Sigma Lithium Corp (TSX-V:SGML, NASDAQ:SGML) has announced that its Greentech Plant in Brazil has reached a record daily production of 890 tonnes, putting it on track to achieve its 2023 production guidance of 130,000 tonnes.
The company noted in a statement that the daily record reached is equivalent to annualized production of 320,000 tonnes of “Triple Zero Green Lithium” at battery grade with 5.5% lithium oxide (Li2O).
Additionally, it said it has successfully ramped up its Greentech Plant to enable it to operate at 100% of design nameplate throughput capacity of annualized production of 270,000 tonnes.
Triple Zero Green Lithium is battery-grade and carbon-neutral, with zero hazardous chemicals and zero tailings. The Greentech Plant is also the first in the world to produce chemical grade lithium concentrate without a tailings dam and with 100% reuse of the water utilized in the processing.
Sigma said achieving these operational targets demonstrates the excellent performance of the Greentech Plant and its tailings dry-stacked circuit in synchronicity with Dense Medium Separation (DMS).
Running at 88%, it said it has exceeded the plant’s design utilization rate of 85%. Throughput has also evolved, from 75% of capacity at the end of July 2023 to 100% design capacity as of September 30.
At the plant, the DMS cyclones are operating consistently at 200 tonnes per hour, with maximum capacity at 230 tonnes/hour.
Global recoveries have also been tracking in line with design, with the company calibrating the concentrate down from 5.9% Li2O concentrate.
“Achievement of these milestones is due to the dedication and commitment of the on-site Sigma Lithium team, led by Director of Mining Reinaldo Brandao and Director of Processing Keith Prentice,” the company said.
“Over the past three months of their on-site supervision, Reinaldo and Keith have led the operational ramp-up of the Greentech Plant, including the re-engineering of the tailings dry-stacking/water reusage circuit.”
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