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SIGMA LITHIUM SIGNS INAUGURAL DEFERRED US$ 22.4 MILLION LETTER OF CREDIT EXPORT FINANCING WITH BANCO DO BRASIL

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Sigma Lithium signed on July 24, 2024 a deferred US$ 22.4 million letter of credit (the “Transaction”) with Banco do Brasil. This Transaction strengthens Sigma’s commercial power, enabling it to offer 90-day “export vendor financing” to its clients at very low interest rates.The Transaction amount was calculated based on the 22,000t July 5th production and shipment at the price of 8.75% of Lithium Hydroxide quoted at LME.The Transaction represents the inaugural solution for the Company developed in tandem with Banco do Brasil to deepen Sigma Lithium’s commercial partnerships during the seasonal lithium purchase cycles.As a result of the Transaction, Sigma Lithium will gradually phase out existing trade finance lines (drawn but mostly unused in the Company’s treasury) and move from a position of receiving advance payments (at a higher cost) to providing vendor financing and widening its client base.The Transaction allows Sigma Lithium to further improve its competitive position by strengthening commercial flexibility with the goal of institutionalizing a premium for its lithium concentrate.The Company’s ability to access this category of export financing demonstrates it has achieved maturity as producer within its first year of operations.

SÃO PAULO, Brazil, July 29, 2024 /CNW/ — Sigma Lithium Corporation (“Sigma Lithium” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34, TSXV: SGML), a leading global lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicles with carbon neutral, socially and environmentally sustainable lithium concentrate, is pleased to announce it signed an inaugural deferred US$ 22.4 million letter of credit for export financing with Banco do Brasil at very low interest rates.

As Sigma matures as an industrial producer and demonstrates its ability to consistently deliver its Quintuple Zero Green Lithium, it gained access to access low-cost trade finance mechanisms through Banco do Brasil, available to the country’s largest industrial exporters. These agreements enhance Sigma Lithium’s commercial flexibility and market access.

As a result of the lower interest export credit lines, the Company will phase out the existing trade lines in its treasury, thus decreasing the Company’s recurring interest expenses and further improving its competitiveness.  

Ana Cabral, Co-Chair and CEO of Sigma Lithium notes, “We have reached a significant milestone in our journey as a producer, achieving the maturity to access trade financing instruments available to Brazil’s largest exporters. We are honored to be working with Banco do Brasil, the country’s largest bank, which has extended through its balance sheet in Asia highly competitive interest rates to Sigma Lithium. Banco do Brasil has a history of more than a century in fostering the development of industrial exporters in the country. With this inaugural Transaction with Sigma Lithium, one of the world’s largest producers of industrial lithium materials, Banco do Brasil strengthens its leading position in developing the Brazilian green industrialization of future facing battery materials.”

“Maintaining a consistent shipping schedule, demonstrating our product quality and low costs, as well as our ability to market to downstream battery and auto makers, has opened these additional credit opportunities for Sigma. The Transaction enhances the Company’s flexibility in how it markets its Quintuple Zero Green Lithium, ultimately helping to institutionalize a price premium that reflects its superior chemical qualities.”

ABOUT SIGMA LITHIUM

Sigma Lithium (NASDAQ: SGML, TSXV: SGML, BVMF: S2GM34) is a leading global lithium producer dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicle batteries with carbon neutral, socially and environmentally sustainable chemical-grade lithium concentrate.

Sigma Lithium is one of the world’s largest lithium producers with an annual production capacity of 270,000 tonnes of chemical grade lithium concentrate (36,700 LCE annually). The Company operates at the forefront of environmental and social sustainability in the EV battery materials supply chain at its Grota do Cirilo Operation in Brazil. The Company produces Quintuple Zero Green Lithium at its state-of-the-art Greentech lithium plant that delivers zero carbon lithium, produced with zero dirty power, zero potable water, zero toxic chemicals and zero tailings’ dams.

Phase 1 of the project entered commercial production in 2Q23 and has an annual capacity of 270,000 tonnes of concentrate (36,700 LCE annually).The Company has issued a Final Investment Decision formally approving construction to nearly double capacity to 520,000 tonnes of concentrate through the addition of a Phase 2 expansion of its Greentech Plant.

Please refer to the Company’s National Instrument 43-101 technical report titled “Grota do Cirilo Lithium Project Araçuaí and Itinga Regions, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Amended and Restated Technical Report” issued March 19, 2024, which was prepared for Sigma Lithium by Homero Delboni Jr., MAusIMM, Promon Engenharia; Marc-Antoine Laporte, P.Geo, SGS Canada Inc; Jarrett Quinn, P.Eng., Primero Group Americas; Porfirio Cabaleiro Rodriguez, (MEng), FAIG, GE21 Consultoria Mineral; and William van Breugel, P.Eng (the “Updated Technical Report”). The Updated Technical Report is filed on SEDAR and is also available on the Company’s website.

For more information about Sigma Lithium, visit https://www.sigmalithiumresources.com/

Sigma Lithium

LinkedIn: Sigma Lithium
Instagram: @sigmalithium
Twitter: @SigmaLithium

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain “forward-looking information” under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including but not limited to statements relating to timing and costs related to the general business and operational outlook of the Company, the environmental footprint of tailings and positive ecosystem impact relating thereto, donation and upcycling of tailings, timing and quantities relating to tailings and Green Lithium, achievements and projections relating to the Zero Tailings strategy, achievement of ramp-up volumes, production estimates and the operational status of the Groto do Cirilo Project, and other forward-looking information. All statements that address future plans, activities, events, estimates, expectations or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur is forward-looking information, including statements regarding the potential development of mineral resources and mineral reserves which may or may not occur. Forward-looking information contained herein is based on certain assumptions regarding, among other things: general economic and political conditions; the stable and supportive legislative, regulatory and community environment in Brazil; demand for lithium, including that such demand is supported by growth in the electric vehicle market; the Company’s market position and future financial and operating performance; the Company’s estimates of mineral resources and mineral reserves, including whether mineral resources will ever be developed into mineral reserves; and the Company’s ability to operate its mineral projects including that the Company will not experience any materials or equipment shortages, any labour or service provider outages or delays or any technical issues. Although management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information inherently involves and is subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to that the market prices for lithium may not remain at current levels; and the market for electric vehicles and other large format batteries currently has limited market share and no assurances can be given for the rate at which this market will develop, if at all, which could affect the success of the Company and its ability to develop lithium operations. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to the current annual information form of the Company and other public filings available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

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SOURCE Sigma Lithium Corporation

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USI Releases its Climate and Nature Risk Management Report

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SHANGHAI, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a decisive move to combat climate change and uphold the principles of the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, USI (SSE: 601231) released its 2023 Climate and Nature Risk Management Report. This follows the company’s inaugural TCFD Report in 2021. The latest report, structured around the TCFD and TNFD frameworks, provides a comprehensive overview of USI’s governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets related to climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation.

The conclusion of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in December 2023 marked a significant agreement to drastically reduce emissions. USI reaffirms its commitment to the Paris Agreement’s goals, embedding environmental sustainability into its core operations through its Environment, Health, Safety & Energy Policy. The company actively participates in the CDP and SBT initiatives, setting and promoting ambitious carbon reduction targets. Notably, USI’s facilities in Mainland China, Mexico, and Vietnam are now powered entirely by renewable energy, and all major facilities worldwide have achieved third-party ISO 14064-1 verification for their greenhouse gas emissions. USI is also accelerating its R&D efforts to develop low-carbon products, increasing the share of clean tech and eco-design products, with long-term goals of using 100% renewable energy in all manufacturing facilities by 2035 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

In 2023, USI demonstrated its commitment to biodiversity conservation by announcing its Biodiversity and No Deforestation Commitment and implementing a biodiversity risk assessment system, aiming for a Net Positive Impact by 2050. Since 2013, USI has invested in afforestation projects to combat desertification in Inner Mongolia and Ningxia, gradually restoring local biodiversity. The latest ecological surveys report 47 species in Inner Mongolia and 14 species in Ningxia, indicating stabilizing sand, a balancing ecosystem, and early signs of recovery. By the end of 2023, USI had planted 151,482 trees covering 97.91 hectares, capturing 729.44 metric tonnes of CO2e and conserving approximately 134,332.52 metric tonnes of water annually.

USI remains steadfast in its mission to build a sustainable environment, uphold social responsibility, and pursue sustainable governance, contributing to the planet’s sustainable development.

About USI (SSE: 601231)

USI, Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., is a global leader in electronic design and manufacturing as well as a leader in the field of SiP (System-in-Package) technology. With Asteelflash and Hirschmann Car Communication, USI has 30 production and service locations across four continents of Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa, and offers customer diversified electronic products with D(MS)2 services: Design, Manufacturing, Miniaturization, Industrial software, and hardware Solutions, and material procurement, logistics and maintenance Services. USI is a subsidiary of ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 3711, NYSE: ASX). To learn more, please visit www.usiglobal.com and engage with us on LinkedIn and YouTube.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/usi-releases-its-climate-and-nature-risk-management-report-302257855.html

SOURCE UNIVERSAL SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD

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STEM Exploration Day Ignite Girls Passion for Careers in STEM

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Professional women with careers in science, technology, engineering and math make a world of difference in inspiring young girls to show them they can achieve anyything they want to with hard work and believing n themselves.

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to help ignite a passion in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for girls of all ages. The STEM Exploration Day took place on Saturday, September 28, 2024 with professional women sharing their experience and advice.

There’s something about a robot that can feed into that interest in science, technology, engineering and math. Touch sensors, buttons and sonar show them how to control different actions and that’s fascinating.

Young girls met with women in various STEM professions including coding, physics, astronomy, robotics and engineering just to name a few. Hands-on activities and demonstrations served as great learning opportunities as visitors received special giveaways.

Programs & Activities – Thank you to all participating groups that provided hands-on activities and helped guide STEM career explorations. They included:

Eli Lilly and Company Visiting Scientist Dr. Carlotta Berry
Dr. Berry is an accomplished electrical engineer specializing in controls and robotics. She advocates for the demystification of STEM through innovative strategies, including robot hip-hop slam poetry. She is a professor and endowed department chair at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. She’s also an author, researcher, mentor, role model, prolific speaker, and a STEM trailblazer. Dr. Berry engaged visitors in hands-on exploration with robots. You can hear more from her here: https://youtu.be/16smIuetR_w

Indiana Visiting Artist Emily Bennett
If your first thought of “sculpture” is a gleaming marble bust from ancient Greece, just wait until you see the work of Terre Haute artist Emily Bennett! She redefines what sculpture can be, weaving colorful fibers onto metal structures to create bold, vibrant pieces. The results are what she calls “imaginary dreamscapes” that you can hang on the wall or set on a shelf. As programming coordinator for the Community School of the Arts at Indiana State University, Bennett relishes helping people uncover their artistic abilities.

Women in Lilly Discovery and Development (WiLDD) with Eli Lilly and Company (families created their own binary bracelets and lava lamps).

80 Acres Farms

Franklin Pest Solutions

Indiana State Police Crime Laboratory (visitors examined various pieces of evidence with forensic experts to learn how they solve crimes).

Society of Women Engineers (girls explored mechanical engineering and learned how to make their own catapults). UIndy Human Identification Center (families received an interesting introduction to forensic anthropology, learned about radiographs and studied casts of bones from various animals to learn about the different ages and stages of life).

City of Indianapolis—Department of Public Works, Engineering (shared a storm drain model to demonstrate how families can protect stormwater).

IU Astronomy Department (families learned how the same elements that make up our bodies are also present in galaxies billions of light years away and examined the patterns of Hydrogen, Helium, Oxygen and Neon and made bracelets with the same patterns as these elements).

IU Intelligent Systems Engineering (featured robotics and electronics).

IEEE Women in Engineering (helped visitors explore various sensors).

Sycamore School (more than two dozen activities revolving around mechanics, electricity, sound, optics and air pressure made up the activities).

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) (provided a bridge building simulation).

The Gurl Code (provided binary bracelets, 3D Pens, Ozobots and MakeyMakey).

DNA Discovery in Corteva Agriscience STEMLab (families were able to extract real DNA from plant cells, discovered where DNA can be found in nature and learned about how scientists discovered the structure of DNA).

STEM Exploration Day is presented Lilly Girls & Young Women In STEM and supported by Indiana Soybean Alliance.

About The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
We ignite joy, wonder and curiosity by creating powerful learning experiences for children and adults. For more information about The Children’s Museum, visit http://www.childrensmuseum.org and follow us on social media @childrensmuseum.

Media Contact

Kimberly Harms, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 317-334-4003, kimh@childrensmuseum.org, www.childrensmuseum.org

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SOURCE The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

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NECA to Unveil EV Charging Resource Network at NECA 2024 San Diego

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SAN DIEGO, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) today announced the unveiling of its EV Charging Resource Network at NECA 2024 San Diego. Developed in collaboration with Fuser LLC, this platform aims to empower NECA members to capitalize on the rapidly growing EV charging market.

NECA’s new online hub will provide charging news, information and industry networking opportunities.

“We see a critical need to unify the professional community around Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE),” said Marco Giamberardino, NECA’s Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs. “As EV adoption accelerates, we have to ensure our infrastructure keeps pace. This Resource Network will play a crucial role in connecting skilled electrical professionals with the growing demands of the industry.”

Pete Mastrorocco, NECA’s Senior Vice President of Education, Events and Partnerships, expects the Resource Network to represent NECA’s ongoing commitment to boosting member engagement in lucrative new markets. “EVSE represents a significant opportunity for our members,” said Mastrorocco. “NECA’s Resource Network will be an invaluable tool, helping contractors connect with experienced peers, share knowledge and capitalize on the industry’s rapid growth.”

Key features of NECA’s EV Charging Resource Network will include:

Training resourcesComprehensive EVSE news and informationRegular updates on National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) and Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) funding opportunitiesCurated links to state and utility grants and rebatesSpecial opportunities for NECA members

The Resource Network also provides access to Fuser, the open marketplace and networking platform devoted to EVSE.

Fuser LLC executive Pat McGinnis has expressed hope to build a stronger, more responsive industry by working with NECA to bring together all EVSE stakeholders. “These initiatives will streamline the service and installation process, create new business opportunities, and support widespread adoption of electric vehicles,” commented McGinnis. “Fuser is working with NECA to integrate their platform and is currently offering an exclusive 4-month free trial of their open marketplace to all NECA members.”

For convention details, visit necaconvention.org.

To explore NECA’s EV Charging Resource Network, visit www.necaev.org.

About NECA

NECA is the voice of the $240 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across North America. NECA’s national office and 118 local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development. Go to www.necanet.org for more information. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neca-to-unveil-ev-charging-resource-network-at-neca-2024-san-diego-302261872.html

SOURCE National Electrical Contractors Assoc Inc.

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