Brazilian carbon-neutral lithium project at nameplate capacity

Quantum Commodity Intelligence – The first large-scale producer in the lithium market to achieve carbon neutrality has been running its Brazilian production unit at nameplate capacity in December, 12 months after the commissioning of the crushing unit.

Sigma Lithium said its Grota do Cirilo project in Minas Gerais has sustained nameplate production levels at its lithium concentrate plant this month, adding that "operating rates at these levels would support a monthly shipment cadence of roughly 22,000 tonnes (t) through the course of 2024."

The project produces so-called "Quintuple Zero Green Lithium" concentrate – zero net carbon, zero coal power (100% renewable power), zero tailings dams (100% reusable dry stacked tailings), zero use of potable water and zero use of hazardous chemicals.

A fifth shipment of 22,000 t of concentrate from the plant is expected to leave the port of Vitoria by year-end, destined for Switzerland-based commodities group Glencore, which will pre-pay 50% of the fifth shipment's value upon completion of loading, Sigma said.

Phase 1 of the Grota do Cirilo project is expected to produce 270,000 t/year of Quintuple Zero Green Lithium; if a decision is made to proceed after completion of the detailed engineering study, Phases 2 and 3 of the project are expected to increase production to 766,000 t/year, the company said.