Itafos (TSX-V: IFOS) (the “
Company”) reported
today its Q2 2020 financial results and operational highlights. The
Company’s financial statements and management’s discussion and
analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are
available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com and on the
Company’s website at www.itafos.com. All dollar values are in
thousands of US Dollars except as otherwise noted.
“We delivered strong financial and operational
performance during Q2 2020, demonstrated by our adjusted EBITDA for
the quarter improving $14 million year-over-year. Our focus on
improving margins and corporate-wide cost savings initiatives, in
addition to a disciplined approach to capital allocation and
efforts to mitigate sulfuric acid supply disruptions all
contributed to these results,” said Dr. Mhamed Ibnabdeljalil, CEO
of Itafos. “Looking forward, we are maintaining our original
guidance for full year 2020 adjusted EBITDA and we are continuing
to make progress on extending Itafos Conda’s mine life, optimizing
Itafos Conda’s EBITDA generation capability and advancing our newly
launched stage-gate restart program for Itafos Arraias.”
Overall Highlights
For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the
Company’s financial highlights were as follows:
- generated adjusted EBITDA of
$11,324 [Q2 2019: $(2,347)], representing a 582% increase
year-over-year primarily due improved margins at Itafos Conda, cost
savings following the idling of Itafos Arraias, and implementation
of aggressive corporate wide cost savings and deferral of spending
initiatives;
- recorded a write-off of mineral
properties of $8,449 at Itafos Paris Hills following the Company’s
decision to wind down the concession following completion of the
technical report titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Itafos
Conda and Itafos Paris Hills Mineral Projects, Idaho, USA” and
dated as of July 1, 2019 (the “Itafos Conda Technical
Report”), which defined Husky 1/North Dry Ridge
(“H1/NDR”) as the Company’s path forward for mine
life extension at Itafos Conda;
- incurred net loss of $(20,814) [Q2
2019: $(21,597)], representing a 4% decrease year-over-year
primarily due to the same factors that resulted in improved
adjusted EBITDA, which were offset by a write-off of mineral
properties at Itafos Paris Hills;
- drew an additional $5,300 under the
Company’s unsecured and subordinated promissory note (the
“CLF Promissory Note”) with an additional $10,700
remaining available to be drawn by the Company at its sole
discretion through December 31, 2020 (the “Availability
Period”); and
- continued to advance aggressive
corporate wide cost savings and deferral of spending initiatives,
including corporate streamlining initiatives resulting in
dissolution of two unutilized legacy entities.
For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the
Company’s business highlights were as follows:
- continued corporate-wide risk
mitigation measures to address potential impacts to employees,
contractors and operations as a result of the novel strain of
coronavirus (“COVID-19”) resulting in no material
impact to operations;
- demonstrated sustained
environmental, health and safety excellence at Itafos Conda and
Itafos Arraias, including no environmental releases and one
recordable injury;
- produced total production volumes
at Itafos Conda of 134,391t [Q2 2019: 150,934t], representing an
11% decrease year-over-year primarily due to a disruption in
sulfuric acid from its primary supplier resulting in lower APP and
MAP production;
- generated adjusted EBITDA at Itafos
Conda of $14,458 [Q2 2019: $11,283], representing a 28% increase
year-over-year primarily due to improved margins as a result of
lower input costs;
- realized net income at Itafos Conda
of $3,428 [Q2 2019: $560], representing a 512% increase
year-over-year primarily due to the same factors that resulted in
improved adjusted EBITDA;
- advanced activities related to
extending Itafos Conda’s mine life through permitting and
development of H1/NDR, including preparing and submitting an
updated Mine and Reclamation Plan to the Bureau of Land Management
(the “BLM”) as part of the National Environmental
Policy Act (“NEPA”) permitting process;
- advanced activities related to
optimizing Itafos Conda’s EBITDA generation capability, including
advancing development of MAP enhanced with zinc as an additional
product in the new line of micronutrient enhanced products and
evaluating proposals received for pilot testing and a front-end
engineering and design (“FEED”) study related to
anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and precipitated silica
(“AHF/PS”) by-product recovery and a feasibility
study related to on-site ammonia production;
- maintained the idling of Itafos
Arraias following best practices and monetized remaining inventory
and raw materials to partially offset costs;
- launched a stage-gate restart
program for Itafos Arraias, including designing a detailed in-fill
drilling program and engaging a third party to conduct the
metallurgical test work that will form the basis of the revised
beneficiation process; and
- advanced the development of Itafos
Farim to construction ready state, including achieving substantial
completion of construction of the contractor’s camp and advanced
project financing, related permitting and offtake initiatives.
For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the
Company’s other highlights included issuance of 11,347 shares (net
of 3,653 shares withheld to pay applicable taxes) due to vesting
under the Company’s restricted share unit plan (the “RSU
Plan”).
Subsequent to the three months ended June 30,
2020, the Company’s overall highlights were as follows:
- decided to conduct a reduced scope
plant turnaround at Itafos Conda during July 2020 as part of its
risk mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was
completed with no environmental releases or recordable
injuries;
- announced that Itafos Conda has
been experiencing a significant disruption in sulfuric acid supply
from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott mine and advanced efforts to mitigate
potential adverse effects of the disruption;
- closed a $20,000 secured working
capital financing at Itafos Conda with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(the “Revolving Facility”), which
refinanced the $20,000 secured working capital financing at Itafos
Conda with Gavilon Fertilizer, LLC (the “Gavilon
Facility”), of which $10,000 was drawn at
closing;
- repaid the Gavilon Facility in full
in connection with closing the Revolving Facility;
- drew an additional $5,300 under the
CLF Promissory Note with an additional $5,400 available to be drawn
by the Company at its sole discretion through the Availability
Period;
- advanced the wind down of the
Itafos Paris Hills concession, including issuing mineral lease
termination letters to land owners, following completion of the
Itafos Conda Technical Report, which defined H1/NDR as the
Company’s path forward for mine life extension at Itafos Conda;
and
- cash settled 27,154 RSUs for $6
under the RSU plan.
Financial Highlights
For the three months ended June 30, 2020
and 2019, the Company’s financial highlights were as follows:
(unaudited in thousands of US Dollars |
|
For the three months ended June 30, |
|
|
For the six months ended June 30, |
|
except for per share amounts) |
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
62,111 |
|
|
$ |
103,072 |
|
|
$ |
137,472 |
|
|
$ |
176,250 |
|
Operating loss |
|
|
(10,576 |
) |
|
|
(14,079 |
) |
|
|
(22,819 |
) |
|
|
(20,089 |
) |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
11,324 |
|
|
|
(2,347 |
) |
|
|
10,536 |
|
|
|
(200 |
) |
Net loss |
|
|
(20,814 |
) |
|
|
(21,597 |
) |
|
|
(39,103 |
) |
|
|
(34,928 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maintenance capex |
|
$ |
1,582 |
|
|
$ |
11,861 |
|
|
$ |
3,501 |
|
|
$ |
17,047 |
|
Growth capex |
|
|
1,463 |
|
|
|
3,164 |
|
|
|
2,869 |
|
|
|
6,180 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic loss per share |
|
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.15 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.21 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.25 |
) |
Fully diluted loss per share |
|
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.15 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.21 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.25 |
) |
For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the
Company’s financial highlights were explained as follows:
- revenues were down year-over-year
primarily due to lower sales volumes and lower realized prices from
continued downward pressure on diammonium phosphate
(“DAP”) New Orleans (“NOLA”)
prices to which MAP sales prices are linked at Itafos Conda and the
idling of Itafos Arraias;
- adjusted EBITDA was up
year-over-year primarily due to improved margins at Itafos Conda,
cost savings following the idling of Itafos Arraias, and
implementation of aggressive corporate wide cost savings and
deferral of spending initiatives;
- net loss was down year-over-year
primarily due to the same factors that resulted in improved
adjusted EBITDA, which were largely offset by a write-off of
mineral properties at Itafos Paris Hills;
- maintenance capex was down
year-over-year primarily due to the Company’s decision to conduct a
reduced scope plant turnaround at Itafos Conda during July 2020 as
part of its risk mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic;
and
- growth capex was down
year-over-year primarily due to reduced spend at Itafos Farim upon
reaching construction ready state.
As at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019,
the Company’s financial highlights were as follows:
(unaudited in thousands of US Dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,2020 |
|
|
December 31,2019 |
|
Total assets |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
450,713 |
|
|
$ |
510,764 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
345,087 |
|
|
|
368,505 |
|
Net debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
212,135 |
|
|
|
187,319 |
|
Adjusted net debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
153,469 |
|
|
|
136,900 |
|
Total equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
105,626 |
|
|
|
142,259 |
|
As at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019,
the Company’s financial highlights were explained as follows:
- total assets were down
period-over-period primarily due to lower inventory at Itafos Conda
and Itafos Arraias and higher depreciation and depletion at Itafos
Conda, which was partially offset by fixed assets additions
primarily at Itafos Conda;
- total liabilities were down
period-over-period primarily due to lower trade and taxes payable
at Itafos Conda;
- net debt was up period-over-period
primarily due to lower cash and cash equivalents and additional
debt resulting from paid-in-kind interest related to the Company’s
secured term credit facility (the “Facility”) and
draw under the CLF Promissory Note;
- adjusted net debt was up
period-over-period primarily due to lower cash and cash equivalents
and additional debt resulting from paid-in-kind interest related to
the Facility; and
- total equity was down
period-over-period primarily due to net loss recorded during the
period.
Itafos Conda Highlights
The Company is closely monitoring potential
risks to Itafos Conda’s employees, contractors and operations as a
result of COVID-19. Itafos Conda has been deemed an essential
business as part of the fertilizer and agriculture sector and
therefore has not been forced to shut down operations on account of
COVID-19. The Company is not currently projecting any material
impact on Itafos Conda’s operations as a result of COVID-19.
In response to COVID-19, the Company has
implemented and continued risk mitigation measures at Itafos Conda
to address potential impacts to its employees, contractors and
operations as follows:
- adopted temporary travel
restrictions;
- established a daily COVID-19
emergency operations center to track and respond in real-time to
regional and local developments;
- implemented measures to reduce on
site presence and interaction of staff;
- increased cleaning and disinfecting
measures;
- adopted new policies related to
sick leave and isolation in case of symptoms;
- established ongoing dialogue with
key business partners (customers, logistics providers, mining
contractor, health insurance provider) to continually monitor the
situation;
- requalified supervisors and staff
on applicable critical operations in the event of an outbreak;
and
- assessed business relief
options.
To date, there has been one confirmed case of
COVID-19 amongst employees and two confirmed cases amongst
contractors at Itafos Conda. Following such confirmed cases, Itafos
Conda implemented stringent quarantine and sanitation efforts to
isolate such incidents and prevent further spread.
For the three and six months ended June 30,
2020, Itafos Conda continued its strong track record of
environmental, health, and safety excellence with no environmental
releases and one recordable injury.
For the three months ended June 30, 2020, Itafos
Conda experienced lower MAP and APP production resulting from a
disruption in sulfuric acid from its primary supplier, while SPA
production remained largely consistent. Margins improved due to
lower input costs from improved mining rates and lower raw
materials costs, which were partially offset by lower realized
prices.
For the six months ended June 30, 2020, Itafos
Conda achieved higher SPA throughput from improved production
efficiencies and higher railcar availability, which resulted in
lower MAP and APP production. The lower MAP and APP production was
also impacted by a disruption in sulfuric acid from its primary
supplier. Itafos Conda also completed a second successful
production run of its new line of micronutrient enhanced products,
MAP+. Margins were largely consistent year-over-year as lower input
costs from improved mining rates and lower raw materials costs were
mostly offset by lower realized prices and higher depreciation and
depletion.
For the three and six months ended June 30,
2020, overall fertilizer market prices remained depressed,
particularly granular products, after a sharp decline since Q1 2019
due to lower consumption resulting from unusually wet weather
conditions in North America.
For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the
Company advanced activities related to extending Itafos Conda’s
mine life through permitting and development of H1/NDR, including
securing support from the Idaho legislature via House Joint
Memorial #11, which passed unanimously as well as numerous letters
of support from local and state officials and preparing and
submitting an updated Mine and Reclamation Plan to the BLM as part
of the NEPA permitting process.
For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the
Company advanced activities related to optimizing Itafos Conda’s
EBITDA generation capability, including completing the
micronutrient addition to granulation project to support its new
line of micronutrient enhanced products, advancing development of
MAP enhanced with zinc as an additional product in the new line of
micronutrient enhanced products and evaluating proposals received
for pilot testing and a FEED study related to AHF/PS by-product
recovery and a feasibility study related to on-site ammonia
production.
On July 10, 2020, the Company announced its
decision to conduct a reduced scope plant turnaround at Itafos
Conda during July 2020 as part of its risk mitigation measures
during the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 20, 2020, the Company
announced that Itafos Conda completed the reduced scope plant
turnaround with no environmental releases or recordable
injuries.
On August 20, 2020, the Company announced that
Itafos Conda has been experiencing a significant disruption in
sulfuric acid supply from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott mine. Itafos Conda
fulfills approximately 40% of its sulfuric acid requirements from
volumes produced internally and approximately 60% from a
combination of volumes received from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott mine
under a long-term supply agreement and volumes procured from other
third party suppliers. On August 18, 2020, Rio Tinto announced that
its Kennecott mine in Utah has experienced delays to the restart of
the smelter. According to Rio Tinto’s announcement, such delays to
the restart of the smelter are due to unexpected issues that
appeared following planned maintenance. Rio Tinto further announced
that they are working closely with their customers to limit any
disruptions and expect to have the smelter fully operational in two
months. The Company has been and will continue working to mitigate
potential adverse effects of the disruption in sulfuric acid supply
to Itafos Conda from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott mine.
On August 10, 2020, Itafos Conda closed the
Revolving Facility, which refinanced the Gavilon Facility. The
Revolving Facility considers a commitment to loan up to $20,000, of
which $10,000 was drawn at closing. The proceeds of the Revolving
Facility were initially used to repay the Gavilon Facility and
thereafter will be used for working capital and general purposes.
At closing, an additional 10,000 remained available to be drawn by
Itafos Conda subject to certain terms and conditions.
For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and
2019, Itafos Conda’s business highlights were as follows:
(unaudited in thousands of US Dollars |
|
For the three months ended June 30, |
|
|
For the six months ended June 30, |
|
except for volumes and prices) |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
2019 |
|
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
2019 |
|
Production volumes (t) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAP |
|
|
85,018 |
|
|
|
92,248 |
|
|
|
175,566 |
|
|
|
191,003 |
|
MAP+ |
|
|
1,538 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,813 |
|
|
|
— |
|
SPA |
|
|
37,173 |
|
|
|
36,998 |
|
|
|
77,438 |
|
|
|
72,531 |
|
MGA |
|
|
120 |
|
|
|
581 |
|
|
|
703 |
|
|
|
611 |
|
APP |
|
|
10,542 |
|
|
|
21,107 |
|
|
|
12,767 |
|
|
|
26,534 |
|
Total production volumes |
|
|
134,391 |
|
|
|
150,934 |
|
|
|
273,287 |
|
|
|
290,679 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales volumes (t) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAP |
|
|
70,812 |
|
|
|
121,886 |
|
|
|
178,584 |
|
|
|
198,763 |
|
MAP+ |
|
|
3,811 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,464 |
|
|
|
— |
|
SPA |
|
|
33,388 |
|
|
|
34,195 |
|
|
|
72,619 |
|
|
|
67,639 |
|
MGA |
|
|
190 |
|
|
|
1,231 |
|
|
|
703 |
|
|
|
1,261 |
|
APP |
|
|
11,967 |
|
|
|
18,900 |
|
|
|
13,614 |
|
|
|
21,348 |
|
Total sales volumes |
|
|
120,168 |
|
|
|
176,212 |
|
|
|
271,984 |
|
|
|
289,011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized price ($/t) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAP |
|
$ |
316 |
|
|
$ |
394 |
|
|
$ |
303 |
|
|
$ |
415 |
|
MAP+ |
|
$ |
360 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
362 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
SPA |
|
$ |
975 |
|
|
$ |
997 |
|
|
$ |
957 |
|
|
$ |
1,001 |
|
MGA |
|
$ |
1,026 |
|
|
$ |
555 |
|
|
$ |
967 |
|
|
$ |
565 |
|
APP |
|
$ |
456 |
|
|
$ |
472 |
|
|
$ |
456 |
|
|
$ |
472 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues ($) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAP |
|
$ |
22,364 |
|
|
$ |
48,067 |
|
|
$ |
54,196 |
|
|
$ |
82,553 |
|
MAP+ |
|
$ |
1,371 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
2,337 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
SPA |
|
$ |
32,558 |
|
|
$ |
34,082 |
|
|
$ |
69,464 |
|
|
$ |
67,715 |
|
MGA |
|
$ |
195 |
|
|
$ |
683 |
|
|
$ |
680 |
|
|
$ |
712 |
|
APP |
|
$ |
5,460 |
|
|
$ |
8,925 |
|
|
$ |
6,203 |
|
|
$ |
10,082 |
|
Total revenues |
|
$ |
61,948 |
|
|
$ |
91,757 |
|
|
$ |
132,880 |
|
|
$ |
161,062 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues per tonne P2O5 |
|
$ |
816 |
|
|
$ |
872 |
|
|
$ |
767 |
|
|
$ |
897 |
|
Cash costs per tonne P2O5 |
|
$ |
638 |
|
|
$ |
774 |
|
|
$ |
635 |
|
|
$ |
768 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
14,458 |
|
|
$ |
11,283 |
|
|
$ |
22,753 |
|
|
$ |
22,739 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maintenance capex |
|
$ |
1,582 |
|
|
$ |
11,272 |
|
|
$ |
3,501 |
|
|
$ |
13,845 |
|
Growth capex |
|
$ |
1,229 |
|
|
$ |
1,323 |
|
|
$ |
3,153 |
|
|
$ |
1,811 |
|
For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and
2019, Itafos Conda’s business highlights were explained as
follows:
- total production volumes were down
year-over-year primarily due to a disruption in sulfuric acid from
its primary supplier resulting in lower APP and MAP
production;
- total sales volumes were down
year-over-year primarily due to lower MAP sales, as Q2 2019 saw
substantially higher lifting compared to normal run-rates, with
lower APP also contributing;
- revenues per tonne P2O5 were down
year-over-year primarily due to significant and continued downward
pressure on DAP NOLA prices to which MAP sales prices are
linked;
- cash costs per tonne P2O5 were down
year-over-year primarily due to lower input costs from improved
mining rates and lower raw material costs;
- maintenance capex was down
year-over-year primarily due to the Company’s decision to conduct a
reduced scope plant turnaround at Itafos Conda during July 2020 as
part of its risk mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic;
and
- growth capex was largely consistent
year-over-year primarily due to activities related to extending
Itafos Conda’s mine life through permitting and development of
H1/NDR.
Itafos Arraias Highlights
The Company continues to monitor potential risks
to Itafos Arraias’ employees, contractors and operations as a
result of COVID-19. Itafos Arraias has been deemed an essential
business as part of the fertilizer and agriculture sector and
therefore has not been forced to shut down operations or care and
maintenance activities on account of COVID-19. The Company is not
currently projecting any material impact on Itafos Arraias’
operations or care and maintenance activities because of COVID-19.
Notwithstanding, the Company is improving the measures to mitigate
the risk of contractors and employees during the in-fill drilling
program expected to take place during H2 2020.
In response to COVID-19, the Company has
implemented and continued risk mitigation measures at Itafos
Arraias to address potential impacts to its employees, contractors
and operations as follows:
- adopted temporary travel
restrictions;
- temporarily closed the São Paulo
office and implemented measures to facilitate employees working
from home;
- cancelled all non-critical site
visits and implemented measures to safely continue critical
activities (e.g., tailings dam inspections);
- increased safety measures related
to screening site visitors;
- increased cleaning and disinfecting
measures;
- adopted new policies related to
sick leave and isolation in case of symptoms; and
- adopted the procedure to conduct
COVID-19 tests to all employees and contractors in a weekly basis
to ensure a safe and healthy environment during the in-fill
drilling program.
Currently, there are no confirmed cases of
COVID-19 amongst employees or contractors at Itafos Arraias.
For the three and six months ended June 30,
2020, Itafos Arraias continued its strong track record of
environmental, health, and safety excellence with no environmental
releases or recordable injuries.
On November 21, 2019, the Company announced its
decision to idle Itafos Arraias and suspend the previously
announced repurpose plan at Itafos Arraias as part of a disciplined
approach to capital allocation considering the continued downward
pressure on global fertilizer prices and the additional capital
requirements to complete the Repurpose Plan.
For the three and six months ended June 30,
2020, the Company safely completed and maintained the idling of
Itafos Arraias following best practices to protect and preserve the
value of the underlying assets. Following receipt of approval from
the labor union, the Company completed the employee layoffs and
contractor terminations at Itafos Arraias associated with the
idling. Notwithstanding the idling of Itafos Arraias, the Company
will continue to employ personnel that are necessary for the care
and maintenance of the assets and will continue to maintain all
licenses and permits in good standing and compliance with existing
regulations. In addition, the Company successfully monetized
inventory and raw materials at Itafos Arraias to partially offset
costs.
In parallel with its decision to idle Itafos Arraias, the
Company engaged the services of Golder Associates Inc.
(“Golder”) and Jesa Technologies LLC
(“Jesa”) to conduct third party reports on Itafos
Arraias’ mine and beneficiation plant, respectively. The third
party reports, which were completed in January 2020, confirm that
restarting Itafos Arraias’ mine and beneficiation plant is feasible
and outline the respective timing and capex requirements.
For the three months ended June 30, 2020,
the Company launched a stage-gate restart program for Itafos
Arraias. Each stage-gate must be cleared before progressing to the
next stage of the program, thereby limiting exposure, and managing
the risk. The first stage-gate is the development of a revised
geological model and long-term mine plan of the Domingos pit.
Accordingly, the Company designed a test work campaign aimed at the
metallurgical characterization of the Domingos ore as well as a
detailed in-fill drilling program. The revised long-term mine plan
will be developed to verify ability to deliver constant ore grade
to the beneficiation process, while the beneficiation plant process
design will be revised to match the geometallurgical
characterization of the ore. As part of this stage-gate, the
Company engaged Jesa in June 2020 to conduct the metallurgical test
work that will form the basis of the revised beneficiation process.
The metallurgical test work being conducted by Jesa is expected to
be completed in approximately nine-months.
In February 2020, Itafos Arraias secured important long-term tax
incentives. As Itafos Arraias is domiciled in Brazil, the business
is subject to a federal tax rate of 34%, composed of a federal
corporate income tax of 25% and other taxes of 9%. The location of
Itafos Arraias’ assets makes it eligible to participate in a
regional development program administered by the Superintendência
do Desenvolvimento da Amazônia (“SUDAM”). Created
in 1966 to promote development of the Amazon region in Brazil,
SUDAM offers tax incentives that allow eligible companies to reduce
the federal tax rate of 34% to 15.25% by means of a 75% discount to
the federal corporate income tax of 25%. In February 2020, SUDAM
accepted Itafos Arraias’ application, granting Itafos Arraias the
tax incentives for a period of ten years with an opportunity to
extend thereafter.
For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and
2019, Itafos Arraias’ business highlights were as follows:
(unaudited in thousands of US Dollars |
|
For the three months ended June 30, |
|
|
For the six months ended June 30, |
|
except for volumes and prices) |
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
Production volumes (t) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SSP |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19,948 |
|
|
|
3,879 |
|
|
|
26,511 |
|
SSP+ |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
32,055 |
|
|
|
1,113 |
|
|
|
40,646 |
|
PK compounds |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total production volumes |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
52,003 |
|
|
|
4,992 |
|
|
|
67,157 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excess sulfuric acid production volumes (t) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10,600 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19,394 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales volumes (t) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SSP |
|
|
1,886 |
|
|
|
14,917 |
|
|
|
27,315 |
|
|
|
22,050 |
|
SSP+ |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
27,310 |
|
|
|
2,459 |
|
|
|
33,213 |
|
PK compounds |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total sales volumes |
|
|
1,886 |
|
|
|
42,227 |
|
|
|
29,774 |
|
|
|
55,263 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excess sulfuric acid sales volumes (t) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10,600 |
|
|
|
5,213 |
|
|
|
19,394 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized price ($/t) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SSP |
|
$ |
86 |
|
|
$ |
220 |
|
|
$ |
134 |
|
|
$ |
202 |
|
SSP+ |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
250 |
|
|
$ |
184 |
|
|
$ |
246 |
|
PK compounds |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Excess sulfuric acid |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
113 |
|
|
$ |
90 |
|
|
$ |
131 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues ($) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SSP, net |
|
$ |
163 |
|
|
$ |
3,290 |
|
|
$ |
3,671 |
|
|
$ |
4,464 |
|
SSP+, net |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
6,825 |
|
|
$ |
453 |
|
|
$ |
8,176 |
|
PK compounds |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Total revenues |
|
$ |
163 |
|
|
$ |
10,115 |
|
|
$ |
4,124 |
|
|
$ |
12,640 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excess sulfuric acid revenues ($) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,200 |
|
|
$ |
468 |
|
|
$ |
2,548 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues per tonne P2O5 |
|
$ |
508 |
|
|
$ |
1,379 |
|
|
$ |
919 |
|
|
$ |
1,324 |
|
Cash costs per tonne P2O5 |
|
$ |
2,240 |
|
|
$ |
1,654 |
|
|
$ |
2,163 |
|
|
$ |
2,532 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
(1,078 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,965 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,601 |
) |
|
$ |
(15,382 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maintenance capex |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
567 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
3,169 |
|
Growth capex |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
416 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,003 |
|
For the three and six months ended June 30,
2020, and 2019, Itafos Arraias’ business highlights were as
follows:
- total production and sales volumes
were down year-over-year due to the idling of Itafos Arraias;
- overall realized prices were down
year-over-year primarily due to significant and continued downward
pressure on fertilizer prices and implementation of an aggressive
program to monetize remaining inventory and raw materials to
partially offset costs;
- adjusted EBITDA was up
year-over-year primarily due to the lower level of activities
associated with the idling of Itafos Arraias and implementation of
aggressive corporate wide cost savings and deferral of spending
initiatives; and
- total capex was down year-over-year
primarily due to the idling of Itafos Arraias.
Financial Outlook
The Company is closely monitoring potential
risks to its operations as a result of COVID-19, including factors
that could impact production or demand for its products. Despite
near-term uncertainties, the Company is not currently projecting
any material impact on its operations or financial outlook as a
result of COVID-19. In response to COVID-19, the Company has
implemented working practices at its businesses and projects to
address potential impacts to its employees, contractors and
operations and will take further measures in the future, if
required.
The Company provides guidance on certain
non-IFRS measures that management considers to evaluate the
Company’s operational and financial performance. Management
believes that the non-IFRS measures provide useful supplemental
information to investors, analysts, lenders and others.
The Company has revised its original guidance
for 2020 as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
revised |
|
|
|
|
|
original |
|
(in thousands of US Dollars) |
|
Low |
|
|
High |
|
|
Low |
|
|
High |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
Maintenance capex |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Growth capex |
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
13,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
Adjusted net debt |
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
The Company’s revised guidance is explained as
follows:
- maintained adjusted EBITDA guidance
due to increased pricing projections offset by sulfuric acid supply
disruption at Itafos Conda;
- reduced maintenance capex guidance
due to the Company’s decision to conduct a reduced scope plant
turnaround at Itafos Conda during July 2020;
- increased growth capex guidance due
to advancement of EBITDA optimization initiatives at Itafos Conda
and the stage-gate restart program at Itafos Arraias; and
- maintained adjusted net debt
guidance.
Business Outlook
The Company is executing its strategy by
focusing on:
- extending Itafos Conda’s current
mine life through advancing permitting and development of
H1/NDR;
- optimizing Itafos Conda’s EBITDA
generation capability;
- advancing the stage-gate restart
program and evaluating strategic alternatives for Itafos
Arraias;
- advancing project financing,
related permitting and offtake initiatives as well as evaluating
strategic alternatives for Itafos Farim;
- advancing the wind down of the
Itafos Paris Hills concession following completion of the Itafos
Conda Technical Report, which defined H1/NDR as the Company’s path
forward for mine life extension at Itafos Conda;
- maintaining the integrity of the
concessions and evaluating strategic alternatives for Itafos
Santana, Itafos Mantaro and Itafos Araxá;
- advancing aggressive corporate-wide
cost savings and deferral of spending initiatives; and
- advancing capital raising
initiatives to support the Company’s strategic initiatives and
development objectives.
About Itafos
The Company is a pure play phosphate and
specialty fertilizer platform with an attractive portfolio of
strategic businesses and projects located in key fertilizer
markets, including North America, South America and Africa.
The Company’s businesses and projects are as
follows:
- Itafos Conda – a vertically
integrated phosphate mine and fertilizer business with production
and sales capacity of approximately 550kt per year of monoammonium
phosphate (“MAP”), MAP with micronutrients
(“MAP+”), superphosphoric acid
(“SPA”), merchant grade phosphoric acid
(“MGA”) and ammonium polyphosphate
(“APP”) located in Idaho, US;
- Itafos Arraias – a vertically
integrated phosphate mine and fertilizer business with production
and sales capacity of approximately 500kt per year of single
superphosphate (“SSP”), SSP with micronutrients
(“SSP+”) and approximately 40kt per year of excess
sulfuric acid located in Tocantins, Brazil;
- Itafos Farim – a high-grade
phosphate mine project located in Farim, Guinea-Bissau;
- Itafos Paris Hills – a high-grade
phosphate mine project located in Idaho, US;
- Itafos Santana – a vertically
integrated high-grade phosphate mine and fertilizer plant project
located in Pará, Brazil;
- Itafos Mantaro – a phosphate mine
project located in Junin, Peru; and
- Itafos Araxá – a vertically
integrated rare earth elements and niobium mine and extraction
plant project located in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
For more information, or to join the Company’s
mailing list to receive notification of future news releases,
please visit the Company’s website at www.itafos.com.
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
The Company considers both IFRS and certain
non-IFRS measures to assess performance. Non-IFRS measures are a
numerical measure of a company’s performance, that either include
or exclude amounts that are not normally included or excluded from
the most directly comparable IFRS measures. In evaluating non-IFRS
measures, investors, analysts, lenders and others should consider
that non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning under
IFRS and that the methodology applied by the Company in calculating
such non-IFRS measures may differ among companies and analysts. The
Company believes the non-IFRS measures provide useful supplemental
information to investors, analysts, lenders and others in order to
evaluate the Company’s operational and financial performance. These
non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered as a
substitute for, nor superior to, measures of financial performance
prepared in accordance with IFRS.
The Company define its non-IFRS measures as
follows:
- “EBITDA” as
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and
amortization;
- “Adjusted EBITDA”
as EBITDA adjusted for non-cash, extraordinary, non-recurring and
other items unrelated to the Company’s core operating
activities;
- “Total capex” as
additions to property, plant and equipment and mineral properties
adjusted for additions to asset retirement obligations, additions
to right of use assets and capitalized interest;
- “Maintenance
capex” as that portion of total capex relating to
maintenance of ongoing operations of the Company;
- “Growth capex” as
that portion of total capex relating to development of growth
opportunities of the Company;
- “Net debt” as debt
less cash and cash equivalents plus deferred financing costs;
- “Related party
debt” as the Company’s portion of debt held by a related
party;
- “Adjusted net
debt” as net debt adjusted for related party debt;
- “Realized price”
as revenues divided by sales volumes;
- “Revenues per tonne
P2O5” as revenues divided by sales volumes presented on
P2O5 basis;
- “Cash costs” as
cost of goods sold less net realizable value adjustments,
depreciation, depletion and amortization; and
- “Cash cost per tonne
P2O5” as cash costs divided by sales volumes presented on
P2O5 basis.
Forward Looking Information
Certain information contained in this news
release constitutes forward looking information. All information
other than information of historical fact is forward looking
information. The use of any of the words “intend”, “anticipate”,
“plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”,
“should”, “would”, “believe”, “predict” and “potential” and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward looking information.
This information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ
materially from those anticipated in such forward looking
information. No assurance can be given that this information will
prove to be correct and such forward looking information included
in this news release should not be unduly relied upon.
Forward looking information is subject to a
number of risks and other factors that could cause actual results
and events to vary materially from that anticipated by such forward
looking information. Although the Company 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. Factors that may cause actual
results to differ materially from expected results described in
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those
risk factors set out in the Company’s management discussion and
analysis and other disclosure documents available under the
Company’s profile at www.sedar.com and on the Company’s
website at www.itafos.com. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing
list of risks, uncertainties and assumptions are not exhaustive.
The forward-looking information included in this news release is
expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and is made as of
the date of this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information except
as required by applicable securities laws.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS
REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE
POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.
For further information, please
contact:
Itafos Investor
Relationsinvestor@itafos.comwww.itafos.com
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