Canadian-based Sigma Lithium has received positive economic results from a study to potentially triple integrated production of battery-grade sustainable lithium concentrate at its Grota do Cirilo project, currently in construction in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The study looked at increasing production from 270,000 tonnes/annum commencing in 2023 to 768,000 tpa in the second year, which could position Sigma as one of the world’s largest fully integrated lithium producers.
Sigma said the expansion could be achieved by the addition of a single, larger dense media separation module paired with a proportional crushing module to the Greentech lithium plant. Construction of the Phase 2 and Phase 3 mines would increase mining feedstock for the plant expansion.
Additionally, Sigma has signed definitive agreements for up to US$100 million senior secured pre-export financing with shareholder Synergy Capital. The debt financing will fully fund the company until August 2023, including the initiation of detailed engineering and construction of Grota do Cirilo’s expansion.
Grota do Cirilo represents one of the largest and highest-grade hard rock lithium spodumene deposits in the Americas.
Source: Sigma Lithium