NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sherritt International Corporation (“Sherritt”, the “Corporation”) (TSX: S), a world leader in using hydrometallurgical processes to mine and refine nickel and cobalt – metals deemed critical for the energy transition – today reported its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.
Leon Binedell, President and CEO of Sherritt commented, “We are encouraged by the strong operational turnaround and improved performance delivered by both our Metals and Power businesses in line with our plans developed last year in response to the market decline and operational challenges experienced. At Metals, nickel, cobalt and fertilizer production benefitted from improved operating reliability and increased mixed sulphides availability as we begin to see the positive impacts of the slurry preparation plant commissioned earlier this year. Notably, our net direct cash cost of US$5.75 per pound was a significant improvement and with our continued focus on operating stability, margin improvement and cash generation, we see the potential to realize further cost improvements ahead. At Power, we continue to achieve increased production and improved utilization. We are pleased to announce an additional well is scheduled to be drilled this year which will increase our output further. The additional supply of gas in Power has resulted in a materially higher dividend of $5.1 million received in Canada this quarter and we expect to continue receiving higher dividends going forward.”
Mr. Binedell continued, “With nickel and cobalt both facing headwinds and prices considered at or near the bottom, our lower operating costs and the advancements in operational improvements we have made, place us in a strong position to weather these near-term market uncertainties unlike many non-Chinese linked suppliers which have already announced their exit from the market. Once these near-term market uncertainties abate, we will ultimately capitalize on the future growth opportunities ahead with strong demand expected over the medium-term for the responsibly sourced critical minerals we produce.”
SECOND QUARTER 2024 SELECTED DEVELOPMENTS
(1)
(2)
(3)
Refer to the risks related to Sherritt’s corporate structure in the Corporation’s 2023 Annual Information Form for further information on risks related to dividends in Canada from Energas.
(4)
DEVELOPMENTS SUBSEQUENT TO THE QUARTER
Subsequent to the quarter end:
Q2 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For the three months ended
For the six months ended
2024
2023
$ millions, except per share amount
June 30
Change
Revenue
$
51.4
93.5
(45%)
80.2
152.1
(47%)
Combined revenue (1)
163.2
197.0
(17%)
290.9
384.4
(24%)
(Loss) earnings from operations and joint venture
(1.9)
2.2
(186%)
(24.3)
23.8
(202%)
Net (loss) earnings from continuing operations
(11.5)
0.3
nm (2)
(52.4)
13.9
(477%)
Net (loss) earnings for the period
nm
(52.0)
13.6
(482%)
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
13.0
14.2
(8%)
6.5
55.4
(88%)
Adjusted net (loss) earnings from continuing operations (1)
(10.0)
(2.5)
(300%)
(34.6)
11.3
(406%)
Net (loss) earnings from continuing operations ($ per share)
(0.03)
0.00
(0.13)
0.03
(533%)
Adjusted net (loss) earnings from continuing operations
($ per share) (1)
(0.01)
(200%)
(0.08)
0.02
(500%)
Cash (used) provided by continuing operations for operating activities
(37.8)
32.0
(218%)
(24.8)
41.9
(159%)
Combined free cash flow (1)
(27.0)
5.6
(582%)
(11.2)
34.9
(132%)
Average exchange rate (CAD/US$)
1.368
1.343
2%
1.359
1.348
1%
$ millions, as at
December 31
Cash and cash equivalents
Canada
25.5
21.5
19%
Cuba (1)
105.4
96.3
9%
Other
1.4
1.3
8%
132.3
119.1
11%
Loans and borrowings
369.9
355.6
4%
The Corporation's share of cash and cash equivalents in the Moa Joint Venture, not included in the above balances:
8.5
5.9
44%
Cash and cash equivalents as at June 30, 2024 were $132.3 million, decreasing from $144.4 million as at March 31, 2024.
As at June 30, 2024, total available liquidity in Canada, which is composed of cash and cash equivalents in Canada of $25.5 million and available credit facilities of $30.4 million was $55.9 million decreasing from $67.9 million as at March 31, 2024 as expected. Available liquidity in Canada during the quarter was supported by $27.0 million received from the Moa JV as full repayment of short-term working capital advances, and $5.1 million of dividends from Energas received in Canada. These receipts were primarily offset by $7.8 million used for operating activities at Power primarily to support scheduled maintenance activities, a $9.4 million interest payment on Second Lien Notes and a $10.8 million payment on rehabilitation and closure costs related to legacy Oil and Gas assets in Spain. The receipt of the Moa JV advance repayment is reflected in cash provided by investing activities.
Moa JV’s cash and cobalt distributions to the Corporation are determined based on available cash in excess of liquidity requirements. Determinants of liquidity include anticipated nickel and cobalt prices, planned spending on capital at the Moa JV including growth capital, working capital needs, expected financing and other expected liquidity requirements. Available cash is also impacted by changes in working capital primarily related to changes in inventory, and timing of receipts and payments, including receipts on nickel and cobalt sales subsequent to shipment. Based on the midpoint of the Moa JV’s 2024 guidance ranges for production volumes, unit operating costs (1) and spending on capital (1) disclosed in the Outlook section of the MD&A, and the first half 2024 nickel and cobalt average reference prices of US$8.00/lb and US$13.50/lb, respectively, Sherritt expects to receive approximately $50.0 million in Cobalt Swap distributions (including both Sherritt’s share and GNC’s redirected share). As defined by the agreement, any short fall in the annual minimum payment amount will be added to the following year. With the full repayment of the short-term working capital advances to the Moa JV received in the second quarter of 2024, Sherritt expects the joint venture will commence dividends pursuant to the Cobalt Swap during the fourth quarter of 2024. Refer to the risks related to Sherritt’s corporate structure in the Corporation’s 2023 Annual Information Form for further information on risks related to distributions from the Moa JV.
In Power, based on 2024 guidance estimates for production volumes, unit operating costs (1) and spending on capital (1) disclosed in the Outlook section of the MD&A, Sherritt expects total dividends in Canada from Energas to exceed $10.0 million in 2024. Refer to the risks related to Sherritt’s corporate structure in the Corporation’s 2023 Annual Information Form for further information on risks related to dividends in Canada from Energas.
During the quarter, Sherritt purchased put options on 3,876 tonnes of nickel, or 646 tonnes per month, at an exercise price of US$8.16/lb at a cost of $2.2 million for a six-month period starting from June 1, 2024. Any settlements will be paid in cash monthly based on the average monthly nickel price on the LME. The economic hedging strategy provides Sherritt with full exposure to upward changes in nickel prices, while protecting against downward changes in nickel prices by providing a minimum price of US$8.16/lb on approximately 25% of expected nickel production from the Moa JV during the six-month period. In July, Sherritt received $0.4 million upon settlement of the June 2024 in-the-money put option.
Sherritt’s syndicated revolving-term credit facility was amended to extend its maturity by one year from April 30, 2025 to April 30, 2026 and change the EBITDA-to-Interest Expense covenant as defined in the agreement. The amendment included terms to transition the interest rate of bankers’ acceptance plus 4.00% to CORRA plus 4.00%. There were no other significant changes to the terms, financial covenants or restrictions.
At the Second Lien Note interest payment date in April 2024, the Corporation was not required to make a mandatory redemption of Second Lien Notes as it did not have Excess Cash Flow as defined in the Second Lien Notes indenture agreement for the two-quarter period ended December 31, 2023. Additionally, for the two-quarter period ended June 30, 2024, the Corporation did not have Excess Cash Flow as defined in the Second Lien Notes indenture agreement and, therefore, will not be required to make a mandatory redemption with its October 2024 interest payment.
As at June 30, 2024, the Corporation was in compliance with all its debt covenants.
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
Metals
$ millions (Sherritt's share), except as otherwise noted
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (1)
150.6
185.6
(19%)
265.7
362.1
(27%)
Cost of sales
144.5
182.2
(21%)
275.6
326.7
(16%)
(Loss) earnings from operations
2.7
3.8
(29%)
(18.3)
34.8
(153%)
Adjusted EBITDA (2)
18.0
18.6
(3%)
10.5
63.1
(83%)
CASH FLOW (1)
Cash provided by continuing operations for operating activities (2)
21.2
38.8
52.4
101.8
(49%)
Free cash flow (2)
13.5
22.7
(41%)
35.2
76.1
(54%)
PRODUCTION VOLUMES (tonnes)
Mixed Sulphides
4,095
3,783
8,147
7,533
Finished Nickel
3,383
3,268
6,980
6,751
3%
Finished Cobalt
342
331
684
698
(2%)
Fertilizer
60,355
52,224
16%
117,419
110,215
7%
NICKEL RECOVERY (3) (%)
88%
85%
87%
SALES VOLUMES (tonnes)
3,791
3,188
7,814
6,532
20%
390
1,064
(63%)
752
1,795
(58%)
60,682
63,384
(4%)
84,591
93,263
(9%)
AVERAGE-REFERENCE PRICE (4) (US$ per pound)
Nickel
8.35
10.12
7.94
10.94
Cobalt
13.34
15.27
(13%)
13.59
16.46
AVERAGE-REALIZED PRICE (2) (CAD)
Nickel ($ per pound)
11.25
13.58
10.55
15.06
(30%)
Cobalt ($ per pound)
14.32
16.36
(12%)
14.41
17.48
(18%)
Fertilizer ($ per tonne)
574.70
709.67
528.73
663.94
(20%)
UNIT OPERATING COST (2) (US$)
Nickel - net direct cash cost (US$ per pound)
5.75
7.22
6.50
6.88
(6%)
SPENDING ON CAPITAL (2) (CAD)
Sustaining
7.4
(46%)
14.8
19.5
Growth
0.4
2.5
(84%)
2.4
6.2
(61%)
7.8
16.1
(52%)
17.2
25.7
(33%)
Metals revenue in Q2 2024 was $150.6 million compared to $185.6 million in Q2 2023. Revenue in the current year period was lower primarily due to lower average-realized prices (1) for nickel, cobalt and fertilizer and the timing of receipts and sales of cobalt by Sherritt under the Cobalt Swap agreement, partly offset by higher nickel sales volumes. In Q2 2024 the average-realized prices (1) for nickel, cobalt and fertilizers were $11.25/lb, $14.32/lb and $574.70/tonne, 17%, 12% and 19% lower, respectively, compared to the same period in the prior year.
Nickel revenue in Q2 2024 was $94.0 million compared to $95.5 million in Q2 2023. Finished nickel sales volumes in Q2 2024 were 19% higher than Q2 2023 and exceeded production volumes as Metals continued reducing its inventory with strong spot sales which are expected to continue in the second half of the year, driving progress on reducing nickel inventory.
Cobalt revenue in Q2 2024 was $12.3 million compared to $38.4 million in Q2 2023. Lower revenue was primarily due to the timing of receipts and sales of cobalt under the Cobalt Swap and lower average-realized prices (1) . For more information regarding the timing of Cobalt Swap distributions in 2024, refer to the Cobalt Swap sales section below.
Fertilizer revenue in Q2 2024 was $34.8 million compared to $45.0 million in Q2 2023. In addition to lower average-realized prices (1) , sales volumes for Q2 2024 were 4% lower compared to Q2 2023.
Cobalt Swap sales
For 2024, Cobalt Swap distributions are anticipated to start in the fourth quarter of the year whereas in 2023, Sherritt had received 100% of the annual maximum amount of cobalt (2,082 tonnes) and had sold approximately 85% of that cobalt by the end the first half of the year.
While the timing of receipts and sales of cobalt under the Cobalt Swap results in variances in cobalt sales volumes, revenue and cost of sales for Sherritt, they do not have a material impact on earnings from operations, average-realized prices (1) , cobalt by-product credits, or NDCC (1) as the variance in revenue and costs of Sherritt’s share of cobalt under the Cobalt Swap is offset by Sherritt’s share of revenue and costs of the Moa JV and the cost of cobalt sold on volumes of cobalt redirected from GNC (2) is determined based on the in-kind value of cobalt calculated as the cobalt reference price from the month preceding distribution less a mutually agreed selling cost adjustment.
Moa JV’s cash and cobalt distributions to the Corporation are determined based on available cash in excess of liquidity requirements. Determinants of liquidity include anticipated nickel and cobalt prices, planned spending on capital at the Moa JV including growth capital, working capital needs, expected financing and other expected liquidity requirements. Available cash is also impacted by changes in working capital primarily related to changes in inventory, and timing of receipts and payments, including receipts on nickel and cobalt sales subsequent to shipment. Based on the midpoint of the Moa JV’s 2024 guidance ranges for production volumes, unit operating costs (1) and spending on capital (1) disclosed in the Outlook section of the MD&A, and the first half 2024 nickel and cobalt average reference prices of US$8.00/lb and US$13.50/lb, respectively, Sherritt expects to receive approximately $50 million in Cobalt Swap distributions (including both Sherritt’s share and GNC’s redirected share). As defined by the agreement, any short fall in the annual minimum payment amount will be added to the following year. With the full repayment of the short-term working capital advances to the Moa JV received in the second quarter of 2024, Sherritt expects the joint venture will commence dividends pursuant to the Cobalt Swap during the fourth quarter of 2024. Refer to the risks related to Sherritt’s corporate structure in the Corporation’s 2023 Annual Information Form for further information on risks related to distributions from the Moa JV.
Production
Mixed sulphides production at the Moa JV in Q2 2024 was 4,095 tonnes, up 8% from the Q2 2023 primarily due to lower unplanned maintenance and improved ore quality being fed to the processing plant following the completion of the new Slurry Preparation Plant (“SPP”) in Q1 2024.
During the second quarter of 2024, the annual refinery maintenance shutdown occurred and has been factored into the Corporation’s 2024 guidance with higher production expected in the second half of the year. The planned annual maintenance shutdown also took place during the second quarter in 2023.
Sherritt’s share of finished nickel and cobalt production in Q2 2024 was 3,383 tonnes and 342 tonnes, each 4% and 3% higher, respectively, than Q2 2023, primarily as a result of improved mixed sulphides availability.
Fertilizer production in Q2 2024 of 60,355 tonnes was 16% higher compared to Q2 2023 in line with higher nickel production, implementation of operational improvements, and due to the unplanned ammonia plant maintenance that occurred in the prior year period.
NDCC (1)
NDCC (1) per pound of nickel sold was US$5.75/lb in Q2 2024 compared to US$7.22/in Q2 2023. NDCC (1) significantly improved as expected, primarily as a result of lower MPR/lb and lower third-party feed costs partly offset by lower cobalt and net fertilizer by-product credits (3) . MPR/lb was 15% lower in Q2 2024 compared to Q2 2023 primarily due to lower sulphur and natural gas prices, lower purchased sulphuric acid, lower maintenance costs and the impact of higher nickel production and sales volumes. In Q2 2024 lower average-realized prices (1) and sales volumes for cobalt and fertilizers resulted in lower by-product credits.
Compared to Q1 2024, NDCC (1) continued to improve as expected decreasing by 21%. Sherritt maintains its 2024 guidance range for NDCC (1) at US$5.50 to US$6.00/lb.
Spending on capital (1)
Sustaining spending on capital in Q2 2024 was $7.4 million compared to $13.6 million in Q2 2023. Sustaining spending on capital is lower as a result of timing of spending and consistent with lower annual guidance.
With the SPP completed and operating during Q1, growth spending on capital in Q2 2024 of $0.4 million was primarily related to spending on the second phase of the Moa JV expansion program.
Expansion program and strategic developments
Moa JV expansion program update
Phase two of the Moa JV’s expansion program, the Processing Plant, is continuing to advance. During the second quarter of 2024 civil construction and structural erection was completed and piping installation commenced.
Subsequent to the end of the second quarter of 2024, the Moa JV received approval for US$12 million of foreign currency financing from a Cuban bank to support international payments related to construction of the Sixth Leach Train, the primary component of phase two of the expansion project.
Phase two commissioning and ramp up remains scheduled for 2025 with Sherritt expecting to commence the ramp up during the first half of the year. With completion of phase two, annual mixed sulphide precipitate production is expected to further increase toward the combined expansion target, including the new SPP, of approximately 20% of contained nickel and cobalt and is expected to fill the refinery to nameplate capacity to maximize profitability from the joint venture’s own mine feed, displacing lower margin third-party feeds and increasing overall finished nickel and cobalt production.
Strategic developments
Sherritt, through its MHP Project, is advancing a flowsheet to produce high-purity nickel and cobalt sulphates and reduce sodium sulphate effluent, a key environmental challenge for the downstream industry. The MHP Project provides a strategic opportunity to expand Sherritt’s current business into the production of nickel and cobalt sulphates, a key intermediary product required in the electric vehicle battery supply chain, where a current significant gap exists in North America. Sherritt’s technical expertise and innovative processing solutions are key differentiators and enablers towards the Corporation’s near-term strategic focus to expand its midstream processing capacity of critical minerals to fill this gap in North America in line with governments’ objectives and incentives.
During the quarter, Sherritt commenced an engineering study and continued batch test work and process flowsheet development, which yielded very positive results for metal recoveries and impurity removals. A small scale continuous solvent extraction (“SX”) pilot is planned for H2 2024 and process development work is expected to be completed by year end. Sherritt also continued its external engagement with governments and potential customers and funding partners, with a goal to reach agreement on key commercial and project parameters, including site identification, by year end.
Power
$ millions (33 ⅓% basis), except as otherwise noted
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
11.8
10.9
12%
9.3
43%
13.3
9.9
34%
Earnings from operations
1.2
3.3
(64%)
8.3
9.2
(10%)
1.8
4.0
(55%)
9.4
10.4
CASH FLOW
Cash (used) provided by continuing operations for operating activities (1)
(7.8)
2.3
(439%)
1.9
6.7
(72%)
Free cash flow (1)
(9.3)
1.7
(647%)
(2.2)
5.4
(141%)
PRODUCTION AND SALES
Electricity (GWh (2) )
205
172
415
330
26%
AVERAGE-REALIZED PRICE (1)
Electricity ($/MWh (2) )
52.00
57.25
51.62
57.77
(11%)
UNIT OPERATING COSTS (1)
Electricity ($/MWh)
42.74
34.13
25%
29.81
27.08
10%
SPENDING ON CAPITAL (1)
1.5
0.6
150%
4.1
215%
Revenue in Q2 2024 was $11.8 million, up 8% compared to Q2 2023, primarily due to higher production. The increase in electricity production is a result of additional gas from two wells that went into production at the end of Q2 2023.
As a key partner in supporting the Cuban government's plans to increase power production, Sherritt continues to work with its Cuban partners to increase gas supply and an additional well is scheduled to be drilled in the third quarter which is expected to provide additional electricity production in the second half of the year.
Unit operating costs (1) in Q2 2024 were $42.74/MWh compared to $34.13/MWh in Q2 2023 primarily driven by the timing of scheduled maintenance activities which were completed in Q2 2024, partly offset by higher sales volumes.
Spending on capital (1) in Q2 2023 was $1.5 million primarily driven by maintenance activities.
Sherritt received $5.1 million of dividends in Canada from Energas during the quarter. Based on 2024 guidance estimates for production volumes, unit operating costs (1) and spending on capital (1) disclosed in the Outlook section of the MD&A, Sherritt expects total dividends in Canada from Energas to exceed $10.0 million in 2024. Refer to the risks related to Sherritt’s corporate structure in the Corporation’s 2023 Annual Information Form for further information on risks related to dividends in Canada from Energas.
OUTLOOK
2024 guidance for production volumes, unit operating costs and spending on capital remains unchanged.
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
Sherritt will hold its conference call and webcast July 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review its second quarter 2024 results. Dial-in and webcast details are as follows:
North American callers, please dial:
1 (800) 717-1738 Passcode: 88402
International callers, please dial:
1 (289) 514-5100 Passcode: 88402
Live webcast:
www.sherritt.com
Please dial in 15 minutes before the start of the call to secure a line. Alternatively, listeners can access the conference call and presentation via the webcast available on Sherritt’s website.
An archive of the webcast and replay of the conference call will also be available on the website.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (“MD&A”)
Sherritt’s condensed consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 are available at www.sherritt.com or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . and should be read in conjunction with this news release. Financial and operating data can also be viewed in the investor relations section of Sherritt’s website.
NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES
Management uses the following non-GAAP and other financial measures in this press release and other documents: combined revenue, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”), average-realized price, unit operating cost/net direct cash cost (NDCC), adjusted net earnings/loss from continuing operations, adjusted net earnings/loss from continuing operations per share, spending on capital, combined cash provided (used) by continuing operations for operating activities and combined free cash flow.
Management uses these measures to monitor the financial performance of the Corporation and its operating divisions and believes these measures enable investors and analysts to compare the Corporation’s financial performance with its competitors and/or evaluate the results of its underlying business. These measures are intended to provide additional information, not to replace International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) measures, and do not have a standard definition under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. As these measures do not have a standardized meaning, they may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other companies.
The non-GAAP and other financial measures are reconciled to their most directly comparable IFRS measures in the Appendix below.
ABOUT SHERRITT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Sherritt is a world leader in using hydrometallurgical processes to mine and refine nickel and cobalt – metals deemed critical for the energy transition. Sherritt’s Moa Joint Venture has a current estimated mine life of 25 years and has embarked on an expansion program focused on increasing annual mixed sulphide precipitate production by approximately 20% of contained nickel and cobalt. The Corporation’s Power division, through its ownership in Energas S.A., is the largest independent energy producer in Cuba with installed electrical generating capacity of 506 MW, representing approximately 10% of the national electrical generating capacity in Cuba. The Energas facilities are comprised of two combined cycle plants that produce low-cost electricity from one of the lowest carbon emitting sources of power in Cuba. Sherritt’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “S”.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of statements that include such words as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “forecast”, “likely”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “suspect”, “outlook”, “potential”, “projected”, “continue” or other similar words or phrases. Specifically, forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, statements regarding strategies, plans and estimated production amounts resulting from expansion of mining operations at the Moa Joint Venture; growing and increasing nickel and cobalt production; the Moa Joint Venture expansion program update as it relates to the Processing Plant; statements set out in the “Outlook” section of this press release; certain expectations regarding production volumes and increases, inventory levels, operating costs, capital spending and intensity; sales volumes; revenue, costs and earnings; the availability of additional gas supplies to be used for power generation; the amount and timing of dividend distributions from the Moa JV, including in the form of finished cobalt or cash under the Cobalt Swap; sales of finished cobalt and associated receipts related to cobalt received pursuant to the Cobalt Swap; the amount and timing of dividend distributions from Energas; growing shareholder value; expected annualized employee and other Corporate office-related cost savings; sufficiency of working capital management and capital project funding; strengthening the Corporation’s capital structure and amounts of certain other commitments.
Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations, assumptions and projections about future events, including commodity and product prices and demand; the level of liquidity and access to funding; share price volatility;; nickel, cobalt and fertilizer production results and realized prices; current and future demand products produced by Sherritt; global demand for electric vehicles and the anticipated corresponding demand for cobalt and nickel; revenues and net operating results; environmental risks and liabilities; compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations; advancements in environmental and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction technology; GHG emissions reduction goals and the anticipated timing of achieving such goals, if at all; statistics and metrics relating to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters which are based on assumptions or developing standards; environmental rehabilitation provisions; risks related to the U.S. government policy toward Cuba; current and future economic conditions in Cuba; the level of liquidity and access to funding; Sherritt share price volatility; and certain corporate objectives, goals and plans for 2024. By their nature, forward-looking statements require the Corporation to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections will not prove to be accurate, that the assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections.
The Corporation cautions readers of this press release not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, commodity risks related to the production and sale of nickel cobalt and fertilizers; security market fluctuations and price volatility; level of liquidity of Sherritt, including access to capital and financing; the ability of the Moa Joint Venture to pay dividends; the risk to Sherritt’s entitlements to future distributions (including pursuant to the Cobalt Swap) from the Moa JV; risks related to Sherritt’s operations in Cuba; risks related to the U.S. government policy toward Cuba, including the U.S. embargo on Cuba and the Helms-Burton legislation; political, economic and other risks of foreign operations, including the impact of geopolitical events on global prices for nickel, cobalt, fertilizers, or certain other commodities; uncertainty in the ability of the Corporation to enforce legal rights in foreign jurisdictions; uncertainty regarding the interpretation and/or application of the applicable laws in foreign jurisdictions; risk of future non-compliance with debt restrictions and covenants; risks related to environmental liabilities including liability for reclamation costs, tailings facility failures and toxic gas releases; compliance with applicable environment, health and safety legislation and other associated matters; risks associated with governmental regulations regarding climate change and greenhouse gas emissions; risks relating to community relations; maintaining social license to grow and operate; uncertainty about the pace of technological advancements required in relation to achieving ESG targets; risks to information technologies systems and cybersecurity; identification and management of growth opportunities; the ability to replace depleted mineral reserves; risks associated with the Corporation’s joint venture partners; variability in production at Sherritt’s operations in Cuba; risks associated with mining, processing and refining activities; risks associated with the operation of large projects generally; risks related to the accuracy of capital and operating cost estimates; the possibility of equipment and other failures; potential interruptions in transportation; uncertainty of gas supply for electrical generation; reliance on key personnel and skilled workers; growth opportunity risks; uncertainty of resources and reserve estimates; the potential for shortages of equipment and supplies, including diesel; supplies quality issues; risks related to the Corporation’s corporate structure; foreign exchange and pricing risks; credit risks; competition in product markets; future market access; interest rate changes; risks in obtaining insurance; uncertainties in labour relations; legal contingencies; risks related to the Corporation’s accounting policies; uncertainty in the ability of the Corporation to obtain government permits; failure to comply with, or changes to, applicable government regulations; bribery and corruption risks, including failure to comply with the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act or applicable local anti-corruption law; the ability to accomplish corporate objectives, goals and plans for 2024; and the ability to meet other factors listed from time to time in the Corporation’s continuous disclosure documents.
The Corporation, together with its Moa Joint Venture, is pursuing a range of growth and expansion opportunities, including without limitation, process technology solutions, development projects, commercial implementation opportunities, life of mine extension opportunities and the conversion of mineral resources to reserves. In addition to the risks noted above, factors that could, alone or in combination, prevent the Corporation from successfully achieving these opportunities may include, without limitation: identifying suitable commercialization and other partners; successfully advancing discussions and successfully concluding applicable agreements with external parties and/or partners; successfully attracting required financing; successfully developing and proving technology required for the potential opportunity; successfully overcoming technical and technological challenges; successful environmental assessment and stakeholder engagement; successfully obtaining intellectual property protection; successfully completing test work and engineering studies, prefeasibility and feasibility studies, piloting, scaling from small scale to large scale production, procurement, construction, commissioning, ramp-up to commercial scale production and completion; and securing regulatory and government approvals. There can be no assurance that any opportunity will be successful, commercially viable, completed on time or on budget, or will generate any meaningful revenues, savings or earnings, as the case may be, for the Corporation. In addition, the Corporation will incur costs in pursuing any particular opportunity, which may be significant.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and should be considered in conjunction with the risk factors described in the Corporation’s other documents filed with the Canadian securities authorities, including without limitation the “Managing Risk” section of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and the Annual Information Form of the Corporation dated March 21, 2024 for the period ending December 31, 2023, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca .
The Corporation may, from time to time, make oral forward-looking statements. The Corporation advises that the above paragraph and the risk factors described in this press release and in the Corporation’s other documents filed with the Canadian securities authorities should be read for a description of certain factors that could cause the actual results of the Corporation to differ materially from those in the oral forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any oral or written forward-looking information or statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information and statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
APPENDIX – NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES
Management uses the measures below to monitor the financial performance of the Corporation and its operating divisions and believes these measures enable investors and analysts to compare the Corporation’s financial performance with its competitors and/or evaluate the results of its underlying business. These measures are intended to provide additional information, not to replace IFRS measures, and do not have a standard definition under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. As these measures do not have a standardized meaning, they may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other companies.
The non-GAAP and other financial measures are reconciled to the most directly comparable IFRS measure as presented in the consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.
Combined revenue
The Corporation uses combined revenue as a measure to help management assess the Corporation’s financial performance across its core operations. Combined revenue includes the Corporation’s consolidated revenue, less Oil and Gas revenue, and includes the revenue of the Moa JV within the Metals reportable segment on a 50% basis. Revenue of the Moa JV is included in share of earnings of Moa Joint Venture, net of tax, as a result of the equity method of accounting and excluded from the Corporation’s consolidated revenue.
Revenue at Oil and Gas is excluded from Combined revenue as the segment is not currently exploring for or producing oil and gas and its financial results relate to ancillary drilling services, provided to a customer and CUPET, and environmental rehabilitation costs for legacy assets, which are not reflective of the Corporation’s core operating activities or revenue generation potential. The exclusion of revenue at Oil and Gas from Combined revenue represented a change in the composition of Combined revenue during the three months ended December 31, 2023 to better reflect the Corporation’s core operating activities and revenue generation potential and the prior year measure has been restated for comparative purposes.
Management uses this measure to reflect the Corporation’s economic interest in its operations prior to the application of equity accounting to help allocate financial resources and provide investors with information that it believes is useful in understanding the scope of Sherritt’s business, based on its economic interest, irrespective of the accounting treatment.
The table below reconciles combined revenue to revenue per the financial statements:
$ millions
Revenue by reportable segment
Metals (1)
Corporate and Other
0.8
0.5
60%
1.1
27%
Adjustment for Moa Joint Venture
(117.8)
(107.6)
(222.0)
(238.5)
Adjustment for Oil and Gas
6.0
Financial statement revenue
Adjusted EBITDA
The Corporation defines Adjusted EBITDA as (loss) earnings from operations and joint venture, which excludes net finance expense, income tax expense and loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, as reported in the financial statements for the period, adjusted for: depletion, depreciation and amortization; impairment losses on non-current non-financial assets and investments; and gains or losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment of the Corporation and the Moa JV. The exclusion of impairment losses eliminates the non-cash impact of the losses.
Earnings/loss from operations at Oil and Gas (net of depletion, depreciation and amortization, if applicable) is deducted from/added back to Adjusted EBITDA as the segment is not currently exploring for or producing oil and gas and its financial results relate to ancillary drilling services, provided to a customer and CUPET, and environmental rehabilitation costs for legacy assets, which are not reflective of the Corporation’s core operating activities or cash generation potential. The adjustment for earnings/loss from operations at Oil and Gas (net of depletion, depreciation and amortization, if applicable) represented a change in the composition of Adjusted EBITDA during the three months ended December 31, 2023 to better reflect the Corporation’s core operating activities and cash generation potential and the prior year measure has been restated for comparative purposes.
Management uses Adjusted EBITDA internally to evaluate the cash generation potential of Sherritt’s operating divisions on a combined and segment basis as an indicator of ability to fund working capital needs, meet covenant obligations, service debt and fund capital expenditures, as well as provide a level of comparability to similar entities. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors in evaluating the Corporation’s operating results in the same manner as management and the Board of Directors.
The tables below reconcile (loss) earnings from operations and joint venture per the financial statements to Adjusted EBITDA:
$ millions, for the three months ended June 30
Oil and Gas
Total
Earnings (loss) from operations and joint venture
per financial statements
(6.9
)
(0.6
(1.9
Add (deduct):
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
2.9
0.1
-
3.7
Oil and Gas earnings from operations, net of
depletion, depreciation and amortization
(1.8
Adjustments for share of earnings of Moa Joint Venture:
11.9
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Net finance expense
Income tax expense
(6.8
(Restated)
(8.6
0.7
0.2
4.2
(1.5
11.5
Net finance income
(3.0
(8.4
$ millions, for the six months ended June 30
Metals (2)
(18.3
(13.9
(24.3
Add:
5.3
7.0
Oil and Gas loss from operations, net of
23.0
(1.1
0.9
(13.4
(18.6
(1.7
(0.2
(2.6
4.3
(18.1
Average-realized price
Average-realized price is generally calculated by dividing revenue by sales volume for the given product in a given segment. The average-realized price for power excludes by-product and other revenue, as this revenue is not earned directly for power generation. Transactions by a Moa JV marketing company, included in other revenue, are excluded.
Management uses this measure, and believes investors use this measure, to compare the relationship between the revenue per unit and direct costs on a per unit basis in each reporting period for nickel, cobalt, fertilizer and power and provide comparability with other similar external operations.
Average-realized price for fertilizer is the weighted-average realized price of ammonia and various ammonium sulphate products.
Average-realized price for nickel and cobalt are expressed in Canadian dollars per pound sold, while fertilizer is expressed in Canadian dollars per tonne sold and electricity is expressed in Canadian dollars per megawatt hour sold.
The tables below reconcile revenue per the financial statements to average-realized price:
$ millions, except average-realized price and sales volume, for the three months ended June 30