BELMONT, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Piedmont Lithium Inc. (“Piedmont,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) (Nasdaq: PLL; ASX: PLL), a leading North American supplier of lithium products critical to the U.S. electric vehicle supply chain, today reported its third quarter 2024 financial results.

Piedmont shipped approximately 31,500 dry metric tons (“dmt”) of spodumene concentrate (~5.4% Li₂O) associated with spot shipments in Q3’24 and recognized $27.7 million in revenue. The Company’s realized price per ton was $878 in Q3’24, which outperformed industry peers during the quarter. Piedmont expects to ship approximately 41,000 to 55,000 dmt of spodumene concentrate in Q4’24, resulting in total shipments of approximately 102,000 to 116,000 dmt in 2024¹. Our Q4’24 shipments are expected to be long-term customer shipments or spot shipments structured to minimize downside risk. Production at North American Lithium (“NAL”) supports the Company’s Q4’24 shipment guidance.

NAL, North America’s largest operating spodumene mine, continued to achieve quarterly production records in Q3’24 following the achievement of steady-state production in June 2024. NAL produced approximately 52,100 dmt of spodumene concentrate during the quarter, up 5% from Q2’24, with recoveries remaining relatively steady at 67% in the quarter. Mill utilization achieved a new record high of 91%, benefiting from the recently completed crushed ore dome. The increased utilization rate also drove an improvement in unit operating costs, which declined by 15% quarter-over-quarter to US$729 when excluding the impact of inventory movements. Further, Sayona Mining Limited (“Sayona Mining”) reported an increase to NAL’s mineral resource estimate in Q3’24, including a significant increase in resources in the measured and indicated categories. NAL is jointly owned by Piedmont (25%) and Sayona Mining (75%).

Carolina Lithium remains the focus of the Company’s U.S. project development strategy following the receipt of the state mining permit in Q2’24 and the subsequent decision to shift the proposed Tennessee Lithium conversion capacity to the North Carolina project. Piedmont continues to pursue an air permit application currently under review by North Carolina’s Division of Air Quality, which would allow for up to 60,000 tons per year of lithium hydroxide production at Carolina Lithium. In addition, the U.S. Department of the Treasury recently issued final rules for the Inflation Reduction Act’s manufacturing credit (45X), which included modifications that could materially improve the after-tax economics of U.S. projects like Carolina Lithium.

In Q3’24, our joint venture Ewoyaa Lithium Project (“Ewoyaa”) in Ghana received an environmental permit from Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA Permit”) and in October, received a Mine Operating Permit from the Ghanaian Minerals Commission. Development of the project remains subject to the outcome of the mining lease ratification by the Ghanaian Parliament, ongoing design work, additional regulatory approvals, prevailing market conditions, and project financing.

“We are very pleased with the continued quarterly progress at NAL, with new records set in Q3 for production and mill utilization rates. Production in Q3 benefited from the investments made at NAL during prior quarters, particularly the recently completed crushed ore dome, the availability of which also drove an improvement in unit operating costs,” said Keith Phillips, President and CEO of Piedmont Lithium. “In addition to the progress in operations, Sayona Mining announced a significant increase to the mineral resource estimate for NAL this quarter, indicating the potential for a brownfield expansion of annual production at some future point.”

“The third quarter was a successful one for Piedmont with a quarterly record of spodumene concentrate shipped via well-placed spot shipments that took advantage of the futures market. We expect to exceed Q3’s shipment record in Q4’24 to round out an excellent second half of the year,” said Phillips. “On the development side, Ewoyaa made key strides on the regulatory front, and we were heartened by the recent positive news from the U.S. Treasury that should provide material improvement to the economics of Carolina Lithium.”

“While lithium markets remain challenging, we have been successful in strengthening our financial position through reductions in operating costs, minimized spending on discretionary capital items, and the arrangement of low-cost working capital financing through a trading company partner,” added Phillips.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

All references to dry metric tons (“dmt”) in this release relate to spodumene concentrate.

Third Quarter and Recent Business Highlights

Piedmont Lithium

• Shipped approximately 31,500 dmt (~5.4% Li₂O) of spodumene concentrate from NAL to customers in Q3’24 and recognized $27.7 million in revenue with a realized sales price of $878 per dmt. On an SC6 equivalent basis, our realized price per metric ton was $976.
• In July 2024, Piedmont streamlined its U.S. lithium hydroxide production plans in favor of deploying capital and technical resources more efficiently by shifting our proposed Tennessee Lithium conversion capacity to Carolina Lithium. We plan to leverage the North Carolina project by adding a second lithium hydroxide production train as part of a phased development approach on a measured timeline subject to market conditions.
• In September 2024, we entered into a working capital facility with a trading company partner, whereby we may borrow up to $25.0 million based on the value of committed volumes of spodumene concentrate shipped within the following twelve months. Borrowings are credited against the outstanding balance at the time vessels complete loading, which provides additional borrowing availability. Interest is payable quarterly at the rate of SOFR plus 2.4%.
• During the second half of 2024, we expanded our 2024 Cost Savings Plan and further reduced our workforce by 32% in October 2024. We expect to record restructuring charges in Q4’24 of approximately $0.6 million, which consists of $0.5 million in cash severance and employee benefits and $0.1 million in non-cash stock compensation expense. As part of our 2024 Cost Savings Plan, we reduced our total workforce by 48% between February 2024 and October 2024. We expect to recognize $14 million in annual cost savings in 2024.

North American Lithium (Quebec, Canada)

• In Q3’24, NAL achieved record quarterly production of approximately 52,100 dmt and shipped approximately 49,000 dmt, of which approximately 31,500 dmt were sold to Piedmont.
• In Q3’24, production at NAL increased nearly 5% compared to the prior quarter, recovery rates held consistent at 67%, and mill utilization increased to 91%, up 10% from the previous quarter.
• During the third quarter of 2024, NAL operations benefited from the availability of the crushed ore dome, which was commissioned in Q2’24. Operations are expected to produce at steady-state for the remainder of 2024.
• In Q3’24, Sayona announced an increase to the mineral resources estimate at NAL including a significant increase to the mineral resources in the measured and indicated categories in accordance with JORC Code requirements.
• In September 2024, NAL reported an incident-free safety performance record with no lost time injuries, no modified duty injuries, and no medical aid injuries.
• Concentrate produced and shipped by NAL and concentrate shipped by Piedmont:

Ewoyaa Lithium Project (Ghana)

• In July 2024, the application to grant the Ewoyaa mining lease was submitted to the Ghanaian parliament to undergo the ratification process. The mining lease remains subject to parliamentary ratification as of the date of this Quarterly Report. We expect advances to Atlantic Lithium for Ewoyaa to decrease in the coming months depending on the timing of mining lease ratification, permitting, and prevailing market conditions.
• In July 2024, Piedmont mandated a financial advisor to develop a funding strategy that includes an offtake-partner process to support our share of Ewoyaa construction capital and minimize dilution to Piedmont shareholders.
• In September 2024, Ghana’s Environmental Protections Agency granted an environmental permit to the Ewoyaa project.
• In October 2024, the Minerals Commission of Ghana issued a Mine Operating Permit in respect of the Ewoyaa project. The receipt of the permit marked an important milestone in achieving the regulatory approvals required to commence Project construction. The project, however, remains subject to ratification of the mining lease by the Ghanaian Parliament.

Carolina Lithium (North Carolina)

• Piedmont continues to pursue an air permit application currently under review by North Carolina’s Division of Air Quality, which would allow for up to 60,000 tons per year of lithium hydroxide production at Carolina Lithium.
• October 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued final guidance for the Inflation Reduction Act’s rules regarding the manufacturing credit (45X) with the modifications intended to drive critical mineral processing in the U.S. The new guidance supports the application of the 10% manufacturing credit to direct and indirect material costs, which could materially improve the after-tax economics of U.S. projects like Carolina Lithium.

Tennessee Lithium

• In July 2024, Piedmont converted the proposed Tennessee Lithium project plans to a second lithium hydroxide train as part of a phased development for Carolina Lithium. The combined conversion facilities should allow Piedmont to significantly increase U.S. lithium hydroxide production capacity while deploying capital and technical resources more efficiently.

2024 Outlook

Under our offtake agreement with Sayona Quebec, Piedmont has the right to purchase the greater of 50% of production or 113,000 dmt/year. Based on the production projection, customer requirements, and per the Company’s offtake agreement, Piedmont currently expects to ship 41,000 to 55,000 dmt in Q4’24, totaling approximately 102,000 to 116,000 dmt in 2024. In response to a customer request, the Company expects to shift a previously planned cargo from Q4’24 to early Q1’25 and is contemplating shifting a second shipment from December 2024 to January 2025 to realize material transport cost savings by combining this shipment with one from Sayona Quebec. As a result of these expected amendments to the shipment schedule, the Company has made an adjustment from our prior guidance of 126,000 dmt for 2024. We expect these shifts to be accretive to our 2025 shipments totals and not impact Piedmont’s total offtake quantities at NAL. We are prioritizing contract customer shipments and structuring spot shipments to limit downside exposure.

We expect less than $1 million in capital expenditures mainly related to Carolina Lithium in Q4’24. Investments in and advances to affiliates reflect cash contributions to Sayona Quebec and advances to Atlantic Lithium for the Ewoyaa project. With the restart capital program at NAL completed, and approvals at Ewoyaa ongoing, we expect payments to affiliates to substantially reduce in H2’24. Our outlook for forecasted capital expenditures and investments in and advances to affiliates is subject to market conditions.

Safety and Sustainability

Following the release in Q2’24 of Piedmont’s 2023 Sustainability Report, the Company continued policy development and training to support the long-term objective of establishing a robust safety and health management system. Employee engagement in safety events remained strong and identification and reporting of hazards, unsafe acts, conditions, and safety observations, and near misses continued to improve.

Q3 2024 Piedmont Lithium Earnings Call

Piedmont’s earnings presentation and supporting material are available at: https://piedmontlithium.com/investors-overview.

About Piedmont

Piedmont Lithium Inc. (Nasdaq: PLL; ASX: PLL) is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America. Our goal is to become one of the largest lithium hydroxide producers in North America by processing spodumene concentrate produced from assets where we hold an economic interest. Our projects include our Carolina Lithium project in the United States and partnerships in Quebec with Sayona Mining (ASX: SYA) and in Ghana with Atlantic Lithium (AIM: ALL; ASX: A11). We believe these geographically diversified operations will enable us to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward energy independence and the electrification of transportation and energy storage.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

Piedmont’s public disclosures are governed by the U.S. Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Regulation S-K 1300 thereunder, whereas NAL discloses estimates of “measured,” “indicated,” and “inferred” mineral resources as such terms are used in the JORC Code and Canada’s National Instrument 43-101. Although S-K 1300, the JORC Code, and NI 43-101 have similar goals in terms of conveying an appropriate level of confidence in the disclosures being reported, they at times embody different approaches or definitions. Consequently, investors are cautioned that public disclosures by NAL prepared in accordance with the JORC Code or NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies, including Piedmont, subject to S-K 1300 and the other reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

The statements in the link below were prepared by, and made by, NAL. The following disclosures are not statements of Piedmont and have not been independently verified by Piedmont. NAL is not subject to U.S. reporting requirements or obligations, and investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these statements. NAL’s original announcements can be found here: https://www.asx.com.au/markets/company/sya

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of or as described in securities legislation in the United States and Australia, including statements regarding exploration, development, construction, and production activities of Sayona Mining, Atlantic Lithium, and Piedmont; current plans for Piedmont’s mineral and chemical processing projects; Piedmont’s potential acquisition of an ownership interest in Ewoyaa; and strategy. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other risk factors, many of which are beyond our control, and which may cause actual timing of events, results, performance, or achievements and other factors to be materially different from the future timing of events, results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others: (i) that Piedmont, Sayona Mining, or Atlantic Lithium may be unable to commercially extract mineral deposits, (ii) that Piedmont’s, Sayona Mining’s, or Atlantic Lithium’s properties may not contain expected reserves, (iii) risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including risks inherent in exploring, developing, constructing, and operating mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather, or geologically related conditions), (iv) uncertainty about Piedmont’s ability to obtain required capital to execute its business plan, (v) Piedmont’s ability to hire and retain required personnel, (vi) changes in the market prices of lithium and lithium products, (vii) changes in technology or the development of substitute products, (viii) the uncertainties inherent in exploratory, developmental, and production activities, including risks relating to permitting, zoning, and regulatory delays related to our projects as well as the projects of our partners in Quebec and Ghana, (ix) uncertainties inherent in the estimation of lithium resources, (x) risks related to competition, (xi) risks related to the information, data, and projections related to Sayona Mining or Atlantic Lithium, (xii) occurrences and outcomes of claims, litigation, and regulatory actions, investigations, and proceedings, (xiii) risks regarding our ability to achieve profitability, enter into and deliver product under supply agreements on favorable terms, our ability to obtain sufficient financing to develop and construct our projects, our ability to comply with governmental regulations, and our ability to obtain necessary permits, and (xiv) other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Australian Securities Exchange, including Piedmont’s most recent filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements, projections, and estimates are given only as of the date of this press release and actual events, results, performance, and achievements could vary significantly from the forward-looking statements, projections, and estimates presented in this press release. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Piedmont disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, projections, and estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Piedmont, except as required by applicable law, undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of Piedmont, its financial or operating results or its securities.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following information provides definitions and reconciliations of certain non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures presented do not have any standard meaning prescribed by GAAP and may differ from similarly-titled measures used by other companies. We believe that these adjusted measures provide meaningful information to assist management, investors, and analysts in understanding our financial condition and the results of operations. We believe these adjusted financial measures are important indicators of our recurring operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, our core operating results, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses.

The following are non-GAAP financial measures for Piedmont:

Adjusted net (loss) income is defined as net (loss) income, as calculated under GAAP, plus or minus the gain or loss from sale of equity method investments, gain or loss on sale of assets, gain or loss from equity securities, gain or loss from foreign currency exchange, restructuring and impairment charges including severance and severance related costs and exit costs, and certain other adjustments we believe are not reflective of our ongoing operations and performance. These items include acquisition costs and other fees, and shelf registration costs.

Adjusted diluted earnings per share (or adjusted diluted EPS) is defined as diluted EPS, as calculated under GAAP, before gain or loss on sale of equity method investments, gain or loss on sale of assets, gain or loss from equity securities, gain or loss from foreign currency exchange, restructuring and impairment charges including severance and severance related costs and exit costs, and certain other costs we believe are not reflective of our ongoing operations and performance.

EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expenses, income tax expense, and depreciation.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA plus or minus the gain or loss on sale of equity method investments, gain or loss on sale of assets, gain or loss from equity securities, gain or loss from foreign currency exchange, restructuring and impairment charges including severance and severance related costs and exit costs, and certain other adjustments we believe are not reflective of our ongoing operations and performance.

Below are reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures on a consolidated basis for adjusted net (loss) income, adjusted diluted EPS, EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA.