Brazilian environmental authorities have suspended operations at Sigma Lithium's mine in Minas Gerais, citing serious regulatory breaches.
The state's Secretariat for Environment and Sustainable Development (Semad) acted after an inspection revealed that the company had been extracting lithium without the required prior authorization.
The move marks a significant escalation in regulatory scrutiny for the miner, which operates in the Jequitinhonha Valley, a region central to Brazil's lithium output.
The suspension targets specific activities at the site, effectively halting production until compliance is restored.
Semad's decision follows findings of environmental irregularities that regulators deemed severe enough to warrant immediate intervention.
The company has denied the allegations, stating that it operates in full accordance with local laws and regulations.