Largo Resources Announces Solid Third Quarter 2020 Results Highlighted by its Successful Sales Strategy Implementation and Continued Low-cost Operations

Except as otherwise set out herein, all amounts expressed are in thousands of U.S. dollars, denominated by "$"

Q3 2020 Highlights

• Solid financial position: Cash at September 30, 2020 totaled $74.9 million
• Revenues of $27.5 million, an increase of 14% over Q3 2019
• Revenues per pound sold⁷ of $5.37, a 34% increase over Q3 2019
• Net income of $2.6 million vs. a net loss of $6.0 million in Q3 2019
• Total sales exceeded production levels in August and September 2020 for the first time since commercial independence, highlighting successful implementation of the Company's strategy
• Cash provided (used) before working capital items of $4.8 million vs. cash used in Q3 2019 of $3.8 million
• Record production of 3,092 tonnes (6.8 million pounds¹) of V₂O₅, an increase of 5.0% over Q3 2019
• Record global V₂O₅ recovery rate² of 84.2% in Q3 2020, an increase of 8.0% over Q3 2019
• Continued low-cost operations: Cash operating costs excluding royalties³ of $3.14 per lb of V₂O₅, compared with $3.02 per lb in Q3 2019; Total cash costs³ were $3.69 per lb in Q3 2020

Other Significant Highlights

• 2020 cash cost guidance reduced: Cash operating cost excluding royalties³ guidance lowered to $2.60 – $2.80 / lb V₂O₅ from $3.05 – $3.25 / lb; Total cash cost³ guidance lowered to $3.20 to $3.40 / lb V₂O₅ from 3.45 – $3.65/ lb
• Postponing cost-efficient nameplate capacity increase to Q1 2021: Planned kiln upgrades and cooler maintenance that will increase Largo's production capacity by 10% with a CAPEX of only $1.3 million are postponed to Q1 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions
• Focus on safe business continuity: On track to meet lower end of 2020 production guidance with strong production results expected in Q4 2020; 2020 sales guidance maintained
• 2020 drilling program update: Drilling was ramped up in Q3 2020 with 14,007 metres (80 holes) completed

TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2020 /CNW/ - Largo Resources Ltd. ("Largo" or the "Company") (TSX: LGO) (OTCQX: LGORF) is pleased to announce its third quarter 2020 financial and operating results highlighted by net income of $2.6 million and revenues of $27.5 million from vanadium pentoxide ("V₂O₅") equivalent sales of 2,320 tonnes. The Company achieved a new quarterly V₂O₅ production record of 3,092 tonnes (6.8 million lbs¹) at the Maracás Menchen Mine in Q3 2020 and a new record global recovery rate² of 84.2%.

Paulo Misk, President and Chief Executive Officer for Largo, stated: "Our positive results in Q3 2020 reflect the notable dedication of the entire Largo team as we continue to advance our independent commercial sales strategy and deliver on our operational and sales targets. We are very pleased to report a profitable quarter in Q3 2020 with continued low cash operating costs excluding royalties³of $3.14 per lb and year-to-date cash operating costs excluding royalties³ of $2.70 per lb. Additionally, our independent sales strategy has proven beneficial for the Company in Q3 2020 highlighted by an increase of 34% in revenues per lb⁷ sold to $5.37 from $4.02 per lb sold in Q3 2019." He continued: "Our liquidity position remains solid heading into the final stretch of 2020 and I am pleased to report that we expect to finish the year on a positive note both operationally and financially. 2020 has presented some challenges for Largo but I am very proud of the entire team who have been resilient during unprecedented times. Our integrated supply of vanadium from mine to customer remains one of the lowest costs and highest quality in the world. The future looks very bright for Largo as we expect an increase in vanadium consumption from rebar and steel applications due to new infrastructure spending and through the development of clean energy applications—both of which are aligned with our goal of contributing to a lower carbon future through the use of vanadium."

A summary of the Company's operational and financial performance in Q3 2020 is provided in the tables below.

Effective May 1, 2020, the Company's Canadian and Irish entities have changed their functional currency to the U.S. dollar and the Company has changed its presentation currency from Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar. Prior period comparative information is restated in U.S. dollars to reflect the change in presentation currency.

Financial

Operational

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Performance

In Q3 2020, the Company recognized revenues of $27.5 million from sales of 2,320 tonnes of V₂O₅ equivalent, representing an increase of 14% in revenues over Q3 2019 ($24.1 million). Revenues per pound sold were $5.37 in Q3 2020 compared to $4.02 per pound sold in Q3 2019, representing an increase of 34%. Q3 2020 marked Largo's first full quarter of independent sales and the Company delivered both VPURE™ and VPURE+™ products as well as ferrovanadium ("FeV") powered by VPURE™ to customers in Brazil, North America, Europe and Asia. The Company's total V₂O₅ equivalent sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are 6,508 tonnes.

The Company recorded net income of $2.6 million in Q3 2020 following the recognition of an income tax expense of $0.4 million and a deferred income tax expense of $0.4 million. This compares to net loss of $6.0 million in Q3 2019 and is primarily due to an increase in revenues and decrease in operating costs.

Operating costs for Q3 2020 were $21.0 million compared to $23.7 million in Q3 2019 and include direct mine and production costs of $11.4 million ($16.7 million in Q3 2019), royalties of $1.6 million ($1.4 million in Q3 2019), product acquisition costs of $3.9 million, distribution costs of $0.9 million, inventory write-down of $2 thousand and depreciation and amortization of $3.3 million ($5.6 million in Q3 2019). The decrease in direct mine and production costs is primarily attributable to the decrease in V₂O₅ equivalent sold in Q3 2020.

Cash operating costs excluding royalties³ in Q3 2020 were $3.14 per lb V₂O₅ sold compared to $3.02 in Q3 2019. The increase seen in Q3 2020 compared with Q3 2019 is largely due to a decrease in produced pounds of V₂O₅ sold as well as the incurrence of distribution costs in Q3 2020. In Q3 2020, the Company's total cash costs³ were $3.69 per lb. The Company's total cash costs³ measure excludes royalties, includes total professional, consulting and management fees and other general and administrative expenses and are calculated on total pounds of V₂O₅ sold.

In Q3 2020, cash provided before working capital items was $4.8 million compared to cash used in Q3 2019 of $3.8 million. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased from $6.4 million in Q3 2019 to $0.4 million in Q3 2020. This is primarily due to the change in accounts receivable of $4.6 million in Q3 2020 as the payment terms with the Company's customers is greater than with its former off-take partner. A further factor is the change in inventory of $3.8 million in Q3 2020, which is a consequence of the increased time for the Company to deliver its products and recognize sales. This was offset by the change in deferred revenue of $6.6 million in Q3 2020 as cash payments were received for sales not yet recognized.

The Company's trade payables balance at September 30, 2020 with its former off-take partner was $0.09 million. This is attributable to the re-measurement of trade receivables / payables for V₂O₅ sold in the period to April 30, 2020 and is the last such re-measurement.

Third Quarter 2020 Operational Performance

Q3 2020 production of 3,092 tonnes of V₂O₅ was a new quarterly production record for the Company, being 5% higher than Q3 2019 and 3% higher than the previous record of 3,011 tonnes in Q4 2019. V₂O₅ production in July 2020 was 1,055 tonnes, with 1,100 tonnes produced in August 2020 and 937 tonnes produced in September 2020. Operational stability and an increase in the global recovery² drove the Q3 2020 production performance. Subsequent to Q3 2020, production in October 2020 was 1,119 tonnes of V₂O₅.

The global recovery² record of 84.2% achieved in Q3 2020 was 8% higher than the 78.1% achieved in Q3 2019 and 4% higher than the 80.8% achieved in Q2 2020. This is primarily due to the completion of continuous improvement projects in the plant that focused on recovery levels. This was highlighted by the performance of the kiln and leaching areas in Q3 2020, with record quarterly recovery levels of 92.5% and 99.7%, respectively, being achieved. The global recovery² in July 2020 was 86.0%, with 84.0% achieved in August and 82.1% achieved in September.

In Q3 2020, 287,969 tonnes of ore were mined with an effective grade⁵ of 1.28% of V₂O₅. The ore mined in Q3 2020 was 8% higher than in Q3 2019 and 12% higher than in Q2 2020, which was impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions put in place as well as operational restrictions due to the rainy season. The Company produced 104,921 tonnes of concentrate with an effective grade⁵ of 3.32%. The operational performance in Q3 2020 has remained in-line with the Company's plans despite the COVID-19 restrictions put in place.

The Company's planned upgrades to the kiln and improvements in the cooler to increase nameplate capacity to 1,100 tonnes of V₂O₅ per month are now scheduled for Q1 2021 as a result of precautionary measures taken by the Company in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Successful Sales Strategy Implementation – Strong Sales Results in August and September 2020

The Company progresses its sales strategy for 2020 is in line with expectations, highlighted by V₂O₅ equivalent sales of 1,062 tonnes in August 2020 and 1,060 tonnes in September 2020. From May to July 2020, the Company successfully built the necessary inventories to fill its sales pipeline and meet customer commitments as planned. As a result of Largo's new commercial independence and sales flexibility, the Company increased its sales in China to take advantage of higher prices and greater overall demand in Q3 2020. This further highlights the positive effect of the Company's commercial strategy on its reputation, visibility and financial performance. Delivery times to Asia have increased in Q3 2020 due to logistical constraints related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company continues to actively manage this process to provide premium products and service to its customers and remains confident in its ability to deliver on its 2020 sales guidance of 9,500 to 10,000 tonnes of V₂O₅.

For Q3 2020, the average price per lb of V₂O₅ in Europe was approximately $5.33, compared with approximately $7.16 for Q3 2019. During Q3 2020, the average price per lb of V₂O₅ in Europe increased by 1%, ending the period with an average price of approximately $5.35, compared with approximately $5.30 at June 30, 2020. In Q3 2020, the average price per lb of V₂O₅ in China was approximately $5.90 on a cost, insurance, and freight ("CIF") equivalent basis. In Q3 2020, China continued to be the driver of global vanadium demand from increased infrastructure spending and the development of green technology applications. Going forward, Largo expects additional global vanadium demand growth as a result of recently announced stimulus packages and a focus on carbon footprint reduction. These significant, long-term trends are forecast to increase the consumption of vanadium in rebar, high-quality steel applications and through new vanadium redox flow battery deployments around the world.

Exploration Drilling Program Ramped Up in Q3 2020

After delays experienced in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, exploration drilling was ramped up and 14,007 metres of drilling (80 holes) was completed in Q3 2020. Drilling focused on definition drilling at Novo Amparo Norte, Gulcari A Norte and additional drilling at the Campbell Pit. In early October 2020, drills were moved to the São José and Novo Amparo deposits for further expansion and resource definition drilling to gain a greater level of understanding of these deposits. As of November 12, 2020, the Company has drilled 19,465 metres (109 holes).

The Company does not anticipate any further disruptions to the overall 2020 exploration plan. The São José and Novo Amparo targets, as well as depth extension drilling at the Campbell Pit, will be the focus of exploration activities in Q4 2020.

Conference Call

Largo Resources' management will host a conference call on Friday, November 13, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. ET, to discuss both operational and financial results for the third quarter of 2020.

Conference Call Details:

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 unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and its management's discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, which are available on our website at www.largoresources.com and on SEDAR.

About Largo Resources

Largo Resources is an industry preferred producer and supplier of vanadium for the global steel and high purity markets. Largo's VPURE™ and VPURE+™ products are sourced from one of the world's highest-grade vanadium deposits at the Maracás Menchen Mine located in Brazil. The Company's common shares are principally listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "LGO". For more information on Largo and VPURE™, please visit www.largoresources.com and www.largoVPURE.com.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange (nor its regulatory service provider) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information under Canadian securities legislation, some of which may be considered "financial outlook" for the purposes of application Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements"). 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; costs of future activities and operations; the extent of capital and operating expenditures; and the extent and overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and globally. 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 the 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 SEDAR 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&As which also apply.

Trademarks are owned by Largo Resources Ltd.

Non-GAAP⁸ Measures

The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial performance measures in its press release and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, which are described in the following section.

Revenues Per Pound

The Company's press release refers to revenues per pound sold, a non-GAAP performance measure that is used to provide investors with information about a key measure used by management to monitor performance of the Company.

This measure, along with cash operating costs and total cash costs, is considered to be one of the key indicators of the Company's ability to generate operating earnings and cash flow from its Maracás Menchen Mine and sales activities. This revenues per pound measure does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and differs from measures determined in accordance with IFRS. This measure is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. This measure is not necessarily indicative of net earnings or cash flow from operating activities as determined under IFRS.

The following table provides a reconciliation of this measure per pound sold to revenues as per the Q3 2020 unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

Cash Operating Costs Per Pound

The Company's press release refers to cash operating costs per pound, a non-GAAP performance measure, in order to provide investors with information about a key measure used by management to monitor performance. This information is used to assess how well the Maracás Menchen Mine is performing compared to plan and prior periods, and also to assess its overall effectiveness and efficiency.

Cash operating costs includes mine site operating costs such as mining costs, plant and maintenance costs, sustainability costs, mine and plant administration costs, royalties, distribution costs and sales, general and administrative costs (all for the mine properties segment), but excludes depreciation and amortization, share-based payments, foreign exchange gains or losses, commissions, reclamation, capital expenditures and exploration and evaluation costs. Operating costs not attributable to the mine properties segment are also excluded, including product acquisition costs and inventory write-downs. These costs are then divided by the pounds of vanadium sold that were produced by the Maracás Menchen Mine to arrive at the cash operating costs per pound. Prior to 2020, these costs were divided by the pounds of production from the Maracás Menchen Mine, rather than pounds sold. These periods have been recalculated using produced pounds sold in the following table. This measure differs to the new total cash costs non-GAAP measure the Company will use to measure its overall performance starting in 2020 (see later in this section). 

These measures, along with revenues, are considered to be one of the key indicators of the Company's ability to generate operating earnings and cash flow from its Maracás Menchen Mine. These cash operating costs measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and differ from measures determined in accordance with IFRS. These measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures are not necessarily indicative of net earnings or cash flow from operating activities as determined under IFRS.

In addition, the Company's press release refers to cash operating costs excluding royalties. This is a non-GAAP performance measure and is calculated as cash operating costs less royalties, as disclosed in the following table.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash operating costs per pound for the Maracás Menchen Mine to operating costs as per the Q3 2020 unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

Total Cash Costs

The Company's press release refers to total cash costs, a non-GAAP performance measure, in order to provide investors with information about a key measure used by management to monitor performance. This information is used to assess how well the Company is performing at producing and selling vanadium products compared to plan and prior periods, and also to assess its overall effectiveness and efficiency.

Total cash costs are a non-GAAP performance measure that includes all operating costs, sales and distribution costs and the Company's total professional, consulting and management fees and other general and administrative expenses. Total cash costs exclude royalties, depreciation and amortization, share-based payments, foreign exchange gains or losses, commissions, reclamation costs, exploration and evaluation costs and capital expenditures. These costs are then divided by the total pounds of vanadium sold by the Company to arrive at total cash costs.

This measure differs from cash operating costs per pound in that it includes all operating costs, sales and distribution costs, professional, consulting and management fees and other general and administrative expenses, rather than just those from the Mine properties segment, and is calculated on total V₂O₅ equivalent pounds sold rather than pounds sold that were produced by the Maracás Menchen Mine. The Company believes this will be a more accurate reflection of its all-in unit costs.  

This total cash costs measure does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and differs from measures determined in accordance with IFRS. This measure is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. This measure is not necessarily indicative of net earnings or cash flow from operating activities as determined under IFRS.

The following table provides a reconciliation of total cash costs to operating costs as per the Q3 2020 unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

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SOURCE Largo Resources Ltd.