Social Programs Updates
Sigma’s activities during 2022 and 2023 related to its social programs are summarized below:
| ● | Microcredit For Female Entrepreneurs Program: In 2022, Sigma established the largest microcredit program in Brazil, which has been targeted for female entrepreneurs in the Jequitinhonha Valley region. Through this program, the Company encourages sustainable development by providing microcredit loans of $548 per person and providing mentorship programs. The Company is proud to report that as of the date of this MD&A, 2,258 female entrepreneurs have enrolled in the program, 1,892 videoconferences have been held, 4,388 interactions via mobile messaging or video conferences with their business advisors and 1,394 participants have already received the program`s incentive. This program is developed as donations to qualified recipients. This program advances the goals of UN SDGs #5 (Gender Equality), #8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and #10 (Reduced Inequalities). |
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| ● | Zero Drought for Small Holder Farmers Program: In 2023, the Company announced the “Zero Drought for Small Holder Farmers” program consisting of the construction of 1,000 small rainwater capture structures in the municipality of Itinga and another 1,000 in the municipality of Araçuaí, totalizing 2,000 structures in the mid Jequitinhonha Valley region. For the year ended December 31, 2023, 700 rainwater capture basins have been built in the municipality of Itinga and 700 in the municipality of Araçuaí for a total of $767,200. These water capture basins are dug into the ground and located at strategic points to prevent soil erosion during the heavy rainfall season, store water for irrigation of small crops during the dry periods and contribute to increasing the volume of water that will feed the region’s aquifers. Total investment by the Company is expected to be up to $1,095 ($548 per structure) to be spent throughout 2024. |
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| ● | Water For All Program: To further combat the impacts of water scarcity in the Jequitinhonha Valley region, the Company built 147 water tanks (at a cost of $255 per unit) for residents located in the surrounding areas of the Greentech Plant. The drinking water tanks are refilled monthly with the support of tanker trucks and staff provided by Sigma. In March, we completed 7 months of water supply in the neighboring communities. This program advances the goals of UN SDG #6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). |
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| ● | Combating Violence Against Women Program: The Company introduced a program, in partnership with the Justice Court of the state of Minas Gerais, targeting domestic abuse against women in the Jequitinhonha Valley region. In March 2024, Sigma participated alongside members of the Microcredit Program, in an event promoted by the Justice Court in Belo Horizonte to increase awareness of violence against women. This program advances the goals of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (“UN SDGs”) #5 (Gender Equality) and #11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). |
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| ● | Homecoming Employment Program: Sigma remains committed to prioritizing employing persons local to the Jequitinhonha Valley region. The Company is proud to report that it continued to make progress on this initiative, having 98% of the employees living in the region and 71% natives of the region as of March 2024. This program advances the goals of UN SDGs #8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and #10 (Reduced Inequalities). |
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| ● | Education Program for Mining Technicians Program: In order to support the Homecoming Employment Program, Sigma established a partnership between the Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (Campus Janaúba) and the Federal Institute of Education of Araçuaí in January 2022, establishing the first program to train mining technicians in the region. The educational program will be taught by ten teachers over a three-year period with a workload of approximately 1,200 hours. Sigma is proud to announce that as of the date of this MD&A, 40 persons local to the Jequitinhonha Valley region have enrolled in the program and are expected to graduate in 2024, after which the Company hopes they will join our operational team. Select courses covered in the program include: loader operation (theory and practice); operation of tractors (theory and practice); basic instrumentation and programmable logic controller operation; processing plant operation; industrial mechanical maintenance; industrial electrician; qualification in welding process; safety, health and environment; personal protection equipment; occupational risk management; safety at work (machines and equipment); control measures and preventative safety systems; silviculture (native seedling nursery); railings (barbed and smooth wire); operations and maintenance of chainsaws and log splitting; operations and maintenance of brush cutters; forestry (recovery of degraded and altered areas). This program advances the goals of UN SDGs #4 (Quality Education) and # 17 (Partnership for the Goals). |
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| SIGMA LITHIUM CORPORATIONMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISFOR THE THREE & TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts or unless stated otherwise) |
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| ● | Zero Hunger Action Program: The Company remained dedicated to humanitarian relief action, continuing to deliver the previously pledged 7,200 food baskets per year, being 600 per month, commitment done during 2021 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic for the vulnerable families in the Vale do Jequitinhonha region. For 2023 and 2024, the Company continues delivering 600 food baskets per month. During 2022, the Company delivered such 7,200 food baskets. This program advances the goals of UN SDGs #1 (No Poverty), #2 (Zero Hunger) and # 17 (Partnership for the Goals). |
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| ● | Being a Child Program: During the second quarter of 2023, the Company committed to a series of initiatives to help promote sustainable development in the communities of Poço Dantas, Ponte do Piauí and Taquaral Seco, located relatively close to the Company. In March 2024, Sigma financed the renovation and expansion of a school in the community, which benefits approximately 30 local children. In December 2023, - Sigma refurbished an outdoor sports court, which will help promote sports and community building in the area. Sigma will help finance the construction of a bridge, linking the community of Poço Dantas to Araçuaí and Itinga, which will provide better access to education and health facilities. Finally, Sigma is also implementing after-school programs in these facilities. |
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| ● | Sigma Visit Program "Open Doors": With the aim of strengthening relationships with its stakeholders and sharing the good practices it has developed, in November 2023 Sigma began its visit program by welcoming the technical courses of the Taquaral School, in the Taquaral de Minas district of Itinga. In partnership with operations, geology and the environment, the social area conducts a structured program of visits to the company's operations. The program prioritizes neighboring communities and schools with technical training. There are two visits a month with groups of up to 30 people. This program advances the goals of UN SDGs #4 (Quality Education), #12 (Responsible Production and Consumption) and #13 (Climate Change). |
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