- V2O5 production of 2,562 tonnes (5.6
million lbs1) in Q2 2020, a 2.0% increase over Q2
2019
- Global V2O5 recovery rate2
of 80.8% in Q2 2020 compared to 79.1% in Q2 2019
- Nameplate capacity increase by 10%: Planned kiln upgrades
and cooler maintenance scheduled for Q4 2020 with a capex of
US$1.3 million
- First independent vanadium shipment made on May 14, 2020
- Operations at the Maracás Menchen Mine continued in Q2 2020;
2020 guidance maintained on a "business as usual" basis
TORONTO, July 16, 2020 /CNW/ - Largo Resources Ltd.
("Largo" or the "Company") (TSX: LGO) (OTCQX: LGORF)
announces second quarter 2020 production results from its Maracás
Menchen Mine with production of 2,562 tonnes (5.6 million lbs) of
vanadium pentoxide ("V2O5") produced
at an average global recovery rate2 of 80.8%.
Paulo Misk, President and Chief
Executive Officer for Largo, stated: "Following the completion
of the enhanced preventative maintenance program in the chemical
plant, the Company's operations performed well in Q2 2020 with
total V2O5 production of
2,562 tonnes and a global
V2O5 recovery rate of 80.8%.
This represents a 2.0% increase in production over Q2 2019 and the
strong production in May and June further demonstrates the plant's
ability to perform above its current nameplate capacity of 1,000
tonnes of V2O5 per month.
In Q4 2020, we expect to perform the planned upgrades to the kiln
and improvements in the cooler to increase the nameplate capacity
to 1,100 tonnes of
V2O5 per month. The total
capex for this project is approximately US$1.3 million and we do not expect this work to
impact production in Q4 2020."
He continued: "We completed our first independent vanadium
shipment on May 14, 2020 marking a
propitious moment for the Company as we begin to capture the full
economic and strategic value associated with our transition to
commercial independence. The Company continues to maintain
its 2020 guidance on a business as usual basis and has not
experienced any significant impacts to operations or to the
shipment of material as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
We continue to prioritize the health and safety of our workforce
and extend our support to our local communities as we proactively
manage the circumstances related to the global COVID-19
pandemic."
A summary of Q2 2020 production results from the Maracás Menchen
Mine is presented below:
|
|
|
|
Maracás Menchen
Mine Production
|
Q2
2020
|
Q1
2020
|
Q2
2019
|
|
|
|
|
Total Ore Mined
(tonnes)
|
257,357
|
203,966
|
308,858
|
Ore Grade Mined -
Effective Grade (%)3
|
1.20
|
1.61
|
1.21
|
|
|
|
|
Effective Grade of
Ore Milled (%)3
|
1.29
|
1.59
|
1.49
|
Concentrate Produced
(tonnes)
|
99,059
|
100,072
|
102,320
|
Grade of Concentrate
(%)
|
3.20
|
3.36
|
3.30
|
Contained
V2O5 (tonnes)
|
3,174
|
3,365
|
3,380
|
|
|
|
|
Crushing Recovery
(%)
|
97.7
|
98.3
|
98.0
|
Milling Recovery
(%)
|
94.7
|
98.4
|
97.9
|
Kiln Recovery
(%)
|
91.7
|
88.3
|
88.8
|
Leaching Recovery
(%)
|
99.1
|
96.6
|
95.7
|
Chemical Plant
Recovery (%)
|
96.1
|
96.8
|
97.1
|
Global Recovery
(%)2
|
80.8
|
79.9
|
79.1
|
|
|
|
|
V2O5 produced (Flake + Powder)
(tonnes)
|
2,562
|
2,831
|
2,515
|
V2O5 produced (equivalent
pounds)1
|
5,648,236
|
6,241,279
|
5,544,619
|
Q2 2020 Production Results
Total production from the Maracas Menchen Mine was 2,562 tonnes
of V2O5, representing an increase of 2.0%
over Q2 2019. Following the completion of the Company's
preventative maintenance program, V2O5
production in April 2020 was 480
tonnes with 1,052 tonnes produced in May
2020 and 1,030 tonnes in June
2020.
In Q2 2020, 257,357 tonnes of ore with an effective
V2O5 grade3 of 1.20% were mined
compared to 308,858 tonnes in Q2 2019 with an effective
V2O5 grade3 of 1.21%. The crushing
unit was fed with 304,560 tonnes with an effective
V2O5 grade3 of 1.03% and
the Company produced 99,059 tonnes of concentrate ore with an
average V2O5 grade3 of 3.20%.
The decrease in total ore mined when compared to Q2 2019 is due to
operational adjustments to limit the Company's contracted mining
workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as operational
restrictions due to the rainy season. During this time. the Company
used available stocks to feed the crushing plant in order to
mitigate the impact on V2O5 production.
Global V2O5 recovery rates2
averaged 80.8% in Q2 2020 representing a 2% increase over Q2 2019
(79.1%). This is primarily attributable to improved recoveries in
the kiln and leaching section of the plant during the quarter.
COVID-19 Update: 2020 Guidance Maintained
The Company continues to monitor the evolving COVID-19 pandemic
and has taken preventative measures at its mine site and corporate
offices to mitigate potential risks. There continues to be no
significant impact on our production or on our shipment of product
out of Maracás. To date, there continues to be no significant
disruption to the Company's supply chain for its operations and the
level of critical consumables continues to be at normal levels. In
addition, the restrictions imposed by the government in
Brazil have not significantly
impacted operations. The Company continues to follow the
recommendations provided by health authorities and all corporate
office personnel have been instructed to work from home where
possible. The Company continues to staff critical functions at the
mine site and has encouraged those in non-essential roles to work
from home.
In addition, the Company's 2020 guidance continues to be
presented on a "business as usual" basis. Largo continues to
monitor measures being imposed by governments globally to reduce
the spread of COVID-19 and the impact that this may have on our
operations and guidance for 2020. Although these restrictions have
not, to date, had a material impact on our operations, the
potential future impact of COVID-19 both in Brazil and globally could have a significant
impact on our operations, sales efforts and logistics. The Company
will continue to monitor the situation and will, if and when
necessary, update its guidance accordingly.
About Largo Resources
Largo Resources is an industry preferred producer and supplier
of vanadium. 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 press 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.
_________________________________________
|
1
|
Conversion of
tonnes to pounds, 1 tonne = 2,204.62 pounds or lbs.
|
2
|
Global recovery is
the product of crushing recovery, milling recovery, kiln recovery,
leaching recovery and chemical plant recovery.
|
3
|
Effective grade
represents the percentage of magnetic material mined multiplied by
the percentage of V2O5 in the magnetic
concentrate.
|
SOURCE Largo Resources Ltd.