SIGMA LITHIUM ANNOUNCES 1Q25 PREVIEW: OUTPERFORMS TARGETS, OPERATIONAL PROFITABILITY, 24% EBITDA MARGIN

Rhea-AI Summary

Sigma Lithium (SGML) delivered exceptional Q1 2025 results, outperforming targets across key metrics. The company produced 68,308t of lithium oxide, marking a 26% increase from Q1 2024. Financial performance showed strong resilience with revenues of US$47.7 million (28% YoY increase) and EBITDA of US$10 million (224% YoY increase), achieving 21% EBITDA margin. Operational efficiency was demonstrated through reduced costs, with CIF China Cash Costs at US$458/t and All-In Sustaining Costs at US$622/t, beating FY 2025 targets by 8% and 6% respectively. The company's strong community support was evidenced by 91% favorable testimonials during public hearings, while creating over 1,700 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs. Sigma's strategic location in Brazil has helped insulate it from global trade disruptions while maintaining strong market presence.

Positive

• Production volume increased 26% YoY to 68,308t, exceeding target of 67,500t
• EBITDA grew 224% YoY to US$10 million despite lower lithium prices
• Revenue increased 28% YoY to US$47.7 million
• Operating costs decreased significantly: CIF China costs down 17% YoY, AISC reduced 20% YoY
• Strong community support with 91% favorable testimonials
• Created 1,700 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs in the region

Negative

• Lower lithium pricing environment affecting overall market conditions
• Sales volumes affected by accounting cut-off, with 29,000t ship loading occurring after quarter end

Insights

Mining Industry Financial Analyst

Sigma Lithium outperforms targets with 26% higher production, 28% revenue growth, and 224% EBITDA increase year-over-year, maintaining profitability despite lower lithium prices.

Sigma Lithium has delivered exceptional operational performance in Q1 2025, demonstrating remarkable resilience in a challenging lithium pricing environment. The company produced 68,308 tonnes of lithium oxide, exceeding its target of 67,500 tonnes and achieving 26% growth compared to Q1 2024.

The cost metrics tell a compelling story of operational efficiency. With CIF China Cash Costs of US$458/t and All-In Sustaining Costs (AISC) of US$622/t, Sigma has beaten its FY 2025 targets by 8% and 6% respectively. These represent substantial year-over-year improvements of 17% and 20%, positioning Sigma among the lowest-cost producers in the lithium industry.

This cost leadership has translated into solid financial results despite weaker lithium pricing. Revenue reached US$47.7 million, marking a 28% increase over Q1 2024. Most impressively, EBITDA surged to US$10.0 million, a remarkable 224% increase year-over-year, with EBITDA margins of 21% and adjusted EBITDA margins of 24%.

Sales volumes of 61,584 tonnes appear lower than production due to an accounting cut-off before loading a ship with 29,000 tonnes. This timing issue means significant revenue will shift to Q2 results, creating a potential tailwind for next quarter's performance.

Sigma's operations in Brazil benefit from strong community support, with the company reporting 91% favorable depositions during public hearings. This social license to operate, combined with explicit government backing, reduces regulatory risks and supports long-term operations.

The strategic location in Brazil, a diplomatically neutral BRIC nation, offers insulation from global trade disruptions and geopolitical tensions. This geographical advantage allows Sigma to deliver its products to all markets while expanding its global market share.

CEO Ana Cabral's emphasis on focusing on "what we can control" reflects a disciplined execution mentality that has enabled Sigma to thrive despite market headwinds. By prioritizing operational excellence and cost efficiency, the company has built significant operational resilience to navigate lithium price cycles while continuing to grow production and profitability.

• Sigma Lithium continued to demonstrate its operational resilience delivering strong financial performance:
  • Production of 68,308t of lithium oxide, above target and 26% higher than 1Q24.
  • CIF China Cash Costs and All-In Sustaining Costs: US$458/t and US$622/t, respectively 8% and 6% better than FY 2025 targets.
  • EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for non-cash expenses: US$10m and US$11.4m, respectively, representing 21% and 24% EBITDA margins; and a significant 28% increase in revenues compared to 1Q24.
    
    
• The Company was truly honored by the overwhelming positive endorsement received from our communities at Vale do Jequitinhonha, demonstrated by over 2,000 supporters during the public hearings on lithium production at Brazil's Lithium Valley:
  • An unprecedented 91% of favorable depositions and testimonials from the residents of cities Itinga and Araçuaí.
    
    
• We are also proud to be able to count on the unequivocal support of Brazil's Federal Government and of Minas Gerais State Government:
  • Sigma Lithium has become a locomotive of prosperity in the region, creating over 1,700 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs with more than 21,000 people benefiting from our social inclusion programs of microcredit and irrigation for subsistence family agriculture.

SÃO PAULO, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sigma Lithium Corporation (TSXV/NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34) ("Sigma Lithium" or the "Company"), a leading global lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicles with socially and environmentally sustainable lithium concentrate, is releasing a preview of its first quarter 2025 earnings, ahead of the Company's senior management participation in several key events next week, including Brazil Week in New York and the APEX Brazil-China Seminar in Beijing, held during the visit of Brazil's Presidential Delegation.

Sigma Lithium delivered a superb operational performance in the first quarter of 2025, with both production and low costs outperforming the Company's full-year 2025 targets. Building on the positive trajectory of financial performance established over the last year, the Company achieved significant improvements across all key metrics compared to the first quarter of 2024, despite a weaker lithium pricing environment: lower costs, increased production and sales volumes, and higher revenues and EBITDA.

Key Operational and Financial Highlights:

Financial and Operational metrics1	1Q25 (Preview)	Comments
Production Volumes	68,308 t	•   Above target of 67,500t. •   26% increase over 1Q24 production
Sales Volumes	61,584 t	•   Accounting cut-off for sales on March 30, before loading of ship     with 29,000t sold. •   17% increase over 1Q24 sales
Operating Cash Cost (Plant Gate)	US$349/t	•   12% lower than 1Q24 costs.
Operating Cash Cost (CIF China)	US$458/t	•   8% better than target for FY 2025. •   17% lower than 1Q24 costs.
All-in Sustaining Cost (AISC)	US$622/t	•   6% better than target for FY 2025. •   20% lower than 1Q24 costs.
Revenues	US$47.7 mm	•   Flat compared to 4Q24, despite lower volumes •   28% increase over 1Q24, despite lower current lithium pricing
EBITDA	US$10.0 mm	•   224% increase over 1Q24, despite lower current lithium pricing •   3% increase compared to 4Q24, despite lower volumes.
Adjusted EBITDA	US$ 11.4 mm	•   113% increase over 1Q24, despite lower current lithium pricing  •   Adjusted only for non-cash stock-based compensation
EBITDA / Adjusted EBITDA Margin	21% / 24%	•   In line with 4Q24, resulting from disciplined execution

The Company's Co-Chairperson and CEO, Ana Cabral, commented, "Our teams have delivered superb execution in the 1Q25, which is demonstrated by our continued strong financial performance across all metrics. This quarter, we continued to outperform the financial targets set for FY2025, highlighted by our low all-in-sustaining-costs, amongst the lowest in the entire lithium industry. As a result, we built significant operational resilience which enables us to successful navigate the lithium price cycles. The financial strengthening of the Company over the last year is also demonstrated by our significant financial outperformance versus the 1Q24, achieved by our relentless execution and strong focus on "what we can control". We remain committed to progressing responsibly and with discipline with our growth strategy, to build lasting value for all of our stakeholders."

The strategic location of the Company's subsidiary Sigma Brazil, responsible for 100% of its operations in Brazil, a diplomatically neutral, investor-friendly country and BRIC leader, helped insulate the Company from global trade disruptions and broader geopolitical tensions. Sigma Brazil delivers its lithium oxide materials to all markets, continuously increasing its global market share as it increases production, while strengthening and expanding its client relationships and international reach.

We are proud to be able to count on the unequivocal support of Brazil's Federal Government and of Minas Gerais State Government. We were also truly honored by the overwhelming support received from our communities at Vale do Jequitinhonha, demonstrated by over 2,000 supporters and an unprecedented 91% of positive depositions and testimonials given by residents of our cities Itinga and Aracuai during the public hearings regarding lithium production at Brazil's Lithium Valley conducted by the State of Minas Gerais District Attorney ("Ministerio Publico") with all companies operating in the region.

The Company expects to release the full first quarter of 2025 financial and operating results on May 14, 2025 after the market closes. The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results on May 15, 2025, at 8:00 AM ET. To participate in the call, click here to register

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.

The Company operates one of the world's largest lithium production sites—the fifth-largest industrial-mineral complex for lithium oxide—at its Grota do Cirilo Operation in Brazil. Sigma Lithium is at the forefront of environmental and social sustainability in the electric vehicle battery materials supply chain, producing Quintuple Zero Green Lithium: net-zero carbon lithium made with zero dirty power, zero potable water, zero toxic chemicals, and zero tailings dams.

Sigma Lithium currently produces 270,000 tonnes of lithium oxide concentrate on an annualized basis (approximately 38,000–40,000 tonnes of LCE) at its state-of-the-art Greentech Industrial Lithium Plant. The Company is now constructing a second plant to double production capacity to 520,000 tonnes of lithium oxide concentrate (approximately 77,000–80,000 tonnes of LCE).

For more information about Sigma Lithium, visit our website 

Sigma Lithium

LinkedIn: Sigma Lithium
Instagram: @sigmalithium
Twitter: @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 Groto 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.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.

1Financial metrics are based on the expected results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Unit operating Plant Gate costs include mining, processing and on-site G&A expenses. It is calculated on an incurred basis, credits for any capitalised mine waste development costs, and it excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization of mine and processing associated activities. When reported on CIF basis reported cash costs include trucking, warehousing and port related expenses, ocean freight, insurance and royalties. Cash gross margin is revenue, net of cost of products sold (excluding D&A), expressed as a percentage of reported revenues. EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure of the Company's recurring core earnings profile. It is calculated as revenue minus cash operating and selling expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization (D&A) expenses.

 

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SOURCE Sigma Lithium Corporation

FAQ

What were Sigma Lithium's (SGML) key financial results for Q1 2025?

In Q1 2025, Sigma Lithium reported revenues of US$47.7M (up 28% YoY), EBITDA of US$10M (up 224% YoY), and achieved EBITDA margins of 21%. Production reached 68,308t of lithium oxide, exceeding targets and up 26% YoY.

How did SGML's production costs perform in Q1 2025?

SGML's costs improved significantly with CIF China Cash Costs at US$458/t (8% better than FY2025 target, 17% lower YoY) and All-In Sustaining Costs at US$622/t (6% better than target, 20% lower YoY).

What was Sigma Lithium's production volume in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024?

Sigma Lithium produced 68,308t of lithium oxide in Q1 2025, representing a 26% increase compared to Q1 2024 and exceeding their target of 67,500t.

How many jobs has Sigma Lithium created in Brazil's Vale do Jequitinhonha region?

Sigma Lithium has created over 1,700 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs in the region, with more than 21,000 people benefiting from their social inclusion programs.

What was the community response to SGML's lithium production in Brazil's Lithium Valley?

The community showed overwhelming support with over 2,000 supporters and 91% favorable depositions and testimonials from residents of Itinga and Araçuaí cities during public hearings.