Energy, Automobile, EV, Renewable News | Largo Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results;

Largo Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results;

March 10, 2023

Highlights Recent Strength in the Vanadium Market and Progress on its Two-Pillar Strategy as a Tier 1 Vanadium Supplier and Emerging Clean Energy Battery Producer

All dollar amounts expressed are in thousands of U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Q4 & Full Year 2022 Highlights

Revenues of $47.5 million in Q4 2022, 6% below Q4 2021; Revenues per pound sold¹ of $7.77 in Q4 2022, largely in line with $7.88 recognized in Q4 2021
Operating costs of $44.5 million in Q4 2022 vs. $37.7 million in Q4 2021, and cash operating costs excluding royalties per pound¹ of V₂O₅ equivalent sold of $5.15 in Q4 2022 vs. $3.68 in Q4 2021
Net loss of $15.6 million in Q4 2022 vs. net income of $1.0 million in Q4 2021; Basic loss per share of $0.24 in Q4 2022 vs. basic earnings per share of $0.01 in Q4 2021
In Q4 2022, the Company’s net loss included approximately $6.3 million of non-recurring expenditures
Revenues of $229.3 million in 2022, a 16% increase over 2021; Revenues per pound sold¹ of $9.38 in 2022, a 19% increase over 2021
Operating costs of $169.7 million in 2022 vs. $133.0 million in 2021, and cash operating costs excluding royalties per pound¹ of V₂O₅ equivalent sold of $4.57 in 2022 vs. $3.37 in 2021; 2% above upper range of revised 2022 guidance for cash operating costs excluding royalties per pound¹
Net loss of $2.2 million in 2022 vs. net income of $22.6 million in 2021; Basic loss per share of $0.03 in 2022 vs. basic earnings per share of $0.35 in 2021
In 2022, the Company’s net loss included approximately $15.0 million of non-recurring expenditures
V₂O₅ production of 2,004 tonnes in Q4 2022 vs. 2,003 tonnes in Q4 2021; Annual V₂O₅ production of 10,436 tonnes in 2022 vs. 10,319 tonnes in 2021 and 6% below lower range of revised production guidance
Quarterly sales of 2,772 tonnes of V₂O₅ equivalent (inclusive of 118 tonnes of purchased material) in Q4 2022 vs. 2,899 tonnes in Q4 2021; Annual V₂O₅ equivalent sales of 11,091 (inclusive of 1,057 tonnes of purchased material) tonnes in 2022 vs. 11,393 tonnes in 2021 and within revised sales guidance of 11,000 – 12,000 tonnes

Vanadium Price Update²

The average benchmark price per pound of V₂O₅ in Europe was $8.25 in Q4 2022, being largely in line with the average of $8.23 seen in Q3 2022 and $8.30 in Q4 2021; The average benchmark price as of March 3, 2023 was $10.78, a 44% increase from the lows of 2022
The average benchmark price per kg of ferrovanadium (“FeV”) in Europe was $33.35 in Q4 2022, a 3% decrease from the average of $32.29 seen in Q4 2021; The average FeV benchmark price as of March 3, 2023 was $40.88, a 30% increase from the lows of 2022

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–$LGO #cleanenergy–Largo Inc. (“Largo” or the “Company“) (TSX: LGO) (NASDAQ: LGO) today released financial and operating results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The Company reported annual vanadium pentoxide (“V₂O₅”) equivalent sales of 11,091 tonnes at a cash operating cost excluding royalties per pound¹ sold of $4.58. Revenues in 2022 increased 16% over 2021 to $229.3 million mainly due to a strengthening of vanadium prices in the year.

Daniel Tellechea, Interim CEO and Director of Largo, stated: “For Largo, 2022 was a challenging year, which led to an underperformance on both production and cost metrics, particularly in Q4 2023 with the mining disruption caused by record rainfall at our mine, cost inflation of key raw materials and sizeable non-recurring expenditures. Although we continue to navigate an inflationary environment, we anticipate delivering and capitalizing on a 10% increase in production for 2023 over 2022, particularly with the recent strengthening of vanadium prices.” He continued: “This recent increase is due in part to increased demand from the energy storage sector, especially in China, where new vanadium redox flow battery (“VRFB”) deployments totaling around 2 GWh or approximately 10% of global vanadium output are planned for the next 12-24 months. Importantly, the VRFB sector accounted for the second largest source of vanadium demand outside of the steel sector in Q3 2022, according to Vanitec, a global vanadium organization. Other key markets including steel, aerospace, and chemical have also shown considerable demand growth in recent months.”

He continued: “As for growth plans this year, Largo’s ilmenite project remains on track and is expected to generate a new source of revenue for the Company. We anticipate providing guidance on ilmenite production for 2023 once commissioning of the plant has been completed. We continue to make progress on the installation of our first VRFB in Spain and our negotiations toward the formation of a joint venture with Ansaldo Green Tech (“Ansaldo”) for the deployment of VRFBs in the Europe, Middle East and Africa power generation markets. Lastly, safety and sustainability remain key priorities for Largo and we are pleased to be recently ranked in the top quartile of our peer group as measured by certain ESG rating agencies for 2022.”

Financial Results

(thousands of U.S. dollars, except for basic earnings (loss) per share and diluted earnings (loss) per share)	Three months ended	Year ended
December 31, 2022	December 31, 2021	December 31, 2022	December 31, 2021
Revenues	47,501	$50,326	229,251	198,280
Operating costs	(44,455)	(37,746)	(169,719)	(133,010)
Direct mine and production costs	*(28,401)*	(21,370)	*(94,521)*	(75,126)
Net income (loss) before tax	(17,224)	(337)	4,039	31,759
Income tax (expense) recovery	1,336	(402)	(7,688)	(5,430)
Deferred income tax recovery (expense)	252	1,528	1,423	(3,758)
Net income (loss)	(15,636)	789	(2,226)	22,571
Basic earnings (loss) per share	(0.24)	0.01	(0.03)	0.35
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	(0.24)	0.01	(0.03)	0.35

Cash (used)provided before non-cash working capital items	(14,055)	6,102	21,424	55,362
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(5,429)	3,427	3,460	39,777
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	24,078	(2)	26,435	(6,902)
Net cash used in investing activities	(26,819)	(6,985)	(60,147)	(27,399)
Net change in cash	(8,242)	(3,777)	(29,319)	4,645
			As at
			December 31, 2022	December 31, 2021
Cash			54,471	83,790
Debt			40,000	15,000
Working capital³			116,493	118,310

Maracás Menchen Mine Operational and Sales Results

2022

2021

Full Year

Total Ore Mined (tonnes)

303,652

378,273

351,450

326,552

1,359,927

277,783

1,248,967

Ore Grade Mined – Effective Grade⁴ (%)

1.27

1.18

1.02

0.96

1.11

1.00

1.12

Concentrate Produced (tonnes)

92,324

124,317

99,513

90,797

406,951

86,129

398,847

Grade of Concentrate (%)

3.21

3.28

3.26

2.94

3.18

3.13

3.23

Global Recovery⁵ (%)

77.5

81.8

80.7

74.7

79.1

76.0

79.7

V₂O₅ Produced (Flake + Powder) (tonnes)

2,442

3,084

2,906

2,004

10,436

2,003

10,319

V2O5 produced (equivalent lbs⁶)

5,383,682

6,799,048

6,406,626

4,418,058

23,007,414

4,415,854

22,749,474

V₂O₅ Equivalent Sold (tonnes)

2,232

3,289

2,796

2,774

11,091

2,899

11,393

Produced V₂O₅ equivalent sold (tonnes)

2,153

2,780

2,445

2,656

10,034

2,843

10,864

Purchased V₂O₅ equivalent sold (tonnes)

509

351

118

1,057

529

Cash Operating Costs Excluding Royalties per pound ($/lb)¹

3.97

4.23

4.86

5.15

4.57

3.68

3.37

Revenues per pound sold ($/lb)¹

8.67

11.69

8.80

7.77

9.38

7.88

7.89

Q4 & Full Year 2022 Financial Results Overview

During 2022, the Company recognized revenues of $229.3 million from sales of 11,091 tonnes of V₂O₅ equivalent (2021 – 11,393 tonnes). This represents a 16% increase in revenues over 2021 ($198.3 million) mainly due to higher vanadium prices in the year, particularly with revenues recognized in Q2 2022. During Q4 2022, the Company recognized revenues of $47.5 million (Q4 2021 – $50.3 million) from sales of 2,772 tonnes of V₂O₅ equivalent (Q4 2021 – 2,899 tonnes).
Operating costs of $169.7 million in 2022 (2021 – $133.0 million) include direct mine and production costs of $94.5 million (2021 – $75.1 million), conversion costs of $8.1 million (2021 – $9.3 million), product acquisition costs of $24.4 million (2021 –$9.7 million), royalties of $10.4 million (2021 – $8.9 million), distribution costs of $9.2 million (2021 – $5.3 million), inventory write-down of $2.3 million (2021 – $3.2 million), depreciation and amortization of $20.9 million (2021 – $21.5 million) and iron ore costs of $1.0 million (2021 – $0.05 million), partially offset by insurance proceeds of $1.0 million (2021 – $nil).
Operating costs of $44.5 million in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021 – $37.7) include direct mine and production costs of $28.4 million (Q4 2021 – $21.4 million), conversion costs of $2.2 million (Q4 2021 – $2.6 million), product acquisition costs of $3.8 million (Q4 2021 – $1.0 million), royalties of $2.1 million (Q4 2021 – $2.3 million), distribution costs of $2.3 million (Q4 2021 – $1.5 million), inventory write-down of $0.4 million (Q4 2021 – $3.2 million), depreciation and amortization of $6.0 million (Q4 2021 – $5.8 million) and iron ore costs of $0.02 million (Q4 2021 – $nil), partially offset by insurance proceeds of $1.0 million (Q4 2021 – $nil).
- The increases in direct mine and production costs are attributable to a decrease in the global recovery⁵, cost increases in critical consumables, including heavy fuel oil (“HFO”) and ammonium sulfate, as well as increased consumption of these critical consumables and sodium carbonate. Costs were further impacted by the Company’s mining contractor transition in Q3 2022 and corrective maintenance in the plant throughout the year. Higher costs of production in the current and previous periods in the year related to shutdowns caused by abnormally high rainfall during Q4 2022, while corrective maintenance continued to impact operating costs as a result of the time between production and sales.
Cash operating costs excluding royalties per pound¹ of V₂O₅ equivalent sold were $4.57 in 2022, compared with $3.37 in 2021. Cash operating costs excluding royalties per pound¹ sold were $5.15 in Q4 2022, compared with $3.68 in Q4 2021. The increase seen in Q4 2022 and 2022 compared with Q4 2021 and 2021 is largely due to the impacts noted previously, in addition to produced V₂O₅ equivalent sold having decreased in 2022 as compared with 2021, with 10,034 tonnes sold versus 10,864 tonnes.
Professional, consulting and management fees were $25.3 million in 2022, compared with $17.9 million in 2021. Professional, consulting and management fees were $5.7 million in Q4 2022, compared with $5.6 million in Q4 2021. For 2022, the increase is primarily attributable to costs incurred earlier in the year in connection with LCE, which was not fully operational earlier in 2021 and transaction and listing related costs incurred by Largo Physical Vanadium Corp. (“LPV”) in connection with the completion of its qualifying transaction.
Other general and administrative expenses were $14.3 million in 2022, compared with $6.4 million in 2021. Other general and administrative expenses were $3.5 million in Q4 2022, compared with $2.3 million in Q4 2021. For 2022, the increase is primarily due to an increase in provisions as well as costs incurred in Q4 2022 in connection with LPV, and in Largo Clean Energy Corp. (“LCE”) which has scaled up activities throughout 2022. The increase in provisions relates to a supply agreement for the Maracás Menchen Mine which was filed with Brazilian courts in October 2014. The ruling requires the Company to pay amounts due, plus interest and legal fees.
Technology start-up costs were $12.7 million in 2022 (2021 – $3.8 million) and $8.2 million in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021 – 3.1 million). This includes a full write-down of battery components inventory at LCE of $6.4 million (Q4 2022 and 2022) (Q4 2021 and 2021 – $nil) to their expected net realizable value. Technology start-up costs relate to LCE’s activities related to ramping up its operations for the deployment of the VCHARGE VRFB system and the titanium project in Brazil.
Finance costs in Q4 2022 increased from Q4 2021 by 118% (or $0.4 million), which is attributable to increased debt, as well as the initial financing fees on the Company’s new debt facilities.
For 2022, cash provided by financing activities increased from cash used in financing activities in 2021 by $33.3 million. The movement is primarily attributable to the receipt of debt of $55.0 million and cash received from the sale of non-controlling interest of $7.3 million (2021 – $nil), partially offset by the repayment of debt of $30.0 million (2021 – $24.8 million) and share repurchases of $6.0 million. Cash provided by financing activities in Q4 2022 increased from cash used in financing activities in Q4 2021 by $24.1 million. This movement was primarily due to the receipt of new debt of $40.0 million, partially offset by a repayment of debt of $15.0 million.
Cash used in investing activities in Q4 2022 of $26.8 million is an increase of $19.8 million from the $7.0 million seen in Q4 2021. This movement was primarily driven by the purchase of vanadium assets and continued work on the ilmenite project. For 2022, the increase from 2021 was $32.7 million. Expenditures in 2022 primarily relate to the ilmenite project, mining equipment, costs relating to a software implementation and cash outflows for purchased product vanadium assets.

Additional Company Updates

Q4 and Full Year 2022 Operational Results: Production of 2,004 tonnes of V₂O₅ in Q4 2022 was in line with the 2,003 tonnes of V₂O₅ produced in Q4 2021, primarily due to reduced massive ore inventory arising from the transition in mining contractors in Q3 2022 and due to unusually heavy rainfall in December 2022. In Q4 2022, the Company produced 839 V₂O₅ equivalent tonnes of high purity products, including 650 tonnes of high purity V₂O₅ and 189 tonnes of high purity vanadium trioxide (“V₂O₃”). This represented 42% of the total quarterly production. In 2022, the Company produced 1,801 V₂O₅ equivalent tonnes of high purity products, including 1,368 tonnes of high purity V₂O₅ and 433 tonnes of high purity V₂O₃. In Q4 2022, 326,552 tonnes of ore were mined with an effective grade⁴ of 0.96% of V₂O₅. The ore mined in Q4 2022 was 18% higher than in Q4 2021. The Company produced 90,797 tonnes of concentrate with an effective grade⁴ of 2.94%. The global recovery⁵ achieved in Q4 2022 was 74.7%, a decrease of 1.7% from the 76.0% achieved in Q4 2021 and 7.4% lower than the 80.7% achieved in Q3 2022. The global recovery⁵ in October 2022 was 75.0%, with 67.8% achieved in November 2022 and 80.8% achieved in December 2022.
Continued Focus on ESG in 2022: The Company continued to improve its overall Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) performance and public disclosures in 2022. This is reflected in additional improved ratings and scores, most notably its S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (“CSA”) rating having improved approximately 38%, placing the Company in the top quartile of its mining peer group for 2022. This improvement was largely driven by updates to Largo’s governance of ESG, including new policies, ESG oversight at the Board level and climate-related disclosures, as well as improved responses related to the Company’s on-going environmental compliance in Brazil. The Company expects to issue its 2022 sustainability report in late Q2 2023.
Largo Clean Energy Recent Developments: During Q4 2022, LCE continued to make significant progress on the delivery of the Enel Green Power España (“EGPE”) contract, which remains a priority focus. Substantially all the hardware is either in transit to or is in Spain awaiting installation. The Company shipped the remaining six of 12 electrolyte storage containers in early 2023 and the Field Service team has been on site in Q1 2023 and work is ongoing to install and interconnect the AC and DC power systems. Provisional acceptance, which requires the completion of as-build drawings, manuals, final punch-list items, and operational testing by EGPE, is expected to be completed by the end of May 2023. Additionally, LCE and Ansaldo continue to focus on the formation of a joint venture for the manufacturing and commercial deployment of VRFBs in the European, African and Middle East power generation markets. The Company’s previously announced memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) has been extended to March 31, 2023, to allow for the negotiation and entering into a joint venture and other ancillary agreements. Ansaldo and LCE continue to develop a business path for the joint venture to service the European markets with Long Duration Energy Storage (“LDES”).
Ilmenite Concentration Plant Progress: The Company progressed with the construction of its ilmenite concentration plant at its Maracás Menchen Mine in Q4 2022. The Company received all required flotation structures and is finalizing the building of its desliming, flotation, filtration, warehouse and pipe rack structures ands expects commissioning of the plant to be completed in Q2 2023.
January and February 2023 Production and Sales: Subsequent to Q4 2022, the Company produced 354 tonnes of V₂O₅ in January and 843 tonnes in February. The Company also sold 1,080 tonnes of V₂O₅ equivalent (including 68 tonnes of purchased material) in January 2023 and 750 tonnes (including 11 tonnes of purchased material) in February. Production in January and February was largely impacted by low ore availability in due to the heavy rains at the mine site and planned maintenance of the kiln for its refractory refurbishment, with sales in February being impacted by a delay in sales recognition. The Company expects to remain within its quarterly production and sales guidance for Q1 2023.
Largo Physical Vanadium Update: LPV’s net assets are now over 90% held in physical vanadium products and near-term delivery commitments (approximately 2.9 million lbs of V₂O₅ equivalent). The launch of LPV in September 2022 coincided with lower vanadium prices, which allowed LPV to purchase vanadium units at favorable market prices. LPV’s net asset value (“NAV”) is now C$2.56 per share or 28% above the closing share price of C$2.00 per share on March 8, 2023. LPV believes its NAV to share price discount offers current and new LPV investors an attractive investment case and closing this disconnect is now LPV’s key focus. LPV management are working on a broad marketing and communication campaign to raise awareness of its investment proposal.
Director Resignation: Following the Company’s previously announced leadership change on February 16, 2023, Mr. Paulo Misk has resigned from his position as a Director of the Company effective March 7, 2023.

Annual 2022 Webcast and Conference Call Information

The Company will host a webcast and conference call on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. ET, to discuss its fourth quarter and annual 2022 results and progress.

Details of the webcast and conference call are listed below:

To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number at https://bit.ly/3Yho3fJ to receive an instant automated call back.

You can also dial direct to be entered to the call by an Operator via dial-in details below.

Conference Call Details
Date:	Friday, March 10, 2023
Time:	1:00 p.m. ET
Dial-in Number:	Local: +1 (647) 794-4605
North American Toll Free: +1 (888) 394-8218
Conference ID:	6338127
Webcast Registration Link:	https://app.webinar.net/Am3ND5Rleqn
RapidConnect Link	https://bit.ly/3Yho3fJ
Replay Number:	Local / International: + 1 (647) 436-0148
North American Toll Free: +1 (888) 203-1112
Replay Passcode: 6338127
Website:	To view press releases or any additional financial information, please visit the Investor Resources section of the Company’s website at: www.largoinc.com/English/investor-resources

A playback recording will be available on the Company’s website for a period of 60-days following the conference call.

The information provided within this release should be read in conjunction with Largo’s annual consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and its management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022 which are available on our website at www.largoinc.com or on the Company’s respective profiles at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.

About Largo

Largo has a long and successful history as one of the world’s preferred vanadium companies through the supply of its VPURE^TM and VPURE+^TM products, which are sourced from one of the world’s highest-grade vanadium deposits at the Company’s Maracás Menchen Mine in Brazil. Aiming to enhance value creation at Largo, the Company will be implementing a titanium dioxide pigment plant using feedstock sourced from its existing operations in addition to advancing its U.S.-based clean energy division with its VCHARGE vanadium batteries. Largo’s VCHARGE vanadium batteries contain a variety of innovations, enabling an efficient, safe and ESG-aligned long duration solution that is fully recyclable at the end of its 25+ year lifespan. Producing some of the world’s highest quality vanadium, Largo’s strategic business plan is based on two pillars: 1.) leading vanadium supplier with an outlined growth plan and 2.) U.S.-based energy storage business support a low carbon future.

Largo’s common shares trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “LGO”. For more information, please visit www.largoinc.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Information:

This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Forward‐looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the timing and amount of estimated future production and sales; the future price of commodities; costs of future activities and operations, including, without limitation, the effect of inflation and exchange rates; the effect of unforeseen equipment maintenance or repairs on production; timing and cost related to the build-out of the ilmenite plant; the ability to produce vanadium trioxide according to customer specifications; the extent of capital and operating expenditures; the impact of global delays and related price increases on the Company’s global supply chain and future sales of vanadium products. Forward‐looking information in this press release also includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to our ability to build, finance and successfully operate a VRFB business, the projected timing and cost of the completion of the EGPE project; our ability to protect and develop our technology, our ability to maintain our IP, the competitiveness of our product in an evolving market, our ability to market, sell and deliver our VCHARGE batteries on specification and at a competitive price, our ability to successfully deploy our VCHARGE batteries in foreign jurisdictions; our ability to negotiate and enter into a joint venture with Ansaldo Green Tech on terms satisfactory to the Company and the success of such joint venture; the receipt of necessary governmental permits and approvals on a timely basis, our ability to secure the required resources to build and deploy our VCHARGE batteries, and the adoption of VRFB technology generally in the market.

The following are some of the assumptions upon which forward-looking information is based: that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; demand for, and stable or improving price of V2O5 and other vanadium commodities; receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals, permits and renewals in a timely manner; that the Company will not experience any material accident, labour dispute or failure of plant or equipment or other material disruption in the Company’s operations at the Maracás Menchen Mine or relating to Largo Clean Energy, specially in respect of the installation and commissioning of the EGPE project; the availability of financing for operations and development; the ability to mitigate the impact of continuing heavy rainfall; the Company’s ability to procure equipment and operating supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; that the estimates of the resources and reserves at the Maracás Menchen Mine are within reasonable bounds of accuracy (including with respect to size, grade and recovery and the operational and price assumptions on which such estimates are based); the competitiveness of the Company’s VRFB technology; the ability to obtain funding through government grants and awards for the Green Energy sector, the accuracy of cost estimates and assumptions on future variations of VCHARGE battery system design, that the Company’s current plans for ilmenite and VRFBs can be achieved; the Company’s “two-pillar” business strategy will be successful; the Company’s sales and trading arrangements will not be affected by the evolving sanctions against Russia; and the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and directors; the ability of management to execute strategic goals.

Contacts

Investor Relations

Alex Guthrie

Senior Manager, External Relations

+1.416.861.9778

aguthrie@largoinc.com

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