Sigma Lithium sells further 100,000 tonnes of Li fines

Executive Summary

• Sigma Lithium sold an additional 100,000 tonnes of high-purity lithium fines stored at the port of Vitoria, generating proceeds described as a "green reward" for shareholders due to the company's sustainable processing technologies.
• The company reaffirmed that its mine remobilization is proceeding as planned and is expected to conclude in January 2026, despite recent inaccurate media reports claiming an operational injunction.
• Sigma Lithium categorically denied "fake news" regarding a Ministry of Labor and Employment administrative enquiry, stating it does not represent a material event, does not impact operations, and is not an operational shutdown.

Key Details

• Sales Transaction:
  • Sold 100,000 tonnes of high-purity lithium fines.
  • Product stored at the port of Vitoria.
  • Pricing based on the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) index.
  • Adjusted net final price: $14 (U.S.) per tonne for 1% lithium oxide content.
  • Reference SMM price: $195 (U.S.) for 1.35% lithium oxide content.
  • Proceeds characterized as a return on investment in environmental technologies (dry stacking, water recycling, zero toxic chemicals, 100% renewable power).
• Operational Status:
  • Mine remobilization of contractor equipment and personnel is proceeding as planned.
  • Remobilization expected to conclude in January 2026.
  • Estimated 19,000 direct and indirect jobs maintained in the Jequitinhonha Valley.
  • Nameplate capacity: 270,000 tonnes of lithium oxide concentrate annually (approx. 38,000–40,000 tonnes LCE).
  • Second plant under construction to double production capacity.
• Regulatory & Legal Context:
  • Ministry of Labor and Employment opened an administrative enquiry in mid-December regarding waste pile safety following a regular inspection.
  • Company states the enquiry does not constitute material information and does not impact operational ability.
  • Company cites impeccable safety record: over two years without labor accidents with lost time.
  • Company alleges a "well-orchestrated and well-financed on-line defamatory campaign" involving fake websites mimicking government domains (.org vs .gov.br) and "write-for-hire" outlets.
  • Share price volatility: 30% drop on Jan. 16, 2026, with trading volume over four times the Nasdaq daily average.
  • Company has notified authorities including FINRA, the U.S. SEC, and Brazilian authorities regarding defamation and domain impersonation.
  • Previous legal actions: Defamation lawsuit against Folha de Sao Paulo won in 2025; legal notices sent to Reuters, Observatorio da Mineracao, and others.

Notable Quotes

• "Sigma Lithium reiterates that the remobilization of the contractor for equipment and personnel at the site of its mine is proceeding as planned and is expected to conclude in January, 2026."
• "The company vehemently denies as 'fake news' the inaccurate recent media reports that incorrectly denominated as an 'operational injunction' an administrative process initiated by the Ministry of Labor and Employment."
• "Sigma Lithium highlights the proceeds of the high-purity fines sold as the green reward for the shareholders of the company, resulting from the company's investment in environmental state-of-the-art technologies at its Greentech plant..."
• "The seriousness of this latest defamatory campaign led to substantial volatility in Sigma Lithium's share price on Jan. 16... The resulting 30-per-cent drop in share price that day is likely to have benefited short sellers."