SIGMA LITHIUM REPORTS 1Q25 RESULTS: STRONG MARGINS, COST OUTPERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTION ABOVE TARGET
- First quarterly net income of $4.7 million since production start
- Production volumes exceeded target at 68,308t (26% YoY increase)
- Revenue grew 28% YoY to $47.7 million
- Operating costs outperformed targets: CIF China costs 8% below target at $458/t
- Strong margins with 35% cash gross margin and 24% Adjusted EBITDA margin
- 100% uncommitted production provides flexibility for future financing options
- Cash and cash equivalents decreased 71% YoY to $31.1 million
- 32% quarter-over-quarter decline in cash position from $45.9M to $31.1M
- Total debt of $165.3 million as of March 31, 2025
- 11% decrease in production volume compared to Q4 2024
- 17% decrease in sales volumes quarter-over-quarter
Insights
Sigma Lithium posts first-ever profit with strong margins despite industry headwinds, demonstrating operational efficiency and cost discipline.
Sigma Lithium has reached a significant milestone by reporting its first-ever quarterly profit of
The financial performance exhibits impressive margins, with a cash gross margin of
What truly distinguishes Sigma's performance is its industry-leading cost structure. The company achieved CIF China cash operating costs of
The balance sheet shows some pressure with cash decreasing
A strategic advantage worth noting is Sigma's uncommitted production. Unlike many competitors,
The Plant 2 construction appears on track with long-lead equipment orders expected shortly and commissioning planned for late Q4 2025. This expansion represents a critical growth vector that should deliver economies of scale, potentially improving the already strong cost position.
While Q1 shows strong execution, investors should monitor working capital consumption and the declining cash balance, as successful funding of Plant 2 expansion will be crucial for maintaining growth momentum in this capital-intensive industry.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Reported net income of
or$4.7 million per share.$0.04 - Strong margins in 1Q25: reflecting profitability and operational efficiency.
- Cash gross margin of
35% . - EBITDA Margin of
21% . - Adjusted EBITDA margin of
24% .
- Cash gross margin of
- Achieved on target quarterly production of lithium concentrate in 1Q25:
- Production volumes of over 68,300t,
26% increase y/y, and - Sales volumes of over 61,500t,
17% increase y/y.
- Production volumes of over 68,300t,
- Achieved better than target quarterly costs:
- CIF China cash operating costs of
/t in 1Q25,$458 8% below target of /t.$500 - All-in sustaining cash costs (AISC) totaled
/t in 1Q25,$622 6% below target of /t.$660
- CIF China cash operating costs of
- Maintains
100% uncommitted production: unlocking significant financing potential:- Prepayment and offtake agreements are standard in the lithium industry.
- Represents untapped funding from customers seeking secure, long-term supply.
- Could provide financial flexibility to complement the BNDES reimbursement schedule, supporting the further construction of Plant 2.
- Advanced Plant 2 construction, with long-lead equipment orders to be placed shortly, first deliveries expected in 3Q25, and commissioning planned for end of 4Q25.
Presentation Currency
The Company changed its presentation currency to the
Conference Call Information
The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its financial results for the first quarter of 2025 at 8:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 15, 2025. To register for the call, please proceed through the following link Register here.
SÃO PAULO, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sigma Lithium Corporation (TSXV/NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34), a leading global lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicles with carbon neutral, socially and environmentally sustainable lithium concentrate, reports its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.
Ana Cabral, Co-Chairperson and CEO, commented: "We reported our first net income this quarter and delivered both production volumes and costs in line with our targets. Our disciplined approach to cost management has driven strong margin performance. With our operations in
The CEO added, "As we prepare for a significant ramp-up in production, offtake and prepayment agreement options are standard industry practices that the Company has not yet employed. To date,
Table 1. Summary of Key Operational and Financial Metrics
Production and Sales | Unit | 1Q25 | 1Q24 | Var. | 4Q24 | Var. |
Production Volumes | tonnes | 68,308 | 54,168 | 26 % | 77,034 | -11 % |
Sales Volumes | tonnes | 61,584 | 52,857 | 17 % | 73,900 | -17 % |
Average grade of shipped product | % of Li2O | 5.0 | 5.4 | -6 % | 5.2 | -4 % |
COGS | $/t | 556 | 631 | -12 % | 434 | 28 % |
Operating Cash Cost at Plant Gate (2) | $/t | 349 | 397 | -12 % | 318 | 10 % |
Operating Cash Cost CIF China (2) | $/t | 458 | 551 | -17 % | 427 | 7 % |
All-in Sustaining Cash Cost (2) | $/t | 622 | 774 | -20 % | 592 | 5 % |
Financial Performance | Unit | 1Q25 | 1Q24 | Var. | 4Q24 | Var. |
Sales Revenue(3) | 47,673 | 37,202 | 28 % | 47,336 | 1 % | |
COGS | (34,218) | (28,642) | 19 % | (32,079) | 7 % | |
Cash Gross Profit | 16,675 | 4,855 | 243 % | 19,693 | -15 % | |
Average Revenue per Tonne (3) | $/t | 774 | 704 | 10 % | 641 | 21 % |
EBITDA(4) | 10,010 | 3,089 | 224 % | 9,734 | 3 % | |
Stock-based compensation | 1,416 | 2,266 | -37 % | 2,525 | -44 % | |
Adjusted EBITDA(4) | 11,426 | 5,356 | 113 % | 12,259 | -7 % | |
Net Income | 4,728 | (6,909) | 168 % | (8,541) | 155 % | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at the end | 31,111 | 108,191 | -71 % | 45,918 | -32 % |
Revenues and Production
Sigma Lithium reported revenues of
The Company reported production volumes of 68,308 tonnes in 1Q25, slightly higher than quarter production target of 67,500 tonnes, and
Costs
The Company reported a cost of sales of
- Lower production volumes by
11% during 1Q25, which resulted in a higher operating cash cost per tonne; - Higher freight and distribution costs, as CIF ocean freight costs for the last two shipments made in 4Q24 were recognized in 1Q25; and
- The allocation of stock-based compensation for operating personnel to operating costs, which began in 2025. Prior to 2025, all stock-based compensation was allocated to SG&A expenses.1
Despite the increase in cost of sales in 1Q25, the Company's operating cash costs remain among the lowest in the industry, with CIF China cash operating costs averaging
Despite an
_________________________________ |
1 Starting January 1, 2025, the Company began allocating stock-based compensation for certain operational personnel directly to operating costs, in alignment with revised internal cost attribution practices. This change reflects a more accurate representation of total operating expenses. Prior to 2025, these costs were reported under general and administrative expenses. |
Cash Operating Margin(2), Adjusted EBITDA(4) and Adjusted EBITDA Margin(4)
Sigma Lithium reported cash gross profit of
For the first quarter of 2025, EBITDA totaled
Net Income
Sigma Lithium reported net income of
Balance Sheet & Liquidity
As of March 31, 2025, the Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled
- Capital expenditures of
;$4.8 million - Increase in working capital of
, mainly due to higher accounts receivable ($9.0 million ) and inventories ($14.7 million ) at period-end, as payment for a quarter-end deal was settled in early 2Q25; and$3.4 million - Repayment of short-term debt of
.$10.2 million
The Company reduced its short-term trade finance by approximately
The Company is evaluating potential long-term prepayment and offtake agreements, in line with standard industry practices. To date, it has maintained full commercial flexibility, with
Operational and Phase 2 Expansion Updates
In 2025, the Company continued its process optimization initiatives at the current Greentech plant, focusing on improving ultrafines screening efficiency and stabilizing the DMS cyclones, efforts that contributed to higher recoveries in the plant's production process. As part of the 2Q25 maintenance plan, the operations team will upgrade the thickener module to enhance processed water filtration and recovery, thereby further contributing to the overall efficiency of the plant.
In the second half of May, the scheduled crusher module maintenance will involve replacing the current screens with newly designed screens, which are expected to enhance the overall quality and reliability of the crusher module, reducing the maintenance time and costs going forward.
During the first quarter of 2025, the Company continued civil works at the Plant 2 site, with approximately 200 workers engaged in construction activities. Having completed procurement and contractual negotiations, the Company expects to place orders for long-lead items in the coming months, with initial deliveries beginning in 3Q25, followed by the assembly of mechanical structures.
Qualified Person Disclosure
Please refer to the Company's National Instrument 43-101 technical report titled "Grota do Cirilo Lithium Project Araçuaí and Itinga Regions,
The independent qualified person (QP) for the Technical Report's mineral resource estimates is Marc-Antoine Laporte P.Geo., M.Sc., of SGS Group in
Other disclosures in this news release of a scientific or technical nature at the Grota do Cirilo Project have been reviewed and approved by Iran Zan MAIG (Membership number 7566), who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Zan is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is Sigma Lithium Director of Geology.
Mr. Zan has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release not related to the current mineral resource estimate disclosed herein.
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
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
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.
Financial Tables
The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were reviewed by the Company's independent auditor in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Figure 1: Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) Summary
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |
( | |||
Revenue | 47,673 | 37,202 | |
Cost of goods sold & distribution | (34,217) | (28,642) | |
Gross profit | 13,456 | 8,560 | |
Sales expense | (205) | (861) | |
G&A expense | (4,759) | (4,363) | |
Stock-based compensation (1) | (805) | (2,266) | |
ESG and other operating expenses | (896) | (1,400) | |
EBIT | 6,791 | (329) | |
Financial income and (expenses), net | (5,447) | (4,190) | |
Non-cash FX & other income (expenses), net | 8,384 | (2,860) | |
Income (loss) before taxes | 9,728 | (7,380) | |
Income taxes and social contribution | (5,000) | 471 | |
Net Income (loss) for the period | 4,728 | (6,909) | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 111,271 | 110,752 | |
Earnings per share | ( |
(1) Excluding stock-based compensation allocated to operating costs. Starting January 1, 2025, the Company began allocating stock-based compensation for certain operational personnel directly to operating costs, in alignment with revised internal cost attribution practices. This change reflects a more accurate representation of total operating expenses. Prior to 2025, these costs were reported under general and administrative expenses. |
Figure 2: Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Summary
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position | As of March 31, | As of December 31, | |
( | |||
Assets | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | 31,111 | 45,918 | |
Trade accounts receivable | 27,035 | 11,583 | |
Inventories | 21,232 | 16,140 | |
Other current assets | 21,208 | 19,129 | |
Total current assets | 100,585 | 92,771 | |
Property, plant and equipment | 152,533 | 141,025 | |
Other non-current assets | 98,815 | 93,322 | |
Total Assets | 351,934 | 327,118 | |
Liabilities & Shareholder Equity | |||
Financing and export prepayment | 55,786 | 61,596 | |
Suppliers & accounts payable | 41,289 | 32,627 | |
Other current liabilities | 20,248 | 14,548 | |
Total current liabilities | 117,323 | 108,771 | |
Financing and export prepayment | 112,880 | 112,003 | |
Other non-current liabilities | 14,736 | 14,004 | |
Total non-current liabilities | 127,617 | 126,007 | |
Total shareholders' equity | 106,994 | 92,340 | |
Total Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity | 351,934 | 327,118 |
Figure 3: Cash Flow Statement Summary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |
( | |||
Operating Activities | |||
Net income (loss) for the period | 4,728 | (6,909) | |
Adjustments, including FX movements | 3,203 | 15,198 | |
Interest payment on loans and leases | (1,149) | (11,392) | |
Adjustments to income (loss) for the period | 2,054 | 3,806 | |
Change in working capital | (8,968) | (8,369) | |
Net Cash from Operating Activities | (2,186) | (11,472) | |
Investing Activities | |||
Purchase of PPE | (3,454) | (3,976) | |
Addition to exploration and evaluation assets | (296) | (1,748) | |
Other | (1,043) | (40) | |
Net Cash from Investing Activities | (4,793) | (5,764) | |
Financing Activities | |||
Proceeds of loans, net | (10,193) | 79,273 | |
Other | (579) | (663) | |
Net Cash from Financing Activities | (10,772) | 78,610 | |
Effect of FX | 2,944 | (1,767) | |
Net (decrease) increase in cash | (14,807) | 59,607 | |
Cash & Equivalents, Beg of Period | 45,918 | 48,584 | |
Cash & Equivalents, End of Period | 31,111 | 108,191 |
Footnotes & Reconciliations:
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 such as unit operating costs, 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-
1. Cash unit operating costs include mining, processing, and site based general and administration costs. 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 an FOB basis, this metric includes road freight, and port related charges. When reported on a CIF basis it includes ocean freight, insurance and royalty costs. Royalty costs include a
For CIF operating cost analysis purposes, the Company uses the ocean freight costs of products that sailed during the reporting period. However, for accounting purposes, and therefore in this quarter's reported cost of good sold and revenues, ocean freight is treated as a service provided to a customer and is recognized when the product is delivered.
Cash unit all-in sustaining cost includes unit CIF China cash operating cost, SG&A, maintenance capex and financial expenses.
Cash-Cost to Cost of Sales Reconciliation | 1Q25 | 4Q24 | |
($ per tonne) | |||
Operating Cash Cost at Plant Gate | 349 | 318 | |
Freight to Port & Warehouse | 51 | 49 | |
CIF Freight & Distribution Cost | 36 | 42 | |
Royalties | 22 | 17 | |
Operating Cash Cost CIF China | 458 | 427 | |
Freight Accounting Adjustments | 23 | (16) | |
D&A expenses | 46 | 51 | |
Inventory and Other Accounting Adjustments | 28 | (28) | |
Cost of Sales (COGS) | 556 | 434 |
2. Cash operating profit represents revenue less cost of sales (COGS), excluding depreciation and amortization (D&A) expenses. Cash operating margin is cash operating profit divided by total revenue for the period.
3. Average revenue per tonne is calculated as total revenue for the period divided by total sales volume in tonnes. Average COGS per tonne is calculated as total cost of sales (COGS) for the period divided by total sales volume in tonnes.
4. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of the Company's recurring core earnings profile. It is calculated as revenue minus cash operating and selling expenses. The calculation excludes non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization (D&A) and stock-based compensation expenses. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by total revenue for the period.
EBITDA | Three | Three Months | |
( | |||
Revenues | 47,673 | 37,202 | |
Cost of goods sold & distribution | (34,217) | (28,642) | |
Gross Profit | 13,456 | 8,560 | |
Sales expenses | (205) | (861) | |
G&A expense | (4,759) | (4,363) | |
Stock-based compensation | (805) | (2,266) | |
ESG & other operating expenses, net | (896) | (1,400) | |
EBIT | 6,791 | (329) | |
Depreciation & Amortization | 3,219 | 3,419 | |
EBITDA | 10,010 | 3,089 | |
EBITDA (%) | 21 % | 8 % | |
Stock-based compensation (1) | 1,416 | 2,266 | |
Adjusted Cash EBITDA | 11,426 | 5,355 | |
Adjusted EBITDA (%) | 24 % | 14 % |
(1) Total amount of stock-based compensation. Starting January 1, 2025, the Company began allocating stock-based compensation for certain operational personnel directly to operating costs, in alignment with revised internal cost attribution practices. This change reflects a more accurate representation of total operating expenses. Prior to 2025, these costs were reported under general and administrative expenses. |
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SOURCE Sigma Lithium Corporation