# Westwater Resources, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2024 - Company: [Westwater Resources, Inc.](/companies/wwr.md) (CIK 839470) - Form: 10-Q - Filed: 2024-05-14 - Accepted by EDGAR: May 14, 2024, 16:10 ET - Period: 2024-03-31 - Accession: 0001558370-24-008136 - Inline XBRL: yes - Main document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/839470/000155837024008136/wwr-20240331x10q.htm - All documents and exhibits: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/839470/000155837024008136/ ## Figures reported in this filing Standardized XBRL line items for the period ended 2024-03-31. | Line item | Period | Value | XBRL concept | | --- | --- | ---: | --- | | Research and development | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | $315.0k | us-gaap:ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense | | Net income | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | −$2.9m | us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss | | Diluted EPS | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | −$0.05 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted | | Basic EPS | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | −$0.05 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic | | Diluted shares (weighted) | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | 56,086,899 shares | us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding | | Operating cash flow | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | −$2.8m | us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | | Capital expenditure | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | $2.5m | us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets | | Cash and equivalents | at 2024-03-31 | $6.1m | us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue | | Current assets | at 2024-03-31 | $7.0m | us-gaap:AssetsCurrent | | Total assets | at 2024-03-31 | $147.2m | us-gaap:Assets | | Current liabilities | at 2024-03-31 | $7.3m | us-gaap:LiabilitiesCurrent | | Total liabilities | at 2024-03-31 | $8.9m | us-gaap:Liabilities | | Shareholders' equity | at 2024-03-31 | $138.3m | us-gaap:StockholdersEquity | ## Management's discussion and analysis As filed, 27,204 characters. The following management’s discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial results and financial condition of Westwater for the three months ended March 31, 2024 has been prepared based on information available to us as of May 14, 2024. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Interim Financial Statements and Notes thereto included herewith and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Westwater for the period ended December 31, 2023 and the related notes thereto included in our Annual Report, which were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This management’s discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth elsewhere in this report. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” herein. ### INTRODUCTION Westwater Resources, Inc., originally incorporated in 1977, is an energy technology company focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite materials through its two primary projects, the Kellyton Graphite Plant and the Coosa Graphite Deposit, both located in Coosa County, Alabama. Westwater expects the Kellyon Graphite Plant to process natural flake graphite and, based on current studies and estimates, produce 12,500 metric tons (“mt”) per year of CSPG in Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant, primarily for use in lithium-ion batteries. Westwater also holds mineral rights to explore and potentially mine the Coosa Graphite Deposit, which Westwater anticipates will eventually provide natural graphite flake concentrate to the Kellyton Graphite Plant. ### RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ### Increase in Phase I Planned Production During the first quarter of 2024, Westwater completed a debottlenecking study with its third-party engineering firm resulting in a 67% year-over-year increase in anticipated CSPG production for Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant. As a result of this study, Westwater now expects CSPG production of 12,500 mt per year for Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant. Total estimated construction costs related to Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant remain at approximately $271 million. ### Customer Engagement Update As previously announced, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company entered into the Procurement Agreement with SK On. Pursuant to the terms of the Procurement Agreement, Westwater will supply CSPG natural graphite anode products from its Kellyton Graphite Plant to SK On battery plants located within the U.S. Under the terms of the Procurement Agreement, SK On will be obligated to purchase, on an annual basis, a quantity of Product equal to a percentage of the forecasted volume required by SK On (the “Minimum Purchase Amount”), provided that the Minimum Purchase Amount may be increased from time to time by the mutual agreement of the parties. The forecasted volume required by SK On in the final year of the Procurement Agreement is 10,000 mt of CSPG. The Procurement Agreement is the result of Westwater and SK On’s collaboration pursuant to the JDA that was executed in the first quarter of 2023. Additionally, Westwater has signed general terms and conditions for a supply agreement with a North American automobile manufacturing company and is negotiating a possible offtake agreement with this company. Westwater continues to engage with these and other potential customers by providing samples of CSPG produced by the Company for testing and evaluation, hosting site tours of the Kellyton Graphite Plant, and having technical product development and commercial discussions. Feedback from certain potential customers indicates that Westwater’s material meets their initial specifications, and has resulted in the Company providing additional, or in some cases, larger product samples to these potential customers. ### Kellyton Graphite Plant – Construction Update During the first quarter of 2024, construction activities consisted of receipt of additional long-lead equipment components and installing equipment and structural steel. Westwater has constructed and is currently operating its R&D Lab. The R&D Lab allows Westwater to continue product development and optimization with potential customers, and to perform additional quality control tests. It also affords greater flexibility to optimize future samples in accordance with customer specifications. Since inception of the project, and inclusive of liabilities as of March 31, 2024, the Company has incurred costs of approximately $120.6 million related to construction activities for Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant. While the Company has continued construction activities related to Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant during the first quarter of 2024, Westwater has reduced the level of construction activity from anticipated levels, including adjusting the timing of future work, until receipt of the additional funding needed to complete construction of Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant, which is estimated at approximately $150 million. Reducing the level of construction activity until financing is secured is expected to impact the overall schedule to complete Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant. The Company expects to provide an update on construction timing once, and if, the additional funding is secured. ### Construction Financing Update Westwater is currently engaged in discussions with several entities related to financing of the Kellyton Graphite Plant. Issues in the market regarding the availability of critical minerals for battery products and the need for domestically sourced critical minerals, particularly in light of current geopolitical conditions, have helped create increased interest in the Kellyton Graphite Plant by potential financing sources. Management believes that the execution of one or more commercial agreements to sell some portion of its anticipated CSPG production, including the Procurement Agreement with SK On, will be a condition precedent to securing the financing needed to complete construction of the Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant. Even with the execution of commercial agreements to sell some portion of the Company’s anticipated CSPG production, no assurance can be given that additional financing will be available, or in amounts sufficient to meet its needs, or on terms acceptable to the Company. ### Coosa Graphite Deposit Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Alabama Graphite, Westwater holds mineral rights across 41,965 acres of the Alabama graphite belt in Coosa County, Alabama. During the fourth quarter of 2023, Westwater completed an IA, with an economic analysis for the Coosa Graphite Deposit. The IA was completed as a Technical Report Summary (“TRS”) disclosing Mineral Resources, including an economic analysis, for the Coosa Graphite Deposit, in accordance with S-K 1300. The TRS was completed on behalf of Westwater by SLR International Corporation (“SLR”) with an effective date of December 11, 2023, and filed with the SEC on Form 8-K on December 13, 2023. For further information regarding the IA and the Coosa Graphite Deposit, refer to Item 2, Properties, in the Annual Report. Westwater commenced a strategic financing review process for the Coosa Graphite Deposit in the first quarter of 2024. This strategic financing review process seeks to identify investment sources and partners for the Coosa Graphite Deposit, and may include review of strategic investment partners or other strategic transactions. ### Graphite and Vanadium as Critical Materials Presently, the United States is almost 100% dependent on imports for battery-grade graphite, which is currently the primary anode material in the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles, smartphones, and laptops, and store power generated from intermittent renewable energy sources. Westwater intends to process natural flake graphite into battery-grade graphite, primarily for lithium-ion batteries. Approximately 78% of natural graphite anode global supply comes from China (Benchmark, 2023). In addition, China is one of the largest global importers of natural graphite flake, relying on less expensive African sources. Both of these factors cause China to pose a geopolitical risk, particularly to the EU and U.S. China and the U.S. have imposed tariffs and export controls on critical minerals, including graphite, indicating the potential for further trade barriers between China and the United States. Effective December 1, 2023, China began requiring government approval for exports of two types of graphite products, including high-purity, high-hardness and high-intensity synthetic graphite material and natural flake graphite and its products. Westwater believes these export restrictions continue to highlight the supply-chain risk for the U.S. and other countries related to natural graphite products and could provide an opportunity for Westwater. On March 31, 2022, President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to encourage the domestic production of critical materials, including graphite, for advanced batteries for electric vehicles and clean energy storage. On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”). The IRA provides a 10% tax credit for the costs of producing certain critical minerals, including graphite and vanadium. This credit is eligible for direct pay and is also transferable to unrelated taxpayers. In addition, a key provision of the IRA that could indirectly benefit the Company is the Clean Vehicle credit. The IRA eliminates the previous limitation on the number of electric vehicles a manufacturer can sell before the Clean Vehicle credit is phased out or eliminated. Further, the IRA sets a minimum domestic content threshold for the percentage of the value of applicable critical minerals contained in the battery of the electric vehicles. Because Westwater intends to produce battery grade graphite for lithium-ion batteries to be used in electric vehicles in the United States, management believes the domestic content requirement could provide indirect future benefit to the Company. On May 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury Department”) adopted final regulations related to the Clean Vehicle Tax credit of $7,500 under section 30D of the Internal Revenue Code (the “federal electric vehicle tax credit”). The final rules effectuate the guidance previously provided in December 2023 by the Treasury Department related to the key requirements for federal clean vehicle tax credit. The final rules include a process – called the traced qualifying value test – for automakers to trace the battery supply chain to qualify for the federal electric vehicle tax credit's domestic content requirements, which critical minerals rule takes effect in 2025. The final rules also prohibit battery parts and critical minerals from “excluded entities” – defined as foreign entities of concern, or FEOCs – from qualifying for the federal electric vehicle tax credit. Under relevant Treasury Department and U.S. Department of Energy interpretive regulations regarding the scope and application of FEOC-related restrictions, the People’s Republic of China is identified as an FEOC. The final FEOC battery component rules are important to Westwater because beginning in 2027, any vehicle whose batteries contain graphite that was extracted or processed in any way, and to any degree, by an FEOC – including China – will be ruled ineligible for the federal electric vehicle tax credit. As a result, an FEOC must be excluded from a vehicle battery’s supply chain in order for the vehicle to be eligible for the federal electric vehicle tax credit. Because Westwater is not an FEOC and intends to produce battery grade graphite for lithium-ion batteries to be used in electric vehicles in the United States, management believes its future production of battery-graphite products will meet the domestic content requirements of the IRA, which we anticipate will provide indirect future benefit to the Company. Westwater has developed graphite-purification technology and advanced product-development processes designed to meet the demands of potential customers for battery-grade graphite materials. Westwater is developing methodologies and constructing facilities intended to produce high purity, battery-grade graphite products at its Kellyton Graphite Plant. These products are being designed to serve all major battery sectors. In addition, we believe the processes we intend to use are environmentally sustainable and permittable in the United States, where a robust regulatory environment complements our core values to reliably deliver safe, well-made products to our customers. Westwater has and will continue to support the efforts by the relevant United States governmental agencies, the State of Alabama and local municipalities to ensure that they remain aware of the importance of natural battery-grade graphite, its importance to the nation’s security, and how the Kellyton Graphite Plant and the Coosa Graphite Deposit fit into the critical minerals-equation. ### Equity Financings #### Capital Raises during the three months ended March 31, 2024 During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company sold 1.2 million shares of common stock for net proceeds of $0.6 million pursuant to the ATM Offering Agreement. See *Note 4* to the Interim Financial Statements for additional information. ### RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ### Summary Our net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $2.9 million, or $0.05 per share, as compared with a net loss of $2.4 million, or $0.05 per share for the same period in 2023. The $0.5 million increase in our net loss was due primarily to higher costs related to general and administrative expenses and less interest income; partially offset by less product development expense. ### Product Development Expenses Product development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024, were $0.3 million, a decrease of $0.2 million compared to the same period in 2023. Product development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, related primarily to sample production of battery-grade natural graphite products for evaluation by potential customers. Since the third quarter of 2023, the Company has utilized its in-house R&D Lab for sample processing, resulting in lower costs for each batch of samples produced. ### Exploration Expenses Exploration expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreased slightly compared to the same quarter in 2023, due to lower personnel costs. ### General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $2.6 million, an increase of $0.2 million compared to the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to $0.4 million higher stock compensation expense resulting primarily from $0.3 million of stock award forfeitures in the first quarter of 2023. The impact of the increase in stock compensation expense was partially offset by an upfront $0.2 million advisory fee, which was incurred in the first quarter of 2023 and related to seeking funding for Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant. ### Other Income, net Other income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreased by $0.5 million compared to the same period in 2023, due to a lower average cash balance during the first quarter of 2024 resulting in less interest income earned. ### FINANCIAL POSITION ### Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities of $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, represents a decrease of $0.2 million compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in cash used in operating activities was primarily due to $0.9 million less purchases of raw material inventory, partially offset by $0.5 million less interest income during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023. The remaining offset was due to other changes in working capital. ### Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $31.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease was a result of lower capital expenditures as the Company reduces construction activity while working to put additional financing in place to fund the construction of Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant. ### Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities decreased by $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to fewer shares of common stock sold under the ATM Offering Agreement, lower trading volumes, and lower average stock prices during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. ### LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Since 2009, the Company has not recorded revenue from operations and, as of March 31, 2024, current liabilities exceeded current assets. As such, Westwater is subject to all of the risks associated with development stage companies. Management expects to continue to incur cash losses as a result of construction activity at the Kellyton Graphite Plant and general and administrative expenses until operations commence at the Kellyton Graphite Plant. Operations at the Kellyton Graphite Plant are dependent on securing the additional funding needed to complete construction of Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant. The Company has relied on equity and debt financings and asset sales to fund its operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, and through the date that the Interim Financial Statement were issued, the Company continued construction activities related to the Kellyton Graphite Plant. However, while the Company has continued certain construction activities related to Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant, those activities have been significantly reduced from anticipated levels until the additional funding needed to complete Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant is in place. The Company’s construction related contracts include termination provisions at the Company’s election that do not obligate the Company to make payments beyond what is incurred by the third-party service provider through the date of such termination. In its going concern analysis, the Company considered construction activity and related costs through the date that the Interim Financial Statements were issued. Based on this analysis and excluding potential external funding opportunities and the Company’s current equity facility, the Company’s planned non-discretionary expenditures for one year past the issue date of these Interim Financial Statements, exceed the cash on hand as of the date of these Interim Financial Statements. On March 31, 2024, the Company’s cash balance was approximately $6.1 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company sold 1.2 million shares of common stock for net proceeds of $0.6 million pursuant to the ATM Offering Agreement. As of March 31, 2024, the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to approximately $6.5 million under the ATM Offering Agreement. The Company expects to continue to incur losses as a result of costs and expenses related to construction activity and ongoing general and administrative expenses until operations commence at the Kellyton Graphite Plant. The Company has historically relied and expects to continue to rely, on debt and equity financing to fund its operations and business plan. Along with evaluating the continued use of the ATM Offering Agreement, the Company is considering other forms of project financing to fund the construction of the Kellyton Graphite Plant, including both Phase I and Phase II. The alternative sources of project financing could include, but are not limited to, project debt, convertible debt, or pursuing a partnership or joint venture. If funds are not available to fund the construction of Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant through the equity markets or alternative financing sources, the Company may be required to reduce or severely curtail operations, change its planned business development strategies related to the Coosa Graphite Deposit and Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant, alter the construction and commissioning timeline of Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant, or put the construction of Phase I on hold until additional funding is obtained. If the Company is required to abandon construction and development or alter its intended long-term plans related the Kellyton Graphite Plant, the Company could be required to evaluate the recoverability of its long-lived assets. While the Company has advanced its business plan and has been successful in the past raising funds through equity and debt financings as well as through the sale of non-core assets, no assurance can be given that additional financing will be available in amounts sufficient to meet its needs, or on terms acceptable to the Company. Recent volatility in the equity and debt capital markets, rising interest rates, inflation, electric vehicle production and adoption rates, generally uncertain economic conditions and regulatory policy/enforcement, and unstable geopolitical conditions could significantly impact the Company’s ability to access the necessary funding to advance its business plan. Further, on March 13, 2023, the Company filed a prospectus supplement to the Registration Statement and as a result, the Company’s access to the available capacity under the Registration Statement is subject to General Instructions I.B.6 of Form S-3, which limits the amounts that the Company may sell under the Registration Statement. As of March 31, 2024, after giving effect to these limitations and the public float of our common stock as of the date of the Annual Report, and after giving effect to the terms of the ATM Offering Agreement, we currently may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to approximately $6.5 million under the ATM Offering Agreement, which amount is in addition to the shares of common stock that we have sold to date in accordance with the ATM Offering Agreement under the Registration Statement and prospectus supplements thereto. If our public float increases such that we may sell additional amounts under the ATM Offering Agreement and the Registration Statement, we will file another prospectus supplement prior to making additional sales. In addition, the Company’s existing Registration Statement will expire in July of 2024. We will be required to file a new Registration Statement with the SEC, and have that Registration Statement declared effective, in order to continue ATM sales after the expiration of the current Registration Statement. ### OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS We have no off-balance sheet arrangements. ### CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this report are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projections or estimates contained herein. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the adequacy of funding, liquidity, access to capital, financing activities, the timing or occurrence of any future drilling or production from the Company’s properties, economic conditions, the strategic goals of the business, costs of any phase of development or operational line at the Kellyton Graphite Plant and estimated construction and commissioning timelines and completion dates, the start date for the mining of the Coosa Graphite Deposit, and the Company’s anticipated cash burn rate and capital requirements. Words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “forecast,” “potential,” “intend,” “continue,” “project,” “target” and variations of these words, comparable words and similar expressions generally indicate forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, among others: - the spot price and long-term contract price of graphite (both flake graphite feedstock and purified graphite products) and vanadium, and the world-wide supply and demand of graphite and vanadium; - the effects, extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets in which we operate; - our ability to obtain contracts or other agreements with customers; - available sources and transportation of graphite feedstock; - the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns during the development, construction and operation of the Kellyton Graphite Plant; - the ability to construct and operate the Kellyton Graphite Plant in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses and the requirements of tax credits and other incentives; - the effects of inflation, including labor shortages and supply chain disruptions; - rising interest rates and the associated impact on the availability and cost of financing sources; - the availability and supply of equipment and materials needed to construct the Kellyton Graphite Plant; - stock price volatility; - government regulation of the mining and manufacturing industries in the United States; - unanticipated geopolitical, geological, processing, regulatory and legal or other problems we may encounter; - the results of our exploration activities, and the possibility that future exploration results may be materially less promising than initial exploration results; - any graphite or vanadium discoveries not being in high enough concentration to make it economic to extract the minerals; - our ability to finance growth plans; - our ability to obtain and maintain rights of ownership or access to our mining properties; - currently pending or new litigation or arbitration; and - our ability to maintain and timely receive mining, manufacturing, and other permits from regulatory agencies. In addition, other factors are described in our Annual Report, and the other reports we file with the SEC. Most of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth herein, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements made herein, except as required by law. ## Controls and procedures As filed, 1,769 characters. ### Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its filings with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management has recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the Company’s controls and procedures. During the fiscal period covered by this report, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2024. ### Changes in Internal Controls There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2024, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. ## Risk factors As filed, 296 characters. An investment in our common stock involves various risks. When considering an investment in us, careful consideration should be given to the risk factors discussed in *Risk Factors in Item 1A* in our Annual Report. There are no material changes to the risk factors described in our Annual Report. Filed May 14, 2024. Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001558370-24-008136. Last ingested by Listed: Oct 24, 2026, 14:58 ET. No prices; not investment advice.