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Grota do Cirilo

A Sustainable Future for Mining

The Grota do Cirilo project sets a new standard for environmentally sustainable mining operations, combining the best practices in its Greentech Plant process

Innovative mining technology

With an automated digital method of controlling dense media, the plant can produce high-quality lithium more efficiently and sustainably.

100% of water used to be recirculated

Grota do Cirilo boasts a high level of water efficiency, with 100% of the water used in the production process recirculated into the plant.

Roughly 10% of this is lost or evaporates. 90% of the water previously consumed is reused by the production plant.

100%

of water used to be recirculated

100% dry stacked tailings​

Tailings from the production process are dry-stacked, which removes the need for a mud tailings dam and its associated environmental impacts.

Because the production process involves no hazardous chemicals, the tailings materials can be recycled for us within other industries.

100%

dry stacked tailings

100% green power

All water and power needs are provided by the Jequitinhonha River that runs adjacent to the site.

The hydropower plant 50km away from the mine delivers 100% green energy, significantly reducing the emissions generated by the production process.

100%

green power

Project Summary

Location
Minas Gerais, Brazil
Ownership
100%
Deposit Type
Hard rock spodumene
Reserves (P&P)
54.8 Mt @ 1.44% Li2O
Resources (M&I)
85.6 Mt @ 1.43% Li2O
Resources (Inferred)
8.6 Mt @ 1.43% Li2O
Annual Production
766 Kt/y Green Lithium | 104 Kt LCE
AISC (CIF China)
US$523/t
Annual Free Cash Flow
US$1.8 B
After-Tax NPV8%
US$15.3 B
After-Tax IRR
1,282%

Project Summary

Project details

Sigma Lithium has tremendous exploration potential including over 200 identified pegmatites on its ~20,000 hectare land package (200 km²), representing 29 mineral rights.

Grota do Cirilo is a “Tier-1” operation that is among the largest and highest-grade hard rock lithium deposits in the world, with excellent metallurgy and low impurities. Sigma Lithium is expected to be a top 5 lithium producer globally upon achieving full-scale commercial production at its Grota do Cirilo Project.
Grota do Cirilo is expected to deliver a unique coarse and high-quality lithium concentrate, which will result in higher margins and operational efficiencies for Sigma Lithium’s end users. The coarse size of the concentrate has the potential to deliver 20 to 30 percent greater efficiency in the lithium hydroxide and carbonate chemicals production process.

Sigma Lithium is currently focused on constructing the Grota do Cirilo Project in a phased approach, with Phase 1 production having commenced from the Xuxa deposit in 2023. Production is expected to be approximately tripled by 2024 via a Phase 2 & 3 expansion through the development of the nearby Barreiro and NDC deposits.

Sigma Lithium has conducted significant metallurgical testing at its Grota do Cirilo Project, conducting pilot plant production on site since 2018.

Reserves and Resources

Phase 1

Phase 1 is expected to produce 270,000 tonnes of high-purity 5.5% Green Lithium concentrate (36,700 LCE) per year over an 8 year mine life. The Phase 1 operation is expected to be one of the lowest cost hard rock lithium producers in the industry with a life of mine CIF All-in Sustaining Cost of US$459/t (CIF China). Importantly, Phase 1 capex includes key items to ensure a seamless transition to Phase 2 & 3, which is expected to double annual production by 2024.

Concluding the commissioning of 50% of the Greentech Plant, the first shipment was planned for April 2023.

Lithium Mineral Resources

Resources Category
Ore(Mt)
Grade (Li₂O %)
LCE (Kt)
Measured
10.2
1.59%
401
Indicated
7.2
1.49%
266
Measured & Indicated
17.4
1.55%
667
Inferred
3.8
1.58%
149
Total
21.2
2.56%
815

Lithium Mineral Reserves

Resources Category
Ore(Mt)
Grade (Li₂O %)
LCE (Kt)
Proven
8.3
1.55%
320
Indicated
3.5
1.54%
132
Total
11.8
1.55%
452

Phase 2 & 3

Phase 2 & 3 are expected to approximately triple Sigma Lithium’s production rate to 766,000 tonnes of high-purity 5.5% Green Lithium (104,200 LCE) per year. The Phase 2 & 3 operation will leverage infrastructure built for the Phase 1 operation and DMS testing results validate that Phase 2 & 3 material can be processed in a similar way as Phase 1. Construction for Phase 2 & 3 could start in 2023.

Phase 2

Lithium Mineral Resources

Resources Category
Ore(Mt)
Grade (Li₂O %)
LCE (Kt)
Measured
18.7
1.41%
653
Indicated
6.3
1.30%
204
Measured & Indicated
25.1
1.38%
857
Inferred
3.8
1.39%
131
Total
28.9
1.38%
989

Lithium Mineral Reserves

Resources Category
Ore(Mt)
Grade (Li₂O %)
LCE (Kt)
Proven
16.9
1.38%
577
Indicated
4.8
1.29%
153
Total
21.8
1.37%
730
Phase 3

Lithium Mineral Resources

Resources Category
Ore(Mt)
Grade (Li₂O %)
LCE (Kt)
Measured
2.4
1.56%
93
Indicated
24.3
1.48%
889
Measured & Indicated
26.7
1.49%
984
Inferred
-
-
-
Total
26.8
1.49%
984

Lithium Mineral Reserves

Resources Category
Ore(Mt)
Grade (Li₂O %)
LCE (Kt)
Proven
2.2
1.53%
82
Indicated
19.0
1.44%
677
Total
21.2
1.45%
759

Consolidated Reserves and Resources

1- Tonnages and grades have been rounded in accordance with reporting guidelines. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

2- Mineral Reserves are reported with an effective date of February 24, 2022 and Mineral Resources are reported with an effective date of January 2019, February 11, 2022 and May 30, 2022.

3- Consolidated Mineral Resources include the Murial and Lavra Deposits (in addition to Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3).

4- Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Proven & Probable Mineral Reserves.

Lithium Mineral Resources

Resources Category
Ore(Mt)
Grade (Li₂O %)
LCE (Kt)
Measured
37.1
1.43%
1,314
Indicated
39.9
1.43%
1,410
Measured & Indicated
77.0
1.43%
2,600
Inferred
8.6
1.43%
304
Total
85.6
1.43%
2,904

Lithium Mineral Reserves

Resources Category
Ore(Mt)
Grade (Li₂O %)
LCE (Kt)
Proven
27.4
1.44%
979
Indicated
27.3
1.43%
962
Total
54.8
1.44%
1,941
Core and Concentrate
Greentech Plant
Phase 1 Mine

Technical Reports

Technical Report
RIMA Report