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, laptops, and store power generated from intermittent renewable energy sources. Westwater intends to process natural flake graphite into battery-grade graphite for all types of batteries including Lithium-ion batteries.
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 May 2, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) released Funding Opportunity Announcement (“FOA”) No. DE-FOA-0002678, entitled Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing. The intent of this FOA is to ensure that the U.S. has a viable battery materials processing industry, to expand capabilities in advanced battery manufacturing, and to enhance domestic processing capacity of minerals, such as graphite, necessary for advanced batteries. Under this FOA, the DOE expects to provide approximately $3.1 billion to fund investments within the electric vehicle battery supply chain and increase domestic battery manufacturing. Westwater has engaged expert advisors to assist the Company in evaluating the FOA to determine the benefit, if any, to the Company and its shareholders, as well as monitor other DOE initiatives related to critical minerals. While the FOA has been issued, there can be no guarantee that Westwater will qualify or be able to obtain access to such funding.
Westwater has and will continue to support the efforts by the relevant United States governmental agencies 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 three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company sold 4.4 million and 11.8 million shares of common stock for net proceeds of $9.0 million and $24.5 million, respectfully, pursuant to the ATM Offering Agreement, resulting in a cash balance of approximately $109.0 million at June 30, 2022. The 4.4 million shares sold during the three months ended June 30, 2022, and the related net cash proceeds received occurred during the first week of April 2022.
See Note 4 to the financial statements for additional information.
Changes in the Executive Team
On June 20, 2022, the Board of Directors of Westwater accepted the decision of Jeffrey L. Vigil, currently serving as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President – Finance for Westwater, to retire effective August 26, 2022. As part of a thoughtful and planned succession strategy, on June 20, 2022, the Board of Directors elected Steven M. Cates, currently serving as Chief Accounting Officer and Controller for Westwater, as its new Chief Financial Officer and Vice President – Finance effective August 26, 2022.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Summary
Our net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022, was $3.2 million, or $0.07 per share, as compared with a net loss of $3.5 million, or $0.11 per share for the same period in 2021. The $0.3 million decrease in our net loss was due primarily to lower product development and exploration costs; offset partially by no unrealized gain on equity securities, which were sold in the fourth quarter of 2021 and increases in general and administrative expenses.
Our net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022, was $6.0 million, or $0.14 per share, as compared with a net loss of $8.9 million, or $0.29 per share for the same period in 2021. The $2.9 million decrease in our net loss was due primarily to decreases in product development expenses, arbitration costs, and exploration expenses; offset partially by no