- Record V2O5 production of 3,092 tonnes
(6.8 million lbs1) in Q3 2020, a 5.0% increase over
Q3 2019
- Total sales exceeded production levels in August and
September 2020 for the first time
since commercial independence, highlighting successful rollout of
the Company's strategy
- Record global V2O5 recovery
rate2 of 84.2% in Q3 2020, an increase of 8.0%
over Q3 2019
- 2020 cash cost guidance reduced: Cash operating cost
excluding royalties3 guidance lowered to
US$2.60 – $2.80 / lb V2O5; Total cash
cost3 guidance lowered to US$3.20 to $3.40 /
lb V2O5
- 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
US$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
- Strong vanadium demand in Q3 2020 in China from increased infrastructure spending
on the back of recently announced stimulus packages as well as
development of green technology applications to meet carbon
footprint reduction targets
TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2020 /CNW/ - Largo Resources Ltd.
("Largo" or the "Company") (TSX: LGO) (OTCQX: LGORF)
is pleased to report third quarter 2020 production and global sales
results from its Maracás Menchen Mine highlighted by a new
quarterly production record of 3,092 tonnes (6.8 million
lbs1) of vanadium pentoxide
("V2O5") and a new record global
recovery rate2 of 84.2%.
Paulo Misk, President and Chief
Executive Officer for Largo, stated: "The health and safety of
our workforce continues to remain a top priority for Largo and our
focus on preventative measures early on has enabled the Company to
continue operations in a safe manner since March 2020. In Q3 2020, operations performed
exceptionally well with the Company achieving a new quarterly
V2O5 production record of 3,092 tonnes and a
new quarterly global recovery2 rate record of 84.2%. The
Company has also reduced its cash operating cost excluding
royalties3 and total cash cost3 guidance for
2020 to US$2.60 - $2.80 and US$3.20 -
$3.40 / lb
V2O5, respectively. This reflects our
positive year-to-date performance and the Company's expectations
for the balance of the year. Additionally, the Company is on track
to meet the lower end of its 2020 production guidance of 11,750 –
12,250 tonnes of V2O5 and we look forward to
ending the year on another high note. I am very proud of the entire
operations team as they continue to demonstrate their ability to
effectively meet and exceed operational targets, especially during
these uncertain times."
He continued: "I am also very happy with our sales and
trading performance in Q3 2020 with V2O5
equivalent sales of 1,062 tonnes in August
2020 and 1,060 tonnes in September
2020. From May to July 2020,
we successfully built the necessary inventories to fill our sales
pipeline and meet customer commitments as planned. Creating value
through the control of our product from mine to end-user is a key
priority for Largo and we are confident in delivering on our 2020
sales guidance of 9,500 to 10,000 tonnes of
V2O5." He concluded: "As a result of
our commercial independence and sales flexibility, Largo has
increased its sales in China to
take advantage of higher prices and greater overall demand in Q3
2020. China continues to be the
driver of global vanadium demand from increased infrastructure
spending and the development of green technology applications. We
expect 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."
A summary of Q3 2020 production results from the Maracás Menchen
Mine is presented below:
Maracás Menchen
Mine Production
|
Q3
2020
|
Q2
2020
|
Q1
2020
|
Q3
2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Ore Mined
(tonnes)
|
287,969
|
257,357
|
203,966
|
267,257
|
Ore Grade Mined -
Effective Grade (%)4
|
1.28
|
1.20
|
1.61
|
1.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective Grade of
Ore Milled (%)4
|
1.26
|
1.29
|
1.59
|
1.44
|
Concentrate Produced
(tonnes)
|
104,921
|
99,059
|
100,072
|
92,629
|
Grade of Concentrate
(%)
|
3.32
|
3.20
|
3.36
|
3.26
|
Contained
V2O5 (tonnes)
|
3,487
|
3,174
|
3,365
|
3,016
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crushing Recovery
(%)
|
98.1
|
97.7
|
98.3
|
96.5
|
Milling Recovery
(%)
|
96.5
|
94.7
|
98.4
|
97.0
|
Kiln Recovery
(%)
|
92.5
|
91.7
|
88.3
|
88.8
|
Leaching Recovery
(%)
|
99.7
|
99.1
|
96.6
|
97.2
|
Chemical Plant
Recovery (%)
|
96.4
|
96.1
|
96.8
|
96.7
|
Global Recovery
(%)2
|
84.2
|
80.8
|
79.9
|
78.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
V2O5 produced (Flake + Powder)
(tonnes)
|
3,092
|
2,562
|
2,831
|
2,952
|
V2O5 produced (equivalent
pounds)1
|
6,816,685
|
5,648,236
|
6,241,279
|
6,508,038
|
Q3 2020 Production Results
Total production from the Maracás Menchen Mine was 3,092 tonnes
of V2O5, representing an increase of 5.0%
over Q3 2019 and a new quarterly production record for the Company.
Production in Q3 2020 was 3% above current nameplate production
capacity and is largely attributable to greater operational
stability and higher global recoveries achieved during the quarter.
Production was 1,055 tonnes of V2O5 in
July 2020, 1,100 tonnes in
August 2020 and 937 tonnes in
September 2020.
In Q3 2020, 287,969 tonnes of ore with an effective
V2O5 grade4 of 1.28% were mined
compared to 267,257 tonnes in Q3 2019 with an effective
V2O5 grade4 of 1.52%. The Company
also produced 104,921 tonnes of concentrate ore with an average
V2O5 grade of 3.32% in Q3 2020 compared
to 92,629 tonnes in Q3 2019 with an average
V2O5 grade of 3.26%.
The Company achieved a new record global
V2O5 recovery rate2 of 84.2% in Q3
2020 representing an 8.0% increase over Q3 2019 (78.1%). This is
primarily attributable to continuous improvement projects performed
on the plant during the quarter with a focus on greater overall
recoveries.
2020 Cash Cost Guidance Update
|
|
2020
Guidance
|
Revised 2020
Guidance
|
Cash operating costs
excluding royalties3
|
US$/lb
|
3.05 –
3.25
|
2.60 –
2.80
|
Total cash
costs3
|
US$/lb
|
3.45 –
3.65
|
3.20 –
3.40
|
Cost-efficient Nameplate Capacity Increase of 10% Postponed
to Q1 2021
As a result of ongoing precautions related to the COVID-19
pandemic which limit the number of contractors permitted on site,
the Company has postponed its kiln upgrades and cooler maintenance
to Q1 2021. The Company's planned nameplate capacity increase is
expected to increase monthly production from 1,000 tonnes of
V2O5 per month to 1,100 tonnes for a CAPEX of
US$1.3 million. Largo does not expect
this to affect production levels in Q1 2021.
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 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 The cash operating costs per
pound sold, cash operating costs excluding royalties per pound sold
and total cash costs reported are on a non-GAAP basis. Refer to the
"Non-GAAP Measures" section of the Company's Management Discussion
and Analysis for the three and six months ended June 30,
2020.
|
4 Effective grade represents the
percentage of magnetic material mined multiplied by the percentage
of V2O5 in the magnetic concentrate.
|
SOURCE Largo Resources Ltd.