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Tesla has been speaking with potential advisers about a bid, the
report said, citing people with knowledge of the matter, and
added that Sigma Lithium is one of the many mining options the
electric-vehicle maker is exploring as it mulls its own
refining.
Tesla and Sigma Lithium did not immediately respond to Reuters
requests for comment.
Sigma is finishing construction of a hard rock lithium mine in
Brazil that it expects to open by April. The mine will produce
spodumene concentrate, which can be used to make lithium
hydroxide, a type of the metal preferred by some automakers
including Tesla and BMW.
The project would use hydroelectric power, thus helping to
greatly reduce its carbon footprint.
U.S. stock of Sigma Lithium, which has a market capitalization
of $3.21 billion, nearly trebled in value last year.
Chief executive Elon Musk said last year Tesla was open to
buying a mining company if producing its own supply of electric
vehicle metals would speed up worldwide adoption of clean energy
technologies.
Tesla and other automakers routinely talk to mining companies of
all sizes about potential supplies of lithium and other EV
metals without necessarily signing contracts.
Last month, Tesla signed an agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc
for supply of spodumene concentrate from Quebec, starting later
this year.
Tesla also has supply contracts for nickel, lithium and a range
of other EV metals from suppliers across the globe.
(Reporting by Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru and Ernest Scheyder;
Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
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