SIGMA Lithium Resources Corporation (“
Sigma” or
the “
Company”)
(TSX-V: SGMA)
(OTC- QB: SGMLF) is pleased to announce the
signing of a term sheet for a US$45 million senior secured project
finance facility (the “
Bank Project Finance
Facility”) to be led by Societe Generale. The Bank Project
Finance Facility will be used for the construction and development
of the Company’s world class and green lithium Grota do Cirilo
project in Minas Gerais, Brazil (the “
Project”).
Sigma anticipates being construction-ready in 4Q 2020 (please refer
to the Company’s June 15th, 2020 press release for a comprehensive
Project update). The consummation of the Bank Project Finance
Facility remains subject to completion of due diligence, credit
approval, the negotiation of definitive documentation and other
customary closing conditions.
FINANCING PACKAGE
HIGHLIGHTS
The Bank Project Finance Facility is expected to
comprise the majority of the funding required for the construction
of the Project, currently estimated to be US$ 74 million. The Bank
Project Finance Facility contemplates a six-year term (including a
two-year grace period for principal amount) and a borrowing rate of
USD LIBOR plus 5%, declining to LIBOR plus 4.5% after the project
reaches completion. The Bank Project Finance Facility will be
complemented with the US$27 million that remains to be disbursed
under a production pre-payment facility with Mitsui & Co (the
“Pre-Payment”, whose Heads of Agreement was signed
on April 5, 2019), and approximately US$10 million in an equity
contribution to satisfy the Bank Project Finance Facility’s total
funding requirements.
The Bank Project Finance Facility and the
Pre-Payment are expected to close concomitantly in Q4 2020 subject
to the completion of detailed engineering and the execution of an
EPC lump sum turnkey contract (the “EPC Contract”)
reflecting the fixed price committed by Duro Felguera S.A. for the
EPC of the Project.
PROJECT ADHERENCE TO IFC PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS AND EQUATOR PRINCIPLES
Société Générale is a signatory of the Equator
Principles, which are a set of rules providing a framework for
Environmental and Social (“E&S”) risk
evaluation and management in project financing. As a result of the
alignment of these with Sigma’s corporate mission, the Company has
committed to adhere to the Equator Principles and conduct an
E&S impact assessment that will address the relevant impacts
and risks in reference to local and international standards,
including the applicable IFC Performance Standards and
Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines. E&S covenants will
be included in the Bank Project Finance documentation, in
accordance with market practice.
Cormark Securities Inc. is acting as financial
advisor to the Company in connection with the Bank Project Finance
Facility.
“Sigma is an impact ESG investment and the Grota
do Cirilo Project will be a green lithium mining operation: with
dry stacking of tailings, 100% green hydroelectricity and recycling
of 90% of the water used. Thus, we have significant alignment of
purpose with Société Générale, a global leader in ESG and green
financing, and we are delighted to have them leading our project
finance facility.” said Chief Strategy Officer Ana
Cabral-Gardner.
“The comprehensive financing plan will enable
Sigma to transition the Grota do Cirilo Project in Brazil into the
next global low-cost lithium producer, further strengthening its
low break-even price competitive advantage to both withstand and
thrive in future market cycles. The Bank Project Finance marks
another important step, putting in place the foundation of a low
cost and sustainable capital structure and substantially enhancing
Sigma’s financial flexibility to manage construction and production
ramp-up”. She added.
ABOUT SIGMA LITHIUM
Sigma is a Canadian company and produces
environmentally sustainable battery-grade lithium concentrate on a
pilot scale since 2018, shipping high-quality above 6% Li2O coarse
lithium concentrate samples to potential customers in Asia. Based
on the 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 16th, 2019, a larger-scale lithium concentration
commercial production plant will contemplate a capacity of 220,000
tonnes annually of battery-grade low-cost lithium concentrate and
Sigma will be amongst the lowest-cost producers of lithium
concentrate globally.
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 in line with its
core values and mission since starting activities in 2012. Sigma’s
production process is powered by hydroelectricity and the Company
utilizes state-of-the-art dry-stacking tailings management and
water-recycling techniques in its beneficiation process. Its
corporate mission is to execute its strategy while embracing strict
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
Corporationwww.sigmalithiumresources.com
Company Contact:Anna HartleyDirector of Investor
Relations44 7866 458 093anna.hartley@sigmaca.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release includes certain
"forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities
legislation including statements relating to the timing for the
filing of the quarterly continuous disclosure documents and other
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that,
while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown
risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual
results and future events to differ materially from those expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements that
address future plans, activities, events, or developments that the
Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur are
forward-looking information, including statements regarding the
potential development of resources and drilling plans which may or
may not occur. Forward-looking statements and information contained
herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding,
among other things, the ability to complete the Annual Filings and
Interim Filings; the market price of the Company's securities,
metal prices, exchange rates, taxation, the estimation, timing and
amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating
costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory
approvals, environmental risks, title disputes, litigation risks,
failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated,
accidents, labour disputes, claims and limitations on insurance
coverage and other risks of the mining industry, changes in
national and local government regulation of mining operations, and
regulations and other matters including the COVID-19 pandemic.
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
statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result 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 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)
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