Sigma to deposit some $10M in Brazilian lithium mine case

A Brazilian judge ordered Sigma Mineração SA, an operating subsidiary of Sigma Lithium Corp., to deposit 50 million reais ($9.9 million) with a court in the next 10 days to ensure it covers alleged damages linked to the company’s Grota do Cirilo lithium operation.

The emergency injunction on Sunday, part of a collective lawsuit brought by state prosecutors, requires Sigma to pay for independent technical advisers chosen by affected communities, create an optional emergency resettlement program, finance public health measures and suspend noisy nighttime operations from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Judge Patrícia Bergamaschi de Araújo ruled that residents’ accounts of dust, tremors, cracks in homes and constant noise showed “a situation of massive violation of human dignity” in the communities of Piauí Poço Dantas, Ponte do Piauí and Santa Luzia in Minas Gerais state.

Sigma Mineração didn’t respond to a request for comment outside business hours on Sunday.

(By Fabiano Maisonnave)