|
13.5
|
1.25
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Inferred
|
2.6
|
1.29
|
|
|
Table 6: Phase 5 (Elvira) Mineral Resource Estimate
CUT-OFF GRADE
(%Li20)
|
CATEGORY
|
TONNES
(MT)
|
(%Li20)
|
|
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Measured
|
0.0
|
0.00
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Indicated
|
0.0
|
0.00
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
M &
I
|
0.0
|
0.00
|
|
|
0.3 %
|
Inferred
|
2.1
|
1.16
|
|
|
Disclosures to
Resource Estimate:
|
a)
|
The effective date
of the Grota Do Cirilo Mineral Resource Estimate is January 18,
2024
|
b)
|
The Mineral Resource
Estimate was estimated by Marc-Antoine Laporte, M.Sc., P. Geo. of
SGS Geological Services and is an independent Qualified Persons as
defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Laporte conducted a site visit to the
Grota Do Cirilo Property on November 23-24, 2023.
|
c)
|
Mineral resources
which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic
viability. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of
confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and
must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably
expected that most of the Inferred Mineral Resources could be
upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued
exploration.
|
d)
|
Sigma Lithium is
moving to a 0.3% cutoff grade from a 0.5% to align resources with
process capability, as the Company's Greentech beneficiation plant
can process ore concentrations down to 0.3%. Across Xuxa, Barreiro
and Nezinho do Chicao the move to 0.3% from 0.5% adds 575,852
tonnes to resource.
|
e)
|
Mineral Resources
are reported assuming open pit mining methods, and the following
assumptions: lithium concentrate (5.3% Li2O) price of US$1,300/t,
mining costs of US$2.20/t for mineralization and waste, crushing
and processing costs of US$10.70/t, general and administrative
(G&A) costs of US$4.00/t, metallurgical DMS recovery of 60%, 2%
royalty payment, pit slope angles of 55º, and an overall cut-off
grade of 0.3% Li2O.
|
f)
|
All Resources are
presented undiluted and in situ, constrained by continuous 3D
wireframe models, and are considered to have reasonable prospects
for eventual economic extraction.
|
g)
|
All figures are
rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and
numbers may not add due to rounding.
|
Conference Call
The Company will a conference call to discuss the resource
update at 1:00 p.m. EST on Thursday,
February 1, 2023. Participating on the call will be
Co-Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Ana Cabral and Directors of Geology, Iran Zan
and Dyonn Hage. To participate in the call, please proceed through
the following link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88211037256 . Or
dial:
+1 507 473 4847 United States
+1 564 217 2000 United States
+1 646 558 8656 United States
Webinar ID: 882 1103 7256
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTROL AND DATA VERIFICATION
Sigma Lithium maintains a comprehensive chain of custody and
QA/QC program on assays from its Grota do Cirilo Project. Mr
Laporte has reviewed the sample chain-of-custody,
quality-assurance, and quality control (QA/QC) procedures, and the
accreditations of analytical laboratories used by Sigma
Lithium.
The QP is of the opinion that the procedures and QA/QC are
acceptable to support Mineral Resource estimation. Mr. Laporte also
audited the assay database, core logging and geological
interpretations and found no material issues with the data as a
result of these audits.
In the opinion of the QP, the data verification programs
undertaken on the geological and assay data collected from the
Grota do Cirilo Project support the geological interpretations and
the analytical and database quality, and the data collected can
support Mineral Resource estimation.
Half-sawn core is processed at the on-site preparation
laboratory and prepared samples then are shipped by secure courier
to SGS Geosol Laboratories in Brazil, an [ISO17025-accredited] facility. All
check samples were dispatched to a second laboratory analysis and
sent to ALS in Vancouver. The ALS
results were compared with the SGS-Geosol results to verify the
reliability of the primary laboratory results. The results of
the check assays suggested a strong correlation and a high
similarity between the two sets of samples.
All diamond drilling core samples submitted for assay were saw
cut with one-half supplied for assay and one-half archived for
reference. The physical preparation follows the steps: drying,
crushing of 75% to 3mm, homogenization, splitting of Jones, and
pulverization of 100g in a Tungsten carbide pan until 150 meshes
with 95% of passing pulp. In 5% of the samples, the control of
particle size and loss of mass is carried out in the crushing and
pulverization stages (QCgranul and QCloss of mass). The analytical
method adopted was ICP90A, carrying out the sodium peroxide (Na2O2)
fusion and ICP AES. Samples with the content of Li2O% > 3.225
(over-limit for ICP90A) were reanalyzed by ICP90Q, consisting of
sodium peroxide (Na2O2) fusion in concentrates (ICP AES).
Sampling was carried out following strict QA/QC procedures.
Certified reference materials (standards) were inserted into the
sample stream. Blanks AMIS0577, AMIS0484, and AMIS0865 were
submitted at a rate of 1 per 29 samples and introduced
preferentially at upper or lower contacts of the main pegmatitic
intercepts. Standards AMIS0341, AMIS0342, AMIS0565, and AMIS0408
were inserted at the same rate as blanks, mostly within the
pegmatite intervals.
In addition, QC controls were added preferably in pegmatite
samples with a satisfactory content of Li2O%, enough to make a fair
comparison between the original samples and controls. Coarse and
pulp duplicates were injected at a rate of 1 per 40 samples, while
the check samples were at a rate of 1 per 20 samples.
QUALIFIED PERSONS
The independent qualified person (QP) for the Grota do Cirilo
mineral resource estimates is Marc-Antoine
Laporte P.Geo., M.Sc., of SGS Group in Quebec, Canada. Mr. Laporte is a Qualified
Person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101.
The technical and scientific information related to Mineral
Resource Estimates in this news release has been reviewed and
approved by Marc-Antoine
Laporte.
Other disclosures in this news release of a scientific or
technical nature at the Grota do Cirilo Project have been reviewed
and approved by Iran Zan MAIG (Membership number 7566), who is
considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional
association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr.
Zan is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is Sigma
Lithium co-Head of Geology and co-General Manager of Sigma
Lithium.
Mr. Zan has verified the technical data disclosed in this news
release not related to the current Mineral Resource estimate
disclosed herein.
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 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 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 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 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.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.
APPENDIX 1: MINERAL RESOURCE DETAILS FOR DEPOSITS/PROJECTS
NOTED IN FIGURE 1
Note 1: Resource as displayed in Figure 1
is qualified on a measured and indicated basis only
Company
|
Mine
|
M&I (k
MT)
|
M&I Grade
(Li2O%)
|
M&I
(Mt LCE)
|
Source:
|
Critical
Elements
|
Rose
|
30.5
|
1.03 %
|
0.8
|
Investor Presentation -
Aug-23
|
Frontier
|
PAK
|
26.0
|
1.60 %
|
1.0
|
Investor Presentation -
Jun-23
|
Latin
Resources
|
Salinas
|
41.0
|
1.36 %
|
1.4
|
Company Presentation -
Jun-23
|
Lithium
Ionic
|
Itinga
|
16.7
|
1.38 %
|
0.6
|
Company Presentation -
Sep-23
|
Leo Lithium
|
Goulamina
|
102.3
|
1.45 %
|
3.7
|
Press Release Update -
Jun-23
|
AMG Lithium
|
Mibra
|
20.3
|
1.35 %
|
0.7
|
Company's
Website
|
Mineral
Resources/Ganfeng
|
Mt Marion
|
42.4
|
1.43 %
|
1.5
|
Press Release Update -
Sep-23
|
Mineral
Resources
|
Wodgina
|
182.1
|
1.15 %
|
5.2
|
Press Release Update -
Sep-23
|
Allkem
|
James Bay
|
54.3
|
1.30 %
|
1.7
|
Press Release Update -
Sep-23
|
Allkem
|
Mt Cattlin
|
9.0
|
1.40 %
|
0.3
|
Press Release Update -
Sep-23
|
Core Lithium
|
Finniss
|
19.4
|
1.37 %
|
0.7
|
Press Release Update -
Apr-23
|
Piedmont
|
Carolina
|
28.2
|
1.12 %
|
0.8
|
Company Presentation -
Feb-23
|
Piedmont/Sayona
|
NAL
|
73.7
|
1.06 %
|
1.9
|
Company Presentation -
Feb-23
|
Piedmont
|
Ewoyaa
|
28.0
|
1.27 %
|
0.9
|
Company Presentation -
Feb-23
|
Sayona
|
Moblan
|
49.9
|
1.20 %
|
1.5
|
Investor Presentation -
May-23
|
Liontown
|
Buldania
|
14.9
|
1.00 %
|
0.4
|
Corporate Presentation
- Aug-23
|
Liontown
|
Kathleen
Valley
|
129.0
|
1.38 %
|
4.4
|
Corporate Presentation
- Aug-23
|
CBL
|
Mina da
Cachoeira
|
4.0
|
1.40 %
|
0.1
|
Company's
Website
|
Pilbara
Minerals
|
Pilgangoora
|
337.0
|
1.15 %
|
9.6
|
Corporate
Presentation
|
SQM
|
Mt Holland
|
178.0
|
1.54 %
|
6.8
|
Project's DFS -
Apr-22
|
Patriot Battery
Metals
|
Corvette
|
0.0
|
-
|
|
Company Presentation -
Aug-23
|
Savannah
|
Barroso
|
18.4
|
1.04 %
|
0.5
|
Company Presentation -
Sep-23
|
Kodal
Minerals
|
Bougouni
|
11.6
|
1.13 %
|
0.3
|
Company's
Website
|
Rock Tech
Lithium
|
Georgia Lake
|
10.6
|
0.88 %
|
0.2
|
Company Presentation -
Sep-23
|
Sigma
Lithium
|
Grota do
Cirilo
|
94.3
|
1.40 %
|
3.3
|
Corporate Presentation
- Sep-23
|
IGO, Tianqi,
Albemarle
|
Greenbushes
|
239.4
|
1.80 %
|
10.7
|
FY 23 Resources
Statement
|
AVZ Minerals
|
Manono
|
269.0
|
1.65 %
|
11.0
|
Company's
Website
|
Disclaimer: the list of projects is not comprehensive, and Sigma
Lithium does not assume any responsibility as to the accuracy of
the reported data and/or any updates related to them.
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SOURCE Sigma Lithium