UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR
15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of May 2024

 

Commission File Number: 001-40786

 

Sigma Lithium Corporation

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

 

2200 HSBC Building

885 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6C 3E8
(Address of principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ¨      Form 40-F x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ¨

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ¨

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Description
   
99.1 Press release dated May 16, 2024

 

 

 

  

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  Sigma Lithium Corporation
  (Registrant)
Date: May 16, 2024 Shape

Description automatically generated with low confidence
  Ana Cristina Cabral Gardner
  Chief Executive Officer
   

  

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

  

 

 

SIGMA LITHIUM REPORTS 1Q 2024 RESULTS: 

MAY SHIPMENT PRICED AT $1,290, INCREASED 25% FROM 1Q; 

PRODUCTION COSTS AT $397/t, 2ND LOWEST IN INDUSTRY

  

FIRST QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS ($ USD)

 

·Strengthened commercial position in May, achieving a premium price of USD $1,290/t, at a fixed formula of 9% of lithium hydroxide quoted at LME, delivering:
o11% price increase from April
o25% price increase from 1Q24 realized sales price (USD $930/t or $1,035/t on a 6% basis)

 

·Revenues from volumes of Quintuple Zero High Purity Lithium Concentrate sold in 1Q totaled $49.1 million.
oSales volumes totaled 52,857/t
oProduction volumes totaled 54,168/t

 

·Reduced reported cash cost by 16% from 4Q23, approaching 3Q cost guidance:
oFOB cash costs of $462/t (guidance $420/t)
oCash costs at industrial plant gate averaging $397/t (guidance of $370/t)

 

·Robust 1Q24 EBITDA margins:

 

o35.3% margins on pro forma EBITDA(3) of $17.4 million, generated by business conducted in 1Q24.
o15.8% margins on reported 1Q adjusted EBITDA of $5.9 million.

 

·Board of Directors made a Final Investment Decision to build a second Greentech Industrial Plant that will increase production capacity to 520,000/t of Quintuple Zero Green Lithium from the current 270,000 t/year.

 

·Extended operational life to 25 years at the Company’s 100% owned Grota do Cirilo industrial-mineral complex at an industrial throughput of 520,000 t/year: Increase of 40% in proven and probable mineral reserves to 77 million tonnes (from 54.8 million tonnes).

  

Conference Call Information

 

The Company will conduct a conference call to discuss its financial results for the first quarter at 12:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, May 16, 2023. Participating on the call will be Co-Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Ana Cabral. To register for the call, please proceed through the following link Register here. For access to the webcast, please Click here.

 

SAO PAULO (May 16, 2024) – SIGMA Lithium Corporation (“Sigma Lithium” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SGML, TSXV: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34), a leading global lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicles with carbon neutral, responsibly sourced chemical grade lithium concentrate, today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. The Quarterly Filings and accompanying Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) are available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), EDGAR (www.sec.gov) and the Company's corporate website.

 

Ana Cabral, Co-Chairperson and CEO said: "During 2024, Sigma has delivered on several key milestones aimed at doubling industrial capacity by 2025. We made the final investment decision to initiate construction of a second Greentech plant, and we extended operational life to 25 years at Grota do Cirilo by increasing our audited proven and probable mineral reserve by 40%. Our entire team is focused on the execution of this industrial and mineral capacity expansion, repeating the success of Phase 1 by delivering this second stage of operational growth on time and on budget.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She added: “Operationally, our team has been progressing consistently towards achieving robust cash flow generation for 2024. We continue to premiunize the price of our Quintuple Zero Green Lithium, increasing May prices by 11% from April, and a nearly 30% from the 1Q24 average realized prices. We reduced reported cash cost by 16% vs 4Q23, approaching guidance.

 

Key Performance Metrics for Quarter Ended 31 March 2024 ($ USD)

 

   Unit  1Q24  4Q23
Concentrate Produced  tonnes  54,168  59,938
Concentrate Grade Produced  %  5.4%  5.3%
Concentrate Sold  tonnes  52,857  64,670
Reported Revenue  $ 000s  37,202  37,688
Average Reported Selling Price  $/t  704  583
Revenue for Business Conducted in 1Q  $ 000s  49,141  67,500
Average Realized Selling Price in 1Q  $/t  930  1,067
Unit Operating Cost (1)  $/t  397  478
Adjusted EBITDA (2)  $ 000s  5,878  1,295
Net Income  $ 000s  (6,962)  (9,500)
Cash and Cash Equivalents  $ 000s  108,191  48,584

  

Sigma Lithium made two full shipments of its Quintuple Zero Green Lithium concentrate during the first quarter as the March shipment was concluded in the first week of April.

·Sales were supplemented by an additional sale to Glencore AG of volumes at port totalling 8,700/t at the end of the quarter.
·Revenues associated with volumes sold in the first quarter totaled $49 million, implying a realized FOB sales price of $930/t.
·Reported revenues for the first quarter totaled $37.2 million (C$50.4 million).
oProvisional price adjustments reduced 1Q24 revenues by USD $12 million, an improvement from the $30 million price adjustment in 4Q23, as lithium concentrate prices turned upward after the Lunar New Year.

 

Cash unit operating costs(1) for lithium concentrate produced at the Company’s Grota do Cirilo operations in the first quarter averaged USD $397/t. The 4Q cash cost FOB Vitoria (which includes transportation and port charges) averaged USD $462/t (or $483/t with royalties).

·This is a nearly 16% improvement from the reported FOB costs in 4Q23 and is an important step to meeting Company cost targets of $370/t plant gate and $420/t FOB.
·Sigma Lithium has already seen an improvement in its cost structure given productivity actions taken, and notes that production at the processing plant was the primary hinderance to achieving guided costs during the first quarter. The Company reiterates its expectation to achieve guidance within 2Q24 for 3Q average realization.

 

The Company delivered first quarter adjusted EBITDA of $5.9 million (C$8.1 million), reflecting a margin of 15.8%. Reported EBITDA for the first quarter totaled $3.1 million (C$4.3 million).

·This number includes $0.5 million (C$0.7 million) of non-recurring expenditures, including those associated with the strategic review, and $2.3 million (C$3.1 million) in non-cash stock-based compensation expenses.

 

1Q24 results had a $12 million provisional price adjustment to revenues resulting from shipments in the 4Q23. Without this provisional price adjustment, the Company delivered a pro forma adjusted EBITDA for business conducted in 1Q24 of $17.4 million, implying a margin of more than 35%.

 

Net income in the quarter was a loss of $7.0 million (C$9.3 million), or ($0.06) per diluted share outstanding.

 

Operational Update and Phase 2 Expansion

 

Lithium concentrate production in the first quarter totaled 54,168 tonnes, compared to the 59,938 tonnes produced in 4Q23. No single factor weighed materially on production, but it was impacted, in part, by holiday seasonality and fewer work days. Sigma maintained a delivery schedule of approximately 35 days. The Company has successfully continued to improve Greentech plant efficiency in 2024, and notes that production improved sequentially through the course of the first quarter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On April 1, 2024, the Board of Directors announced a Final Investment Decision (“FID”) for the Company’s Phase 2 Greentech Plant expansion. The project is expected to add 250,000 tonnes of production capacity to the current 270,000-tonne Phase 1 operation. Earthworks engineering is ongoing. Building and commissioning are expected to occur within 12 months of the FID announcement, with the first commercial production expected in 2Q25. The total expected capex for the Phase 2 construction is $100 million (C$136 million), and the Company has already secured all relevant environmental licenses to build and operate the second Greentech Plant.

 

Ninth Shipment Scheduled for the week of May 20

 

The Company is also announcing today that it has finalized pricing discussions for its ninth shipment of Quintuple Zero Green Lithium concentrate scheduled for the week of May 20th. The 22,000/t shipment will be priced at the formula of 9% of the LME/Fastmarkets lithium hydroxide benchmark, implying $1,290/t at today’s market ($1,459/tonne gross of VAT).

 

The current value of the May shipment reflects an 11% price increase over the Company’s eighth shipment in April, where the $1,160/tonne secured price was equivalent to 8.75% of the LME/Fastmarkets Lithium Hydroxide prices.

 

A similar price discovery process was followed through closed private bidding for the fixed portion of the price formula, though the final economics will depend on LME/ Fastmarkets lithium hydroxide benchmark at one month after the landing of the shipment. Sigma Lithium will continue to adapt its marketing strategy to maximize the commercial value of its premium Quintuple Zero Green Lithium

 

Sigma Lithium Commercial Director Catarina Noci, stated: “The economics for our May shipment represent a continuation in the market recovery that started in the days following the Lunar New Year. Indications from the market point to a firm outlook for lithium concentrate as we enter the price discovery process for our next shipment in June. Demand for our Quintuple Zero Green Lithium continues to be robust as a result of its superior chemical properties and coarse particles. We will evolve our pricing strategy to follow market dynamics in order to capture as much as possible of the 20-30% cost savings embedded in the “value-in-use” we deliver to our downstream clients.”

 

Balance Sheet & Liquidity

 

Sigma Lithium ended the first quarter with $108.2 million (C$146.4 million) in cash and cash equivalents. This represents a material increase from the $48.5 million in cash at the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2023. At the end of the quarter, the Company had $201 million (C$272 million) in short and long-term loans and export prepayment liabilities. This included $89 million in drawn and available, but unutilized, liquidity through trade finance lines.

 

Capital expenditures during the first quarter totaled $5.6 million (C$7.6 million) directed towards maintenance, exploration as well as incremental investments in the Greentech Plant to boost production. In total, the Company’s net debt position over the course of 1Q increased by $13 million, reflecting the annual interest payment made in connection with the outstanding debt.

 

Free cash flow was a modest drag as a result of lower market prices in the quarter, higher receivables, as well as the conclusion of the March shipment taking place in the first week of April (resulting in one less shipment made during the 1Q24 compared with 4Q23).

 

ABOUT SIGMA LITHIUM

 

Sigma Lithium (NASDAQ: SGML, TSXV: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34) is a leading global lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicle batteries with carbon neutral, socially and environmentally sustainable chemical-grade lithium concentrate.

 

Sigma Lithium operates at the forefront of environmental and social sustainability in the EV battery materials supply chain and is currently producing Quintuple Zero Green Lithium concentrate from its Grota do Cirilo Project in Brazil. Phase 1 of the project entered commercial production in 2Q23 and has an annual capacity of 270,000 tonnes of concentrate (36,700 LCE annually). The Company is currently working to expand production via a Phase 2 concentrate line and associated mine which would add another 250,000 tonnes of Quintuple Zero Green Lithium capacity annually. The project produces lithium concentrate at its state-of-the-art Greentech lithium plant that uses 100% renewable energy, 100% recycled water and 100% dry-stacked tailings.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Please refer to the Company’s National Instrument 43-101 technical report titled “Grota do Cirilo Lithium Project Araçuaí and Itinga Regions, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Amended and Restated Technical Report” issued March 19, 2024, which was prepared for Sigma Lithium by Homero Delboni Jr., MAusIMM, Promon Engenharia; Marc-Antoine Laporte, P.Geo, SGS Canada Inc; Jarrett Quinn, P.Eng., Primero Group Americas; Porfirio Cabaleiro Rodriguez, (MEng), FAIG, GE21 Consultoria Mineral; and William van Breugel, P.Eng (the “Updated Technical Report”). The Updated Technical Report is filed on SEDAR and is also available on the Company’s website.

 

For more information about Sigma Lithium, visit https://www.sigmalithiumresources.com/

  

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

 

Matthew DeYoe, EVP, Corporate Affairs and Strategic Development
+1 (201) 819-0303
matthew.deyoe@sigmalithium.com.br

 

Daniel Abdo, Director, Investor Relations

+55 11 2985-0089

daniel.abdo@sigmalithium.com.br

 

Sigma Lithium

Sigma Lithium
@sigmalithium
@SigmaLithium

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This news release includes certain “forward-looking information” under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including but not limited to statements relating to timing and costs related to the general business and operational outlook of the Company, the environmental footprint of tailings and positive ecosystem impact relating thereto, donation and upcycling of tailings, timing and quantities relating to tailings and Green Lithium, achievements and projections relating to the Zero Tailings strategy, achievement of ramp-up volumes, production estimates and the operational status of the Grota do Cirilo Project, and other forward-looking information. All statements that address future plans, activities, events, estimates, expectations or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur is forward-looking information, including statements regarding the potential development of mineral resources and mineral reserves which may or may not occur. Forward-looking information contained herein is based on certain assumptions regarding, among other things: general economic and political conditions; the stable and supportive legislative, regulatory and community environment in Brazil; demand for lithium, including that such demand is supported by growth in the electric vehicle market; the Company’s market position and future financial and operating performance; the Company’s estimates of mineral resources and mineral reserves, including whether mineral resources will ever be developed into mineral reserves; and the Company’s ability to operate its mineral projects including that the Company will not experience any materials or equipment shortages, any labour or service provider outages or delays or any technical issues. Although management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information inherently involves and is subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to that the market prices for lithium may not remain at current levels; and the market for electric vehicles and other large format batteries currently has limited market share and no assurances can be given for the rate at which this market will develop, if at all, which could affect the success of the Company and its ability to develop lithium operations. 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 information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because 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 the current annual information form of the Company and other public filings available under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1: Income Statement Summary

 

   Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
   Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
 
($000)  CAD   USD 
Revenue   50,408    37,202 
Operating costs   (38,722)   (28,642)
Gross profit   11,686    8,560 
G&A expense   (5,882)   (4,363)
Sales expense   (1,166)   (861)
Stock-based compensation   (3,066)   (2,266)
ESG and other operating expenses   (1,887)   (1,400)
EBIT   (315)   (329)
Financial income and FX (expenses), net   (9,614)   (7,104)
Income (loss) before taxes   (9,929)   (7,433)
Income taxes and social contribution   585    471 
Net Income (loss) for the period   (9,344)   (6,962)
           
Weighted avg diluted shares outstanding   110,460,681    110,460,681 
           
Earnings per share  $(0.08)  $(0.06)

  

Figure 2: Balance Sheet Summary

 

   Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
   Twelve
Months Ended
Dec. 31 2023
   Three Months
Ended Mar. 31,
2024
   Twelve
Months Ended
Dec. 31 2023
 
($000)  CAD   CAD   USD   USD 
Assets                    
    Cash and cash equivalents   146,393    64,403    108,191    48,584 
    Trade accounts receivable   39,276    29,693    29,027    22,400 
    Other current assets   51,114    48,580    37,776    36,647 
  Total current assets   236,783    142,676    174,993    107,631 
    Property, plant and equipment   236,824    239,742    175,023    180,856 
    Other non-current assets   107,613    104,820    79,530    79,074 
  Total Assets   581,220    487,238    429,546    367,561 
                     
Liabilities & Shareholder Equity                    
    Financing and export prepayment   127,149    28,907    93,968    21,807 
    Accounts payable   62,918    59,826    46,499    45,131 
    Other current liabilities   32,047    33,640    23,691    25,377 
  Total current liabilities   222,114    122,373    164,159    92,315 
    Financing and export prepayment   145,488    141,999    107,522    107,121 
    Other non-current liabilities   8,344    8,582    6,167    6,474 
  Total non-current liabilities   153,832    150,581    113,689    113,595 
                     
  Total shareholders' equity   205,274    214,284    151,699    161,651 
                     
Total Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity   581,220    487,238    429,546    367,561 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 3: Cash Flow Statement Summary

       

   Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
   Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
 
($000)  CAD   USD 
Operating Activities          
  Net income (loss) for the period   (9,344)   (6,962)
    Adjustments   20,487    15,261 
    Interest payment on loans and leases   (15,194)   (11,266)
  Adjustments to income (loss) for the period   (4,051)   (2,967)
    Change in working capital   (11,341)   (8,449)
Net Cash from Operating Activities   (15,392)   (11,416)
           
Investing Activities          
  Purchase of PPE   (5,303)   (3,952)
  Addition to exploration and evaluation assets   (2,248)   (1,667)
  Other   (55)   (41)
Net Cash from Investing Activities   (7,606)   (5,660)
           
Financing Activities          
  Proceeds of loans, net   106,862    79,237 
  Other   (846)   (627)
Net Cash from Financing Activities   106,016    78,610 
           
Effect of FX   (1,028)   (1,927)
Net (decrease) increase in cash   81,990    59,607 
Cash & Equivalents, Beg of Period   64,403    48,584 
Cash & Equivalents, End of Period   146,393    108,191 

 

Endnotes:

(1)Cash Operating Costs per tonne include mining, crushing, processing, and site administration expenses. When shown as Freight on Board (FOB), these expenses include transport and port charges. For clarity, non-site G&A, and royalty costs are excluded unless otherwise noted.
(2)Adjusted EBITDA represents a cash operating profit metric that nets revenues against cost of goods sold, selling, general, administrative and other cash operating expenses. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes stock-based compensation and certain non-recurring expenses, such as those related to the Company’s strategic review.
(3)Pro forma Adjusted EBITDA utilizes the same formula as Adjusted EBITDA, though it backs out the implications of the provisional price adjustment to associated revenues and costs. The Company believes this is a more accurate reflection of business conducted within the quarter.

  

Reconciliation

To provide investors and others with additional information regarding the financial results of Sigma Lithium, we have disclosed in this release certain non-IFRS operating performance measures of EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA margin. These non-IFRS financial measures are a supplement to and not a substitute for or superior to, the Company's results presented in accordance with IFRS.  The non-IFRS financial measures presented by the Company may be different from non-GAAP/IFRS financial measures presented by other companies. Specifically, the Company believes the non-IFRS information provides useful measures to investors regarding the Company's financial performance by excluding certain costs and expenses that the Company believes are not indicative of its core operating results.  The presentation of these non-U.S. GAAP/IFRS financial measures is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results or guidance prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP/IFRS.  A reconciliation of these financial measures to IFRS results is included herein.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 4: Adjusted EBITDA Bridge

 

   Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
   Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
 
($ 000)  CAD   USD 
Revenues   50,408    37,202 
Cost of goods sold   (38,722)   (28,642)
Gross Profit   11,686    8,560 
G&A expense   (5,882)   (4,363)
Sales expenses   (1,166)   (861)
Stock-based compensation   (3,066)   (2,266)
ESG & other operating expenses, net   (1,887)   (1,400)
EBIT   (315)   (329)
Depreciation & Amortization   4,622    3,443 
EBITDA   4,307    3,114 
EBITDA (%)   8.5%   8.4%
Non-recurring expenses   678    499 
  Accounting Services   443    324 
  Other G&A   235    174 
Stock-based compensation   3,066    2,266 
Adjusted EBITDA   8,051    5,878 
Adjusted EBITDA (%)   16.0%   15.8%

 

 

 

 

 


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