Sigma Lithium resumes mining at Mine 1 in Brazil after restructuring, boosting capacity, safety, and production scalability with strong partner support.
Sigma Lithium Corporation, a globally recognized lithium producer focused on supplying responsibly sourced materials for next-generation electric vehicle batteries, has announced the successful resumption of mining operations at its Mine 1 site in the Vale do Jequitinhonha region of Brazil. The restart took place as planned and marks a significant operational milestone for the Company following an extensive restructuring phase completed during the fourth quarter of 2025.
The recommencement of mining activities concludes a comprehensive overhaul of Sigma Lithium’s mining operations, which was fully directed and managed by the Company’s internal technical leadership team. This restructuring effort involved close coordination with specialized subcontractors responsible for providing critical equipment and services, including drilling and blasting, alongside a locally based workforce comprising drivers and heavy machinery operators. At present, more than 600 personnel are actively working on site, underscoring the scale of operations and the Company’s commitment to regional employment.
A central objective of the restructuring was to enhance safety standards and improve overall operational efficiency. At the same time, Sigma Lithium aimed to significantly expand its earthmoving capacity to align with the growing throughput requirements of its Greentech Industrial Plant. This was achieved by incorporating a larger fleet of off-road mining equipment, enabling the Company to triple its previous earthmoving capabilities and ensure a steady, reliable flow of ore to support increased production levels.
The restructuring initiative was partially funded through the commercial success of Sigma Lithium’s high-purity, low-grade lithium oxide concentrate fines, produced at the Greentech Industrial Plant and managed through a dry-stacking process. Sales of these fines have begun generating substantial gross proceeds. Based on recent realized pricing and available inventory levels at year-end, the potential revenue from fines sales is comparable to that generated by several months of high-grade lithium concentrate production. In addition to these proceeds, Sigma Lithium has benefited from continued financial backing from its global customer base and financing partners. These stakeholders have provided working capital facilities and contractual collateral tied to future production, reducing the Company’s reliance on external third-party financing.
The newly implemented mining operating model is designed to support a significant increase in production scale over the next 12 months. This expansion will coincide with the resumption of construction and subsequent commissioning of the Phase 2 Greentech Industrial Plant, which is intended to address rapidly growing global demand for lithium-based battery materials.
Mining operations are being restarted using a phased equipment deployment strategy. Initially, third-party equipment is being mobilized on site, followed by leased machinery, all in accordance with mine sequencing plans and strict safety protocols. This measured approach enables a controlled ramp-up during the first quarter of 2026, with progressively increasing volumes of ore delivered to the Greentech Industrial Plant. Throughout the restructuring period, the plant has remained operational by processing strategic stockpiles, including dry-stacked tailings and previously mined ore blended with host rock.
Sigma Lithium plans to issue full-year 2026 production guidance once mining activities reach steady-state operations, expected later in the first quarter of 2026. The Company emphasizes that its low-cost operating structure and margin-focused business model provide strong resilience against lithium price volatility. This strategic positioning has reinforced Sigma Lithium’s role as a key contributor to the global battery supply chain and strengthened long-term partnerships with customers and financiers.
Commenting on the milestone, Ana Cabral, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairperson of Sigma Lithium, highlighted that the mining restructuring reflects the Company’s unwavering commitment to safety, disciplined execution, and efficiency during a period marked by significant market volatility. She noted that the upgraded mining operations will allow Sigma Lithium to fully capitalize on the substantial capacity enhancements already completed at the Greentech Industrial Plant.
Cabral also credited the successful restart to the dedication of the 600-person workforce in Vale do Jequitinhonha, supported by the Company’s global commercial and financial teams. She expressed gratitude to Sigma Lithium’s customers, financiers, and Brazilian regulatory authorities, including the National Mining Agency, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and the Minas Gerais State Government, for their continued support in sustaining economic growth and prosperity across the region.
