SIGMA LITHIUM REPORTS 1Q25 RESULTS: STRONG MARGINS, COST OUTPERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTION ABOVE TARGET
HIGH LIG HTS
-
Reported net income of
$4.7 million or$0.04 per share. -
Strong margins in 1Q25:
reflecting profitability and operational efficiency.
- Cash gross margin of 35%.
- EBITDA Margin of 21%.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin of 24%.
-
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.
-
Achieved better than target quarterly costs:
-
CIF China cash operating costs of
$458 /t in 1Q25, 8% below target of$500 /t. -
All-in sustaining cash costs (AISC) totaled
$622 /t in 1Q25, 6% below target of$660 /t.
-
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
SÃO PAULO,
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, 100% of our current and future production remains uncommitted. Any capital secured through such agreements would complement the BNDES reimbursement schedule, helping fund the construction of Plant 2 while also extending our debt maturities and reducing our cost of capital".
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) |
$ 000s |
47,673 |
37,202 |
28 % |
47,336 |
1 % |
COGS |
$ 000s |
(34,218) |
(28,642) |
19 % |
(32,079) |
7 % |
Cash Gross Profit |
$ 000s |
16,675 |
4,855 |
243 % |
19,693 |
-15 % |
Average Revenue per Tonne (3) |
$/t |
774 |
704 |
10 % |
641 |
21 % |
EBITDA(4) |
$ 000s |
10,010 |
3,089 |
224 % |
9,734 |
3 % |
Stock-based compensation |
$ 000s |
1,416 |
2,266 |
-37 % |
2,525 |
-44 % |
Adjusted EBITDA(4) |
$ 000s |
11,426 |
5,356 |
113 % |
12,259 |
-7 % |
Net Income |
$ 000s |
4,728 |
(6,909) |
168 % |
(8,541) |
155 % |
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at the end |
$ 000s |
31,111 |
108,191 |
-71 % |
45,918 |
-32 % |
Revenues and Production
The Company reported production volumes of 68,308 tonnes in 1Q25, slightly higher than quarter production target of 67,500 tonnes, and 26% higher compared to 1Q24. The Company expects its FY25 production to reach 270,000 tonnes.
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 11% decrease in production volume in 1Q25 compared to 4Q24, all-in sustaining cost (AISC) increased by only approximately 5% to an average of
_________________________________ |
1 Starting |
Cash Operating Margin(2), Adjusted EBITDA(4) and Adjusted EBITDA Margin(4)
For the first quarter of 2025, EBITDA totaled
Net Income
Balance Sheet & Liquidity
As of
- Capital expenditures of
$4.8 million ; - Increase in working capital of
$9.0 million , mainly due to higher accounts receivable ($14.7 million ) and inventories ($3.4 million ) at period-end, as payment for a quarter-end deal was settled in early 2Q25; and - 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 100% of its production uncommitted. Any agreements executed would form part of the Company's strategy to optimize its capital structure and support Phase 2 funding alongside BNDES reimbursements.
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
Other disclosures in this news release of a scientific or technical nature at the Grota do
ABOUT
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
For more information about
LinkedIn:
Instagram: @sigmalithium
Twitter: @SigmaLithium
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and
Neither the
Financial Tables
The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the periods ended
Figure 1: Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) Summary
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) |
Three Months Ended |
|
Three Months Ended |
($ 000s) |
|
|
|
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 |
Figure 2: Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Summary
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position |
As of |
|
As of |
($ 000s) |
|
|
|
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 |
($ 000s) |
|
|
|
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) |
|
(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) |
|
(4,793) |
|
(5,764) |
Financing Activities |
|
|
|
Proceeds of loans, net |
(10,193) |
|
79,273 |
Other |
(579) |
|
(663) |
|
(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
1. Cash u nit 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 2% government royalty and a 1% private royalty.
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 |
($ 000s) |
|
|
|
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 |
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sigma-lithium-reports-1q25-results-strong-margins-cost-outperformance-and-production-above-target-302455973.html
SOURCE