Can you give us a brief introduction to Sigma Lithium and its history?

Sigma Lithium operates the world's fourth-largest hard-rock industrial lithium mining complex in the Vale do Jequitinhonha, Minas Gerais, specializing in industrializing lithium concentrate. Currently, we are the sixth largest lithium producer globally. We established a state-of-the-art lithium industrial plant in one of Brazil's poorest regions, transforming the area's economic landscape, which now grows at a rate of 20% per year. Our production is unique; thanks to our Quintuple Zero Green Lithium, we have achieved zero emissions in five critical environmental sustainability categories—zero net-carbon, zero tailings dams, zero dirty energy, zero consumption of drinking potable water, and zero toxic chemicals. Our lithium products are technically superior and unique, high in purity, low in contaminants, and provide 20-30% cost savings for customers compared to similar products. Can you elaborate on Sigma Lithium's Grota de Cirilo production complex?

We operate the fourth-largest lithium mineral industrial project in the world. As we double our scale we will be positioned among the top four lithium producers globally. Since 2018, despite billions of dollars having been invested in lithium globally, Sigma Lithium is the only company that has achieved commercial production at this scale and low cost, ensuring our adaptation and competitiveness amidst volatile market fluctuations. We surpass every company in the industry in every key metric for lithium production in terms of environmental and social traceability, making us a permanent member of the global lithium production landscape.

Based on our published costs last quarter, we deliver high-purity, low-contaminant, and large-particle lithium materials at a cost of US$389/t. This positions us as the second lowest-cost producer globally among lithium industrial producers sourcing lithium from rock. Our ability to achieve zero emissions and deliver on sustainability metrics allows us to effectively withstand market fluctuations. What challenges has Sigma Lithium faced ramping up operations?

When we decided to build our state-of-the-art lithium plant at the mine site, we encountered skepticism due to the Vale do Jequitinhonha's economic conditions. Our journey has been long, but we executed our plan with discipline and conservatism. We allocated two-thirds of the proceeds from our IPO in 2018 to construct an on-site demonstration industrial plant, allowing us to send bulk samples to major global clients and establish Brazil and Sigma Lithium's credibility in the market. We showcased our capabilities, utilizing gravity-based dense media separation and dry stacking without tailings and water reuse. Since 2018, Sigma Lithium is the only company that has successfully industrialized lithium, entering the lithium market with scale, low cost and traceability, which is crucial from an ESG point of view. In the context of the global energy transition, you would need 54 times our production capacity to meet projected global demand by 2030.

Despite the relative underdevelopment of the Vale do Jequitinhonha, Minas Gerais is an industrialized state, so we have significant infrastructural advantages, including hydroelectric power, good roads and proximity to ports. From an operational point of view, human capital emerged as the most significant challenge, and we initiated a 'homecoming program' to recruit talent from the region, including people who have emigrated, successfully employing 85% of our 1,200 employees from the local area. How is Sigma Lithium engaging with local communities through its programs?

We established two significant social programs. First, we initiated small-scale irrigation basins to convert subsistence farmers into year-round farmers, impacting around 10,000 people. Second, our microcredit program currently assists 2,000 women, which we aim to expand to include 10,000 families. These programs do not require reskilling; they utilize existing skills in culinary arts and crafts, allowing these women to monetize their expertise. The direct impact of our initiatives can be quantified, with the local economy growing by 20%, making it the fastest-growing region in the country. What objectives do you have for Sigma Lithium in the next 12 to 18 months?

We are doubling our capacity by building a second green industrial plant. The infrastructure required for this expansion, including a power substation and water treatment facility, is already in place, making expansion more straightforward. We aim to achieve our target of becoming the world's fourth-largest lithium producer, growing by an additional industrial line at a time.