Largo Increases Quarterly V2O5 Production by 42% with 3,072 Tonnes Produced in Q3 2024; Signs Binding Term Sheet to Supply 2,100 Tonnes of V2O5 for Consideration of $23.5 Million, Leveraging Vanadium Inventories and Optimizing Sales
Q3 2024 and Other Highlights
- V2O5 production of 3,072 tonnes (6.8 million lbs1) in Q3 2024, a 42% increase over the 2,163 tonnes produced in Q3 2023 and the highest quarterly production in seven quarters
- V2O5 production of 1,002 tonnes in July, 973 tonnes in August and 1,097 tonnes in September, with September production representing the highest monthly production in two years
- Global V2O5 recovery rate3 of 81.1% in Q3 2024 vs. 76.9% in Q3 2023, a 6% increase
- Ramp up of the Company’s ilmenite concentration plant continues with production of 16,383 tonnes in Q3 2024, a 90% increase over the 8,625 tonnes produced in Q2 2024
- Ilmenite concentrate sales of 19,572 tonnes in Q3 2024, a 60% increase over the 12,261 tonnes sold in Q2 2024
- V2O5 equivalent sales of 1,961 tonnes in Q3 2024 vs. 2,385 tonnes sold in Q3 2023
-
Vanadium supply agreement unlocks approximately
$23.5 million through the supply of 2,100 tonnes of the Company’s standard grade V2O5, subject to repurchase option; Reduces vanadium inventories without impacting current, future or long-term contract vanadium sales commitments -
The average benchmark price per lb of V2O5 in
Europe was$5.71 in Q3 2024, a 4% decrease from the average of$5.93 in Q2 2024 and 29% below the average of$8.03 seen in Q3 2023; Largely driven by an oversupply of vanadium inAsia andEurope ; According to recent data from leading vanadium organizationVanitec , the oversupply gap is now gradually narrowing - 2024 production, sales, cost and capital expenditures guidance remain unchanged
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Largo Increases Quarterly V2O5 Production by 42% with 3,072 Tonnes Produced in Q3 2024; Signs Binding Term Sheet to Supply 2,100 Tonnes of V2O5 for Consideration of
The Company is also pleased to announce that it has signed binding documentation with the Commodities business of a
He continued: “The vanadium supply agreement allows Largo to unlock approximately
Maracás Menchen Mine Operational and Sales Results
Q3 2024 |
Q2 2024 |
Q1 2024 |
Q3 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Mined – Dry Basis (tonnes) |
3,815,827 |
3,216,930 |
3,243,492 |
4,178,185 |
Total Ore Mined (tonnes) |
600,198 |
568,588 |
604,231 |
447,165 |
Ore Grade Mined - Effective Grade (%) 2 |
0.76 |
0.69 |
0.53 |
0.74 |
|
|
|
|
|
Concentrate Produced (tonnes) |
124,408 |
115,075 |
74,986 |
87,447 |
Grade of Concentrate (%) |
2.94 |
2.95 |
2.90 |
2.94 |
Global Recovery (%) 3 |
81.1 |
74.3 |
70.5 |
76.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
V2O5 produced (Flake + Powder) (tonnes) |
3,072 |
2,689 |
1,729 |
2,163 |
V2O5 produced (equivalent pounds) 1 |
6,772,593 |
5,928,223 |
3,811,788 |
4,768,593 |
Total V2O5 equivalent sold (tonnes) |
1,961 |
1,841 |
2,765 |
2,385 |
Produced V2O5 equivalent sold (tonnes) |
1,837 |
1,713 |
2,609 |
2,129 |
Purchased V2O5 equivalent sold (tonnes) |
124 |
128 |
156 |
256 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ilmenite concentrate produced (tonnes) |
16,383 |
8,625 |
9,563 |
- |
Ilmenite concentrate sold (tonnes) |
19,572 |
12,261 |
513 |
- |
Q3 2024 and Other Additional Highlights
-
Improved V2O5 Production in Q2 2024 Following Completion of Q1 2024 Maintenance: V2O5 equivalent production from the Maracás
Menchen Mine was 3,072 tonnes in Q3 2024, a 42% increase compared to 2,163 tonnes produced in Q3 2023. Production was supported by improved operational efficiencies and higher global recoveries3, which averaged 81.1% in Q3 2024, compared to 76.9% in Q3 2023. The Company mined 600,198 tonnes of ore with an effective V2O5 grade2 of 0.76% in Q3 2024, representing a 34% increase in ore mined compared to 447,165 tonnes in Q3 2023. Total concentrate produced increased to 124,408 tonnes with an effective grade of 2.94%, compared to 87,447 tonnes produced in the same period last year. The Company remains focused on increasing mined and processed throughput in order to meet its production targets in a lower ore grade scenario, with total ore mined for the quarter reaching 3,815,827 tonnes on a dry basis. - Reminder: 2nd Kiln Maintenance to be Conducted in Q4 2024: As previously disclosed, the Company will complete a second kiln maintenance, originally planned for Q1 2025, in Q4 2024, which is expected to result in lower production and higher unit costs during the quarter. This rescheduling is intended to mitigate the operational impacts of the rainy season, particularly during the high-precipitation months of December and January, positioning the Company to begin 2025 on solid footing and meet its annual production targets.
- Q3 2024 Sales Impacted by Lower Spot Market Demand: In Q3 2024, Largo sold 1,961 tonnes of V2O5 equivalent (which includes 124 tonnes of purchased material sold), a 18% decrease compared to 2,385 tonnes sold in Q3 2023. The reduction in vanadium sales was driven by lower spot market demand, while the Company is proceeding with efforts to reduce inventories with its vanadium supply agreement. Ilmenite concentrate sales reached 19,572 tonnes in Q3 2024, representing a 60% increase over the 12,261 tonnes sold in Q2 2024. The Company remains focused on optimizing its sales strategy to navigate near-term challenges and capitalize on future opportunities.
About Largo
Largo is a globally recognized vanadium company known for its high-quality VPURE® and VPURE+® products, sourced from its Maracás
Largo’s common shares trade on the
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Information:
This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and
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 products, ilmenite and titanium dioxide pigment; 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
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. All information contained in this news release, other than statements of current and historical fact, is forward looking information. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Largo to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those risks described in the annual information form of Largo and in its public documents filed on www.sedarplus.ca and available on www.sec.gov from time to time. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Although management of Largo has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Largo does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Readers should also review the risks and uncertainties sections of Largo’s annual and interim MD&A which also apply.
Trademarks are owned by
1
Conversion of tonnes to pounds, 1 tonne = 2,204.62 pounds or lbs.
2
Effective grade represents the percentage of magnetic material mined multiplied by the percentage of V2O5 in the magnetic concentrate.
3
Global recovery is the product of crushing recovery, milling recovery, kiln recovery, leaching recovery and chemical plant recovery.
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Investor Relations
Director, Investor Relations
+1.416.861.9778
aguthrie@largoinc.com
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