TMC Announces First Quarter 2024 Results
TMC the metals company (Nasdaq: TMC) reported its Q1 2024 financial results, highlighting significant developments. The company used $11.9 million in operations and reported a net loss of $25.2 million, or $0.08 per share. TMC's total liquidity stands at approximately $49 million, including cash and credit facilities. Operational highlights included the world's first production of nickel sulfate from deep-seafloor polymetallic nodules and extensive environmental data submissions to the International Seabed Authority. Notable appointments included Silicon Valley investor Steve Jurvetson joining as Vice Chairman. TMC's geopolitical engagements involve discussions with the Pentagon and Congress about nodule processing and refining in the U.S.
- Total liquidity of approximately $49 million, providing financial flexibility.
- Successful production of nickel sulfate from deep-seafloor polymetallic nodules.
- Extensive environmental data submissions to the International Seabed Authority.
- Appointment of Steve Jurvetson as Vice Chairman, enhancing leadership with his expertise in disruptive technology.
- Engagement with U.S. government for potential domestic nodule processing and refining.
- Net loss of $25.2 million for Q1 2024, up from $13.7 million in Q1 2023.
- Cash used in operations amounted to $11.9 million.
- Increased exploration and evaluation expenses to $18.1 million from $7.2 million.
- General and administrative expenses rose to $6.6 million from $6.2 million in Q1 2023.
Insights
TMC's financial results for the first quarter of 2024 show a net loss of $25.2 million and a net loss per share of $0.08, which is significant compared to the previous year's net loss of $13.7 million. This increase in net loss can mostly be attributed to the rise in exploration and evaluation expenses. Notably, these expenses jumped from $7.2 million to $18.1 million due to increased engineering work and nodule transportation costs. While these are necessary expenditures for a company in TMC's industry, the significant cash outflow might concern short-term investors.
However, the total liquidity of
Investors should also be aware of the company's reliance on credit facilities. Borrowing from affiliates like Allseas Group SA and major shareholders like ERAS Capital LLC show confidence in TMC’s long-term prospects but also indicate a dependence on external funding sources.
In the short term, the company's financial health raises concerns due to high operational costs and ongoing losses. However, their strategic investments in exploration and technology could potentially yield significant returns in the long term.
The announcement of TMC's first production of nickel sulfate from deep-seafloor polymetallic nodules is a landmark achievement, signaling a potential breakthrough in the supply chain for battery metals. This development could position TMC as a key player in the growing electric vehicle (EV) market, which is heavily reliant on nickel for battery production. The ability to produce nickel sulfate without generating solid waste or tailings also adds an environmental benefit that is likely to appeal to ESG-conscious investors and partners.
Furthermore, the ongoing geopolitical interest in deep-seafloor minerals, particularly from the U.S. Pentagon and Chinese contractors, underscores the strategic importance of TMC's work. As the regulatory environment evolves, the company's extensive submission of environmental data to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) may help in gaining approval for full-scale exploitation, thus offering a long-term growth opportunity.
However, the competitive landscape is also intensifying, with multiple players entering or expanding their presence in this niche market. The introduction of the Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act (RUSRA) in the U.S. highlights the need for robust regulatory frameworks, which could either facilitate or hinder TMC's progress depending on the outcomes.
Overall, while the operational and financial metrics present immediate challenges, TMC's strategic advancements in technology and regulatory compliance suggest a potentially strong position in the future battery metals market.
TMC's commitment to gathering extensive environmental data and its recent submission to the ISA is a significant step towards mitigating the environmental concerns associated with deep-sea mining. The company’s efforts to collect the largest environmental baseline dataset of its kind aim to address the regulatory uncertainties and provide a solid foundation for their expected exploitation application. This proactive approach is important for gaining the necessary approvals and demonstrating responsible environmental stewardship.
From a policy perspective, the recent introduction of the Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act in the U.S. signals a growing recognition of the importance of international governance in this emerging industry. This legislation aims to ensure that seafloor mining activities are conducted responsibly and could potentially support TMC’s operations if aligned with U.S. diplomatic and financial backing.
However, the environmental risks associated with deep-sea mining remain a concern. The long-term ecological impacts are still not fully understood and any adverse findings from ongoing environmental studies could pose significant regulatory and reputational risks for TMC.
In summary, while TMC’s efforts in environmental data collection and regulatory compliance are commendable, the inherent uncertainties and potential environmental impacts of deep-sea mining continue to present significant challenges.
NEW YORK, May 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) (“TMC” or “the Company”), an explorer of lower-impact battery metals from seafloor polymetallic nodules, today provided a corporate update and first quarter financial results for the period ending March 31, 2024.
Q1 2024 Financial Highlights
$11.9 million cash used in operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2024- Net loss of
$25.2 million and net loss per share of$0.08 for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 - Total liquidity of approximately
$49 million at March 31, 2024, inclusive of:- Cash of
$4.0 million - The
$25 million unsecured credit facility from an affiliate of Allseas Group SA with a maturity date of August 2025 - The
$20 million unsecured credit facility with a maturity date of September 2025 provided by our largest shareholder, ERAS Capital LLC (the family office of TMC director Andrei Karkar), and our Chairman & CEO, Gerard Barron
- Cash of
- Subsequent to March 31, 2024, TMC has drawn approximately
$2.9 million on the unsecured credit facility provided by ERAS Capital LLC and Gerard Barron
Gerard Barron, Chairman & CEO of The Metals Company commented: “2024 is the year when most of the speculations about the environmental impacts of our emerging industry will be displaced by data and evidence. Earlier this month, NORI made another large data submission to the International Seabed Authority - NORI’s environmental baseline dataset is the largest of its kind ever gathered in the deep sea and, with still more data being prepared for another submission later this year, I am confident that our efforts over the past 12 years will provide the regulator with the data it needs to make informed decisions regarding our expected application for a NORI exploitation contract. With the continued support provided once again by our largest shareholders as announced in our year-end corporate update, we feel confident that we have the financial flexibility to deliver a world-class application.”
“Geopolitically, the U.S. is actively exploring the potential of deep-seafloor minerals, with the Pentagon currently conducting an analysis of domestic nodule processing and refining opportunities. Meanwhile, several Chinese contractors have announced plans to begin polymetallic nodule collection tests as early as 2025. While we do not have certainty on the date of the Pentagon report’s completion, I’m encouraged by the work being done by the Department of Defense and other departments. Further, we’re in active dialogue with members of Congress regarding the prioritization of feasibility work for the future refining of nodule-derived products in the United States, building on the existing base of support demonstrated in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act. We look forward to sharing more developments on this front in the coming weeks and months.”
Operational Highlights Since Last Corporate Update
- Steve Jurvetson Joins TMC’s Board of Directors as Vice Chairman and Special Advisor to the CEO: In April 2024, renowned Silicon Valley investor Steve Jurvetson joined our board of directors as Vice Chairman and special advisor to the CEO. Mr. Jurvetson is an investor focused on founder-led, mission-driven companies at the cutting edge of disruptive technology and new industry formation. His investments include pioneering technology companies like Tesla, Planet Labs, SpaceX and Commonwealth Fusion Systems, and represent over
$800 billion in aggregate value creation. - World-First Production of Nickel Sulfate from Deep-Seafloor Polymetallic Nodules: In April 2024, we announced that we had successfully produced the world’s first nickel sulfate derived exclusively from seafloor polymetallic nodules during pilot-scale nodule processing. In partnership with SGS Canada Inc, the testing was undertaken on samples of nickel-cobalt-copper matte produced by TMC in 2021 using the Company’s efficient flowsheet to process high-grade nickel matte directly to nickel sulfate without making nickel metal, while producing fertilizer byproducts instead of solid waste or tailings.
- Extensive Submission of Deep-Sea Environmental Data to the ISA: In May 2024, we announced that our subsidiary NORI had made a second submission of key environmental data from all prior environmental baseline campaigns conducted in the NORI-D exploration area up to January 2022 to DeepData, an open database of contractor data managed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The submission of this massive batch of data includes an extensive set of geochemical and biological samples from across the water column.
Industry Update
- ISA Consolidated Draft Regulations: In February 2024, the ISA published a consolidated set of draft regulations for the first time, harmonizing and cleaning up the text. The 225-page text is comprehensive and signals the next phase in the negotiations. Part 1 of the ISA’s 29th Session took place between March 18-29, 2024. During the Session, the ISA Council commenced negotiations on the new consolidated text and identified a number of areas for negotiation inter-sessionally.
- Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act (RUSRA): In March 2024, legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives calling for the U.S. to “support international governance of seafloor resource exploration and responsible polymetallic nodule collection by allied partners”, and to “provide financial, diplomatic, or other forms of support for seafloor nodule collection, processing and refining.”
Financial Results Overview
At March 31, 2024, we held cash of approximately
We reported a net loss of approximately
General and administrative expenses were
Conference Call
We will hold a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. EDT to provide an update on recent corporate developments, first quarter 2024 financial results and upcoming milestones.
First Quarter 2024 Conference Call Details | |
| Date: | Monday, May 13, 2024 |
| Time: | 4:30 pm EDT |
| Audio-only Dial-in: | Register Here |
| Virtual webcast w/ slides: | Register Here |
Please register with the links above at least ten minutes prior to the conference call. The virtual webcast will be available for replay in the ‘Investors’ tab of the Company’s website under ‘Investors’ > ‘Media’ > ‘Events and Presentations’, approximately two hours after the event.
About The Metals Company
The Metals Company is an explorer of lower-impact battery metals from seafloor polymetallic nodules, on a dual mission: (1) supply metals for the global energy transition with the least possible negative impacts on planet and people and (2) trace, recover and recycle the metals we supply to help create a metals commons that can be used in perpetuity. The Company through its subsidiaries holds exploration and commercial rights to three polymetallic nodule contract areas in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean regulated by the International Seabed Authority and sponsored by the governments of Nauru, Kiribati and the Kingdom of Tonga. More information is available at www.metals.co.
Contacts
Media | media@metals.co
Investors | investors@metals.co
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements and information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as “aims,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “plans,” “possible,” “potential,” “will” and variations of these words or similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the potential impact of the Company’s potential commercial operations, the Company’s expected application to the ISA for an exploitation contract, the potential outcome of actions of the U.S. government, the Company’s dialogue with members of the U.S. government, the status and timing of adopting final regulations, or Mining Code, for the exploitation of deep-sea polymetallic nodules and the Company’s financial and operating plans moving forward. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, among other things: the Company’s strategies and future financial performance; the ISA's ability to timely adopt the Mining Code and/or willingness to review and/or approve a plan of work for exploitation under the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS); the Company’s ability to obtain exploitation contracts or approved plans of work for exploitation for its areas in the Clarion Clipperton Zone; regulatory uncertainties and the impact of government regulation and political instability on the Company’s resource activities; changes to any of the laws, rules, regulations or policies to which the Company is subject, including the terms of the final Mining Code, if any, adopted by ISA and the potential timing thereof; the impact of extensive and costly environmental requirements on the Company’s operations; environmental liabilities; the impact of polymetallic nodule collection on biodiversity in the Clarion Clipperton Zone and recovery rates of impacted ecosystems; the Company’s ability to develop minerals in sufficient grade or quantities to justify commercial operations; the lack of development of seafloor polymetallic nodule deposit; the Company’s ability to successfully enter into binding agreements with Allseas Group S.A. and other parties in which it is in discussions, if any, including Pacific Metals Company of Japan; uncertainty in the estimates for mineral resource calculations from certain contract areas and for the grade and quality of polymetallic nodule deposits; risks associated with natural hazards; uncertainty with respect to the specialized treatment and processing of polymetallic nodules that the Company may recover; risks associated with collective, development and processing operations, including with respect to the development of onshore processing capabilities and capacity and Allseas Group S.A.’s expected development efforts with respect to the Project Zero offshore system; the Company’s dependence on Allseas Group S.A.; fluctuations in transportation costs; fluctuations in metals prices; testing and manufacturing of equipment; risks associated with the Company’s limited operating history, limited cash resources and need for additional financing and risk that such financing may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all; risks associated with the Company’s intellectual property; Low Carbon Royalties’ limited operating history and other risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, that are described in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 25, 2024, as amended. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether because of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
| TMC the metals company Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands of US Dollars, except share amounts) (Unaudited) | |||||||||
| ASSETS | As at March 31, 2024 | As at December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Current | |||||||||
| Cash | $ | 3,991 | $ | 6,842 | |||||
| Receivables and prepayments | 1,953 | 1,978 | |||||||
| 5,944 | 8,820 | ||||||||
| Non-current | |||||||||
| Exploration contracts | 43,150 | 43,150 | |||||||
| Equipment | 1,048 | 1,133 | |||||||
| Software development costs | 1,718 | 1,643 | |||||||
| Right-of-use asset | 5,244 | 5,721 | |||||||
| Investment | 8,351 | 8,429 | |||||||
| 59,511 | 60,076 | ||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 65,455 | $ | 68,896 | |||||
| LIABILITIES | |||||||||
| Current | |||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 36,470 | 31,334 | |||||||
| 36,470 | 31,334 | ||||||||
| Non-current | |||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | 10,675 | 10,675 | |||||||
| Royalty liability | 14,000 | 14,000 | |||||||
| Warrants liability | 2,500 | 1,969 | |||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | $ | 63,645 | $ | 57,978 | |||||
| EQUITY | |||||||||
| Common shares (unlimited shares, no par value – issued: 318,291,383 (December 31, 2023 – 306,558,710)) | 454,431 | 438,239 | |||||||
| Additional paid in capital | 122,691 | 122,797 | |||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,216 | ) | (1,216 | ) | |||||
| Deficit | (574,096 | ) | (548,902 | ) | |||||
| TOTAL EQUITY | 1,810 | 10,918 | |||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $ | 65,455 | $ | 68,896 | |||||
| TMC the metals company Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands of US Dollars, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) | |||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, | Three months ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||
| Exploration and evaluation expenses | $ | 18,123 | $ | 7,169 | |||||
| General and administrative expenses | 6,559 | 6,214 | |||||||
| Operating loss | 24,682 | 13,383 | |||||||
| Other items | |||||||||
| Equity-accounted investment loss | 78 | 219 | |||||||
| Change in fair value of private warrants liability | 531 | 544 | |||||||
| Foreign exchange (gain) loss | (266 | ) | 29 | ||||||
| Interest income | (102 | ) | (454 | ) | |||||
| Fees and interest on credit facility | 271 | 27 | |||||||
Loss and comprehensive loss for the period | $ | 25,194 | $ | 13,748 | |||||
| Loss per share | |||||||||
| - basic and diluted | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.05 | |||||
| Weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding – basic and diluted | 311,521,854 | 272,029,603 | |||||||
| TMC the metals company Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (in thousands of US Dollars, except share amounts) (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2024 | Common Shares | Additional Paid in Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 1, 2024 | 306,558,710 | $ | 438,239 | $ | 122,797 | $ | (1,216 | ) | $ | (548,902 | ) | $ | 10,918 | |||||||
| Issuance of shares and warrants under Registered Direct Offering, net of expenses | 4,500,000 | 7,447 | 1,553 | - | - | 9,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | 120,000 | 144 | 46 | - | - | 190 | ||||||||||||||
| Conversion of restricted share units, net of shares withheld for taxes | 7,112,673 | 8,601 | (8,601 | ) | - | - | - | |||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation and expenses settled with equity | - | - | 6,896 | - | - | 6,896 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | (25,194 | ) | (25,194 | ) | ||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | 318,291,383 | $ | 454,431 | $ | 122,691 | $ | (1,216 | ) | $ | (574,096 | ) | $ | 1,810 | |||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2023 | Common Shares | Additional Paid in Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 1, 2023 | 266,812,131 | $ | 332,882 | $ | 184,960 | $ | (1,216 | ) | $ | (475,121 | ) | $ | 41,505 | |||||||
| Shares issued to Allseas | 10,850,000 | 9,394 | - | - | - | 9,394 | ||||||||||||||
| Conversion of restricted share units, net of shares withheld for taxes | 2,956,154 | 2,814 | (2,814 | ) | - | - | - | |||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation and Expenses settled with equity | - | - | 4,650 | - | - | 4,650 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | (13,748 | ) | (13,748 | ) | ||||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | 280,618,285 | $ | 345,090 | $ | 186,796 | $ | (1,216 | ) | $ | (488,869 | ) | $ | 41,801 | |||||||
| TMC the metals company Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands of US Dollars) (Unaudited) | ||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2024 | Three months ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | ||||||||||
| Loss for the period | $ | (25,194 | ) | $ | (13,748 | ) | ||||
| Items not affecting cash: | ||||||||||
| Amortization | 85 | 88 | ||||||||
| Lease expense | 477 | - | ||||||||
| Share-based compensation and expenses settled with equity | 6,896 | 4,650 | ||||||||
| Equity-accounted investment loss | 78 | 219 | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of warrants liability | 531 | 544 | ||||||||
| Unrealized foreign exchange movement | (293 | ) | (20 | ) | ||||||
| Changes in working capital: | ||||||||||
| Receivables and prepayments | 25 | (459 | ) | |||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 5,543 | (14,758 | ) | |||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (11,852 | ) | (23,484 | ) | ||||||
| Investing activities | ||||||||||
| Acquisition of equipment and software | (340 | ) | - | |||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (340 | ) | - | |||||||
| Financing activities | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from Registered Direct Offering | 9,000 | - | ||||||||
| Expenses paid for Registered Direct Offering | (142 | ) | - | |||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 190 | - | ||||||||
| Proceeds from Low Carbon Royalties investment | - | 5,000 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 9,048 | 5,000 | ||||||||
| Decrease in cash | $ | (3,144 | ) | $ | (18,484 | ) | ||||
| Impact of exchange rate changes on cash | 293 | 20 | ||||||||
| Cash - beginning of period | 6,842 | 46,876 | ||||||||
| Cash - end of period | 3,991 | 28,412 | ||||||||
FAQ
What were TMC's financial results for Q1 2024?
What is TMC's total liquidity as of March 31, 2024?
How much cash did TMC use in operations during Q1 2024?
What significant operational achievement did TMC accomplish in April 2024?
Who joined TMC's Board of Directors in April 2024?
What is TMC's engagement with the U.S. government regarding nodule processing?
What environmental data did TMC submit to the ISA in May 2024?
