Masan High-Tech Materials (MHT) revenue saw an improvement of VND74 billion ($2.9 million) in the third quarter thanks to the continuous increase in tungsten and copper sales.

Tungsten revenue increased 2 per cent from third-party customers mainly due to higher realised selling price, especially for the sales recognised in the second and third quarters when market price increased to $325-$335 per metric ton units.

Copper revenues continued to improve with revenue of VND670 billion ($26.4 million) for the first nine months with increasing sales to local customers which contributed significant improvement to the company cashflow.

As of 30 September 2024, the market value of the copper stockpile at Nui Phao Mining Company amounted to nearly $92 million, creating momentum for the company to make a business breakthrough in the last quarter of the year.

Some of the copper and fluorspar shipments planned in September were delayed to early October due to flooding caused by typhoon Yagi. The total revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation impact of those shipments were $8.9 million and $6.1 million respectively but will be realised in the fourth quarter.

In July 2024, Masan High-Tech Materials signed an MoU with Fluorine Korea and Traxys North America LLC to ensure the stable supply of acid-grade fluorspar to Fluorine Korea’s AHF plant in Ulsan, South Korea. According to the MOU, Nui Phao Mining will make available a stable supply of acid-grade fluorspar of up to 70,000 tonnes per year, to Fluorine Korea’s AHF plant, expected to be operational by 2026.

The company also successfully finalised the contract with new mining and blast hole drilling contractor in the third quarter and expects to achieve up to 10 per cent reduction in terms of mining cost compared to the prior contracts. This new contractor started working in August 2024 and expected to ramp up production significantly in the fourth quarter of the year.

In addition, Masan High-Tech Materials promotes sustainable production and business activities through the "Fit for Future"programme, in which new initiatives are implemented to reduce costs, improve business efficiency and financial results.

Technological advancements and automation solutions implemented across its plants also assist the company in cost control and productivity enhancement, thus ensuring stable output and operational efficiency despite fluctuations in raw material costs and disruptions in the global supply chain.

Reaping rewards

Notably, MHT announced the signing of definitive agreements with Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (MMC) Group on 30 May 2024, in which MMC will acquire of 100 per cent of HCS from MHT for equity purchase price of $134.5 million. It is expected the transaction will close within the fourth quarter upon receiving approval from relevant governmental authorities.

Masan is expected to report a one-time profit gain of approximately $40 million as a result of the transaction and benefit from long-term net profit after tax of $20-30 million. This is an important strategic move to help Masan High-Tech Materials strengthen its financial situation and increase its ability to invest in new projects.

Masan will retain potential monetary upside from future commercialisation of black mass recycling technology developed by H.C. Starck. At the same time, the two parties will continue a long-term, win-win APT and tungsten oxide offtake agreement, contributing to revenue stability for Masan High-Tech Materials going forward.

Positive signals from the market

The international commodity market is brimming with optimism. Recent interest rate cuts in the US and Europe have injected fresh momentum into production and consumption. Simultaneously, demand for strategic metals has surged, particularly in high-tech industrial sectors like electronics, renewable energy, anddefencee.

At the same time, China's tightened export controls on critical minerals, including silver, copper, and tungsten, have driven prices to new highs. This policy shift has also spurred European nations and the US to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on China. This context presentst significant opportunities for Masan High-Tech Materials, which owns Nui Phao mine - the world's second-largest tungsten mine outside China, to hold a pivotal role in the global high-tech materials supply chain.

The above market developments are creating favourablee conditions for Masan High-Tech Materials to realise its 2024 revenue target of $590 million to $622 million. With the steady growth in global tungsten demand, MHT is on track for impressive business performance by year-end, paving the way for long-term value creation for shareholders and stakeholders alike.