Sigma Lithium Resources Corporation (“
Sigma” or
the “
Company”) (TSXV:
SGMA)
(OTCQB:
SGMLF) reports that, further to its
news release dated October 1, 2019 and clarifying news release
dated October 7, 2019 announcing an independent feasibility study
(“
FS”) on the Xuxa deposit
(“
Xuxa”) at Sigma’s 100% owned Grota do Cirilo
Project (the “
Sigma Project”) located in Brazil,
it has today filed the supporting technical report titled “Grota do
Cirilo Lithium Project, Araçuaí and Itinga Regions, Minas Gerais,
Brazil, National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on Feasibility
Study Final Report”, dated October 18, 2019 and with an effective
date of September 16, 2019 (the “
FS Technical
Report”).
The FS Technical Report was prepared by leading mining
consultancies and professional services firms Primero Group
Americas Inc. (a subsidiary of Primero Group Ltd), SGS Geological
Services, Worley Parsons and GE21 Consultoria Mineral.
Summary of Key Xuxa Feasibility Study
Outcomes
The FS envisages a 1.5 Mtpa spodumene ore mining and lithium
concentrate processing operation. The Xuxa plant will be powered by
green hydroelectricity. Sigma is committed to high standards of
environmental practices in its operations by utilizing dry stacking
and recycling 90% of the water used in its beneficiation plant,
amongst other initiatives. Selecting Xuxa as the first mine to
enter production constitutes a low-risk execution strategy for the
Company. As the ore from Xuxa can be processed with high recoveries
in a low capex plant with DMS circuits (Dense Media Separation),
without requiring a more complex flotation circuit. The FS is based
only on the current open-pit mining plan without contemplating an
underground mine plan.
The FS is based on a 2021 arms-length nominal price forecast of
US$ 650 CIF China for 6% lithium concentrate. Sigma contracted
Roskill Consulting Group Ltd. (“Roskill”) to
provide an outlook and overview of the lithium market. Roskill
provided a comprehensive updated market study in August 2019
analyzing current and future trends in the market, prices of
lithium chemicals such as lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, as
well as prices of 6% lithium concentrate for vertically integrated
and non-integrated chemical producers.
Table 1. Financial Results Summary of
Feasibility Study for the Xuxa Mine and Plant
Item |
Unit |
Total |
Economic Returns |
|
|
Net present value (NPV 8%) After-Tax |
US$ |
249
million |
Internal rate of return (IRR) After-Tax |
% |
43.2% |
After-Tax Payback period |
years |
3.1 |
Financials |
|
|
Life of Mine (LOM) |
years |
9.2 |
Initial Capital Expenditure (Capex) (1) |
US$ |
98.5 million |
Exchange rate BRL/US$ (2) |
BRL/US$ |
3.85 |
Costs |
|
|
Cash costs per tonne of lithium concentrate (3) |
US$/t |
238 |
Freight costs to China (3) |
US$/t |
104 |
Total Cash Cost (CIF China) |
US$/t |
342 |
Market Prices Roskill Forecast in FS |
|
|
Lithium concentrate CIF China port in 2021 |
US$/t |
650 |
Lithium concentrate CIF China port average LOM |
US$/t |
733 |
Notes:
- Initial capital includes pre-production working capital of
$10.96 million and 10% contingency of $10.47 million.
- A conservative two-tier exchange rate was used as a base to the
FS. BRL 3.85 / USD 1.00 for quotes provided from third party
information providers and BRL 4.10 / USD 1.00 for the amounts
provided in dollars from Sigma.
- Cash spodumene concentrate costs include mining, processing,
selling, general and administration expenses (SG&A).
- Freight costs include road transport to Port of Ilheus in
Bahia, port storage, loading and shipping to Shanghai Port.
Background of Sigma’s Project
Development Strategy
1. Feasibility Study for Xuxa Mine and Construction of
Xuxa Plant:
- The positive economics of the FS provides a strong platform for
Sigma to continue to evaluate and develop its extensive 191 km2
mineral properties, which include nine past-producing lithium mines
and 11 first priority exploration targets.
- Sigma adopted a development strategy with includes
low-technical execution risk and low-capital expenditures for the
Sigma Project. As a result, Sigma decided to conduct its first
feasibility analysis exclusively on the Xuxa deposit. The FS
contemplates a 1.5 Mtpa open-pit mine and processing plant.
- The Xuxa deposit was selected for FS evaluation because it has
a unique combination of:
- A high-average grade of 1.55% Li₂O with low levels of alkaline
and iron impurities, enabling ore processing through a lower
technical risk dense media separation (“DMS”)
plant with lower production costs, while achieving economically
positive recovery results.
- Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves totaling 13.8 Mt grading
1.46% Li2O
- Mineralization with large crystals of spodumene enabling the
production of a coarse lithium concentrate, which will have
commercially competitive advantages.
- Sigma successfully produced, on a continuous basis using DMS
technology, a coarse lithium concentrate grading more than 6%
lithium oxide at its pilot plant on site in Brazil.
- Commercially, Sigma’s coarse high-quality lithium concentrate
is considered a premium product by customers in the chemical
industry as it allows converters to achieve higher margins and
operational efficiencies. It is understood that the coarse size of
the concentrate has the potential to increase the recoveries that
can be achieved in the lithium hydroxide and carbonate chemicals
production process. Table 2 summarizes the projected Xuxa mine and
Xuxa plant forecasts at the anticipated 1.5 Mtpa production
rate.
Table 2. Xuxa Mining and Concentrate Plant
Forecasts at 1.5 Mtpa
Item |
Unit |
Total |
Ore Processed Total ore quantity milled
(LOM) Annual run of mine (ROM) ore
milled Spodumene ore feed grade LOM
average Strip ratio |
tonnestonnes%Ratio : |
13.8 million1.5 million1.469.6: 1 |
Concentrate Produced LOM Average Lithium
concentrate produced Lithium recovery rate Lithium
concentrate grade Lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE)
produced |
Tonnes%% of Li2OTonnes of LCE |
220,00060.4633,000 |
Run of Mine Costs Mining
costs per waste and ore mined Processing costs per tonne
(ROM) |
US$/t minedUS$/t ROM |
2.1211.03 |
Table 3. Xuxa Mineral Reserve
Table
Mineral Reserve Categories |
ROM (Mt) |
Li2O Grade (%) |
Proven Reserve |
10.27 |
1.45 |
Probable Reserve |
3.52 |
1.47 |
Total Proven and Probable Reserve |
13.79 |
1.46 |
Table 4. Xuxa Mineral Resource
Table
Mineral Resource Categories |
Tonnage (Mt) |
Li2O Grade (%) |
Measured Resource |
10.2 |
1.59 |
Indicated Resource |
7.2 |
1.49 |
Total Measured and Indicated Resource |
17.4 |
1.55 |
Inferred Resource |
3.8 |
1.58 |
Notes:
- Cut-off grade 0.5% Li2O
- The mineral resource estimate has been conducted using the CIM
Definitions Standards for mineral resources in accordance with
National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects.
- Mineral resources, which are not mineral reserves, do not have
demonstrated economic viability.
- Inferred mineral resources are exclusive of the Measured and
Indicated resources.
- Resources are constrained by the topography.
- Bulk density of 2.70 t/m3 is used.
- All numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand.
2. Subsequent development of Barreiro mine and
construction of an additional module to Xuxa
Plant
- A pre-feasibility study (“PFS”) has been
commenced at Barreiro, Sigma's second deposit slated for
development at the Sigma Project. The NI 43-101 mineral resource
update for the Sigma Project as of January 6, 2019 outlined a
measured and indicated mineral resource at Barreiro of 20.5 Mt of
spodumene lithium with an average grade of 1.43% Li2O.
- In accordance with Brazil law, a Plano de Aproveitamento
Economico (“PAE”) was filed with the Brazilian
mining regulator (Agência Nacional de Mineração), for which
approval is pending. The PAE is not a NI 43-101 compliant document.
The Barreiro-Xuxa PAE envisages an integrated 3.0 Mtpa two-stage
development of the Sigma Project, beginning with 1.5 Mtpa initial
production from the Xuxa mine and plant. The PFS commissioned by
Sigma will study the viability for a separate on-surface mining
operation at the nearby Barreiro mine, along with the construction
of an additional module to the Xuxa Plant to process an additional
1.5 Mtpa from a Barreiro mine.
- The FS and the commissioned Barreiro PFS each envisages a
sequenced development strategy for the Sigma Project, with a
modular, integrated, expanded joint development of the
Xuxa-Barreiro deposits, aiming to process a total of 3 Mtpa and an
envisaged increase in production to around 440,000 tons
annually.
Table 5. Barreiro Mineral Resource
Table
Mineral Resource Categories |
Tonnage (Mt) |
Li2O Grade (%) |
Measured Resource |
10.3 |
1.40 |
Indicated Resource |
10.2 |
1.46 |
Total Measured and Indicated Resource |
20.5 |
1.43 |
Inferred Resource |
1.9 |
1.44 |
Notes:
- Cut-off grade 0.5% Li2O
- The mineral resource estimate has been conducted using the CIM
Definitions Standards for mineral resources in accordance with
National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects.
- Mineral resources, which are not mineral reserves, do not have
demonstrated economic viability.
- Inferred mineral resources are exclusive of the Measured and
Indicated resources.
- Resources are constrained by the topography.
- Bulk density of 2.71 t/m3 is used.
- All numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand.
Qualified Persons The technical and scientific
information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by
(i) Marc Antoine Laporte, P.Geo., M. Sc., of SGS Canada Inc., (ii)
Ara Erzingatzian, P.Eng, of Primero Group Americas Inc., and (iii)
Porfirio Cabaleiro Rodriguez, Mining Engineer of GE21 Consultoria
Mineral Brazil, each of whom is a qualified person as defined by NI
43-101 and is independent of Sigma.
In addition to the qualified persons noted above, the additional
individuals who were responsible for parts of the FS Technical
Report, each of whom is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101
and independent of Sigma, were:
- Frederic Claridge, M.S., P.Eng., Senior Technical Director,
Advisian Americas, a division of WorleyParsons Canada Services
Ltd.
- Lucas Duerte, P.Eng., MSc, PMP.
- Kiedock Kim, P.Eng. Lead Process Engineer, Primero Group
Americas Inc.
ABOUT SIGMA LITHIUM
Sigma is a Canadian company that started to produce
environmentally sustainable battery-grade lithium concentrate on a
pilot scale in 2018, shipping high quality above 6% Li2O coarse
lithium concentrate samples to potential customers in Asia. Based
on the National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on Feasibility
Study Final Report, a larger scale lithium concentration commercial
production plant will contemplate a capacity of 220,000 tonnes
annually of battery-grade low cost lithium concentrate. Sigma will
be amongst the lowest cost producers of lithium concentrate
globally
Sigma is on track to achieve commercial production in 2021 of
its “green” 6% battery grade lithium concentrate engineered with
low impurities to the specifications of its customers in the
fast-growing lithium-ion battery supply chain.
In order to secure a leading position supplying the clean
mobility and green energy storage value chain, Sigma has adhered to
the highest standards of environmental practices as part of its
core purpose, since it initiated its activities in 2012. Sigma
production process is powered by green hydroelectricity and the
Company utilizes state of the art dry stacking tailings management
and water recycling techniques in its beneficiation process.
Our corporate mission is to execute our strategy while embracing
strict environmental, social, and governance
(“ESG”) principles. Sigma’s shareholders include
some of the largest ESG-focused institutional investors in the
world.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Sigma
Lithium Resources Corporation: www.sigmalithiumresources.com
Company Contact:Betty Joy LeBlanc, BA, MBADirector
of Corporate CommunicationsTel: + 1 604
828-0999betty.leblanc@sigmaca.com Ana Cabral Chief Strategy Officer
and Director of Investor Relations 55 11
2985-0089ana.cabral@sigmaca.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release
contains forward-looking statements relating to Sigma’s objectives,
the potential for increased resources, concentration plant
construction and expected production levels, achieving sustainable
production and other statements that are not historical facts.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the
plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will
occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous
assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both
general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the
predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking
statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and
results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates
or projections of future performance or results expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. These assumptions,
risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the state of
the economy in general and capital markets in particular, the
availability of project financing on reasonable terms, investor
interest in the business and future prospects of Sigma and the
settlement of definitive offtake and other commercial
agreements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release
are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by
law, Sigma disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
required by applicable securities law. Additionally, Sigma
undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or
statements made, by third parties in respect of the matters
discussed above. The key risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results or the material factors and assumptions applied in
preparing forward-looking information to differ materially from
predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions
are discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Sigma’s Filing
Statement dated April 26, 2018. We caution that the foregoing list
is not exhaustive of all possible factors.
For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions
that could cause our actual results to differ from current
expectations, please refer to our public filings available 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.
Sigma Lithium (TSXV:SGMA)
Graphique Historique de l'Action
De Nov 2024 à Déc 2024
Sigma Lithium (TSXV:SGMA)
Graphique Historique de l'Action
De Déc 2023 à Déc 2024