The company began environmental studies in January 2021 and applied for its license in July 2022. Credit: T. Schneider/Shutterstock.

Sigma Lithium has secured a Triple Environmental License for its Barreiro mine, part of the Grota do Cirilo property in Brazil.

This achievement underpins the long-term operations and spodumene supply for the company’s Greentech Industrial Complex, aligned with a 16-year Development Bank of Brazil (BNDES) financing term.

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The unanimous approval of the Triple Environmental License, including votes from all NGO members, was granted by the Chamber of Mining Activities of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Despite not requiring immediate mining at the Barreiro Mine, Sigma Lithium has taken a proactive stance on environmental permitting.

The company commenced environmental assessment studies in January 2021 and applied for its environmental licence in July 2022.

Sigma Lithium CEO Ana Cabral said: “We are very pleased to have received the construction, installation and operation Triple Environmental License required for our Barreiro mine from the Mining Chamber of the State of Minas Gerais. This licence provides us with the regulatory framework necessary for our future operations at Barreiro, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of lithium feedstock for years to come.

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“We deeply appreciate the trust and confidence placed in us by the state of Minas Gerais to continue developing one of the world’s most sustainable lithium operations. The unanimous approval of the Triple Environmental License is a testament to our years-long proactive community engagement activities with our future neighbours, investing social capex well in advance of mining activities, underscoring our unwavering commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices.”

Additionally, Sigma Lithium has initiated social capex deployment, collaborating with the Municipalities of Aracuai and Itinga to construct educational facilities and fund after-school programmes for local children through two NGOs.

The strategic acquisition of the Triple Environmental License positions Sigma Lithium for future growth and operational expansion at Barreiro.

At its Grota do Cirilo Operation, Sigma Lithium produces Quintuple Zero Green Lithium, having net-zero carbon emissions, no use of carbon-intensive energy, potable water, toxic chemicals, or tailings dams. The Greentech lithium beneficiation plant exemplifies state-of-the-art, sustainable lithium production.

Earlier this month, Sigma Lithium reached its full production capacity with a record shipment of 27,500t of its Quintuple Zero Green lithium to IRH Global Trading in Abu Dhabi.