UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________________________
FORM 20-F
______________________________
| REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
OR
| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED December 31 , 2023
OR
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
OR
| SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
Date of event requiring this shell company report ________________
For the transition period from______________________________ to ______________________________
Commission file number: 001-38262
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ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
______________________________
| LOMA NEGRA CORPORATION | |||||
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English) | (Jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization) | ||||
Zip Code C1107CPG – Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
(Address of principal executive offices)
Zip Code C1107CPG – Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
Tel: 54-11 -4319-3048
Email: mgradin@lomanegra.com
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
*Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares pursuant to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
The total number of issued and outstanding shares of each class of stock of Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina S.A. as of December 31, 2023 was:
______________________________
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes o No x
Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
| Large accelerated filer | o | x | Non-accelerated filer | o | Emerging growth company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
†The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. x
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). o
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
| U.S. GAAP | o | Accounting Standards Board x | Other | o | ||||||||||||||||||||||
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17 o Item 18 o
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes o No o
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
Certain Defined Terms
In this annual report, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires:
•all references to “Loma Negra”, “our company”, "the Group", “we”, “our”, “ours”, and “us”, or similar terms are to the registrant, Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima, a corporation organized as a Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima under the laws of Argentina, and its consolidated subsidiaries;
•all references to “our controlling shareholder” or to the “InterCement Group” are to InterCement Participações S.A. and its subsidiaries;
•all references to the “InterCement Brasil” are to InterCement Brasil S.A.;
•all references to “Yguazú Cementos” are to Yguazú Cementos S.A.;
•all references to the “Guaraní”, “Guaraníes” or “G.” are to the Paraguayan guaraní, the official currency of the Republic of Paraguay;
•all references to “Cofesur” are to Cofesur S.A.U.;
•all references to “Ferrosur” or “Ferrosur Roca” are to Ferrosur Roca S.A.;
•all references to “Recycomb” are to Recycomb S.A.U.;
•all references to “Argentina” are to the Republic of Argentina;
•all references to “Paraguay” are to the Republic of Paraguay;
•all references to the “Argentine government” or the “government” are to the federal government of Argentina;
•all references to the “BCRA” or “Argentine Central Bank” are to the Argentine Central Bank (Banco Central de la República Argentina);
•all references to the “FACPCE” are to the Argentine Federation of Professional Councils of Economic Sciences (Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas);
•all references to “CNV” refers to the Argentine securities regulator (Comisión Nacional de Valores);
•all references to “U.S. dollars”, “dollars” or “US$” are to U.S. dollars;
•all references to the “peso”, “pesos” or “Ps.” are to the Argentine peso,the official currency of Argentina;
•all references to “IFRS” are to International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or the IASB;
• all references to the “ITL” are to the Income Tax Law effective in Argentina; and
•all references to “AFCP” are to the Argentine National Association of Portland Cement Producers (Asociación de Fabricantes de Cementos Portland).
All references in this annual report to “tons” shall also include “metric tons” References to “dmt” are to dry metric ton. References to “kt” shall mean “kiloton”, equivalent to 1,000 tons. The term “MW” and “GW” refers to megawatt and gigawatt, respectively, and the term “GWh” refers to gigawatt hours. The term “m3” refers to cubic meter, and “kcal/kg” to kilocalories per kilogram. The term “FOB” refers to the Incoterm “Free on board”.
Financial Statements
We maintain our books and records in constant pesos, the presentation currency for our consolidated financial statements and also the functional currency of our operations in Argentina. We have prepared our annual audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB. Unless otherwise noted, our financial information presented herein as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is stated in pesos, our reporting currency.
This annual report includes our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, together with the notes thereto, or “our audited consolidated financial statements”. All references herein to “our financial statements”, “our audited consolidated financial information”,
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and “our audited consolidated financial statements”, are to or derived from our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
Our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, comprehensively recognize the effects of variations in the purchasing power of currency through the application of the method to restate financial statements in constant currency established by the International Accounting Standard 29, or IAS 29, as Argentina is considered a hyperinflationary economy starting July 1, 2018.
Financial information presented in constant currency
IAS 29, Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies (“IAS 29”) requires that the financial statements of an entity whose functional currency is one of a hyperinflationary economy be measured in terms of the current unit of measurement at the closing date of the financial statements, regardless of whether they are based on the historical cost method or the current cost method. This requirement also includes the comparative information of the financial statements.
In order to conclude that an economy is “hyperinflationary,” IAS 29 outlines a series of factors, including the existence of an accumulated inflation rate in three years that is approximately or exceeds 100%. As of December 31, 2018, Argentina reported a cumulative three-year inflation rate greater than 100% and therefore financial information published as from that date should be adjusted for inflation in accordance with IAS 29. The inflation of the subsequent fiscal years continues to be high and above the 100% accumulated inflation trend for three consecutive years. Therefore, our audited consolidated financial statements and the financial information included in this annual report have been stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the end of the reporting year.
In accordance with IAS 29, the amounts in the financial statements that have not been stated in constant currency as of the end of the reporting period must be restated by application of a general price index. To that end and in the manner established in FACPCE’s Resolution JG No. 539/18, coefficients have been applied that are calculated on the basis of indices published by the FACPCE, resulting from combining national the consumer prices index (Índice de Precios al Consumidor—IPC), or CPI, published by the Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos (the National Statistics and Census Institute), or INDEC, starting on January 1, 2017 and, looking back, domestic wholesale prices index (Índice de Precios Internos al por Mayor—IPIM), or WPI, published by the INDEC or, if none is available, consumer price indices published by the General Directorate of Statistics and Censuses in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. The variation in the index applied to restate our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was 211.4%, 94.8% and 50.9%, respectively.
Market Data and Other Information
We obtained the market and competitive position data, including market forecasts, used throughout this annual report from internal surveys, market research, publicly available information and industry publications. We include data from reports prepared by ourselves; the Argentine National Association of Portland Cement Producers (Asociación de Fabricantes de Cementos Portland), or AFCP; the BCRA; the INDEC (the only institution in Argentina with the statutory authority to produce official nationwide statistics); and the International Monetary Fund, or IMF.
INDEC reported that the CPI increase was 50.9%, 94.8% and 211.4% for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively. INDEC has also published inflation figures for the WPI for the year ended December 31, 2021, reporting an increase of 51.3%, for year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of 94.8%, and for year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of 276.4%.
See “Item 3.D Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Argentina—If the current levels of inflation do not decrease, the Argentine economy could be adversely affected, negatively impacting our results of operations and margins”. Industry publications generally state that the information presented therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the industry data presented herein, estimates and forecasts involve uncertainties and risks and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the headings “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 3.D Key Information—Risk Factors” in this annual report.
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Rounding
We have made rounding adjustments to reach some of the figures included in this annual report. As a result, numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that preceded them.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS SUMMARY
We make forward-looking statements in this annual report within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “believe”, “may”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “should”, “would”, “could,” “plan”, “expect”, “predict”, “potential”, “seek”, “likely,” “forecast”, or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include the principal risks relating to the company and its business described in “Part I, Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors,” which are also summarized below:
•general economic, political and business conditions, in Argentina, including government policies and as a result of the new government which took office in December 2023;
•inflation, fiscal deficit, the devaluation of the peso and exchange rate risks in Argentina;
•restrictions on the ability to exchange peso into foreign currencies and transfer funds abroad;
•implementation of additional exchange controls and restrictions on capital inflows that limit credit availability;
•government intervention in the Argentine economy;
•developments in markets outside of Argentina that may indirectly affect the Argentine economy;
•the cyclical nature of the cement industry;
•the competitive nature of the industry in which we operate;
•construction activity levels, particularly in the markets in which we operate;
•price volatility of the raw materials we sell or purchase to use in our business;
•the cost and availability of financing;
•energy costs and shortages of electricity and government responses to them;
•global economic, political and social conditions and their impact on, including the military conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as well as the potential outbreaks of communicable diseases around the world, and their impacts on the global economy and consumer spending patterns, particularly in energy costs;
•developments and perception of risks in other countries, including bank liquidity crises, such as those experienced by Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, First Republic Bank and Credit Suisse in March 2023;
•transportation, storage and distribution costs;
•our direction and future operation and implementation of our principal operating strategies;
•the implementation of our financing strategy and capital expenditure plans;
•our level of capitalization, including the levels of our indebtedness and overall leverage;
•legal and administrative proceedings to which we are or become party (individually or jointly with our controlling shareholder);
•existing and future governmental regulations, and our compliance therewith, including tax, labor, antitrust, pension and environmental laws and regulations in Argentina;
•the estimation mistakes about the state of our mines and mineral reserves;
•operational risks and insurance costs;
•risk related with cybersecurity events, including potential cyberattacks;
•private investment and public spending in construction projects;
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•early termination of our public concession;
•industry trends and the general level of demand for, and change in the market prices of, our products and services;
•market volatility and fluctuation of the price of our ADS; and
•ongoing costs and risks associated with compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
The preceding list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all of our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of future performance, taking into account the information currently available to us, and speak only as of the date thereof. These statements are only predictions based upon our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In particular, you should consider the numerous risks provided under “Item 3.D Key Information—Risk Factors” in this annual report.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this annual report to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.
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PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
A.Directors and Senior Management
Not applicable.
B.Advisers
Not applicable.
C.Auditors
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
A.Offer Statistics
Not applicable.
B.Method and Expected Timetable
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
A.[Reserved]
B.Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C.Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D.Risk Factors
Our business faces significant risks. You should consider carefully the risks described below and all other information contained in this annual report. If any of the following risks were to occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations would likely be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our ordinary shares or American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, would likely decline and you might lose all or part of your investment. The following risks are not the only risks that we face; we are subject to various risks mainly resulting from changing economic, environmental, political, industry, business, financial and climate conditions. Our results could materially differ from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, as a result of certain factors including the risks described below and elsewhere in this annual report and our other SEC filings. See also “Cautionary Statement with Respect to Forward-Looking Statements”.
For purposes of this section, the indication that a risk, uncertainty or problem may or will have a “material adverse effect on us” or that we may experience a “material adverse effect” means that the risk, uncertainty or problem could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations and/or the market price of our ordinary shares or ADSs, except as otherwise indicated or as the context may otherwise require. You should view similar expressions in this section as having a similar meaning.
Risks Relating to Argentina
Most of our operations, property and customers are located in Argentina and a portion of our liabilities and assets are denominated in foreign currency. Consequently, the quality of our assets, property status and our results of operations depend on the macroeconomics, regulatory, social and political conditions of Argentina and on the exchange
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rates between the peso and foreign currencies, in particular, the U.S. dollar. These conditions include growth rates, inflation rates, exchange rates, taxes, foreign exchange controls, changes in the interest rates, changes of the state policies, social instability and other domestic and international political and economic events that may take place in Argentina or may affect it.
Investing in a developing economy such as Argentina entails certain inherent risks.
Argentina is a developing economy and investing in such markets generally carries risks. These risks include political, social and economic instability that may affect Argentina’s economic condition. In the past, instability in Argentina was caused by many different factors, including the following:
•aggravation of a financial crisis in several countries in the region;
•abrupt changes in the monetary and fiscal policies of countries with prominent economies due to macroeconomic conditions;
•increase in public expenses affecting the economy and fiscal deficits;
•inconsistent fiscal and monetary policies;
•uncertainty with respect to the Argentine public sector’s payment capacity and the potential for obtaining international financing;
•low levels of investment;
•changes in governmental economic or tax policies;
•high levels of inflation;
•abrupt changes in currency values;
•high interest rates;
•wage increases and price controls;
•exchange and capital controls;
•political and social unrest;
•the growing effects of labor unions;
•the significant price drop of main commodities exported by Argentina;
•fluctuations in the BCRA reserves;
•widespread illnesses or epidemics; and
•restrictions on exports and imports.
Any of the above factors either individually or taken together, could have material adverse effects on the Argentine economy and on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Argentine economy has experienced extreme volatility in the recent decades, with uneven periods of economic growth, high inflation and devaluation of the peso against the U.S. dollar. Therefore, our business and operations may be affected by the economic and political events that may affect the Argentine economy, such as: price controls, foreign exchange controls, currency devaluations, high interest rates, increase in public expenses, tax increase or other regulatory initiatives that increase the Argentine government’s intervention in the economy.
On September 1, 2019 the Argentine government reintroduced strong restrictions and exchange controls, which, among other things, significantly restricted access to the exchange markets by individuals and entities and that remain effective as of the date of this annual report. See “Item 10.-D Exchange Controls.”.
The Social Solidarity and Productive Reactivation Law No. 27,541, enacted in December 2019, and its regulatory Decree No. 99/2019 (the “Social Solidarity Law”), as amended from time to time, introduced important additional foreign exchange restrictions and tax modifications.
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During 2021 there was a recovery of the economic activity (after the impact of COVID-19 in 2020) reflected in the 10.7% GDP growth, and this positive trend continued in 2022, with 5.0% GDP growth. Nevertheless, in 2023 the GDP decreased by 1.6%.
To contain the escalation of the currency exchange rate, the Argentine Central Bank has been selling its reserves of U.S. dollars, which has resulted in a decrease in the Argentine Central Bank’s international reserves from US$65.7 billion as of December 31, 2018, to US$29.2 billion as of April 15, 2024. Since Javier Milei took office in December 2023, the BCRA had bought approximately US$ 10.7 million by the end of March 2024.
In 2018, the IMF´s executive board approved the Stand-By Agreement with the Argentina government, which involved the disbursement of US$ 44 billion. On January 28, 2022, the IMF and the Argentine Government reached an understanding to restructure the current debt with the IMF though an Extended Fund Facility Arrangement which was approved by the IMF’s executive board on March 3, 2022, and approved by the Argentine Congress on March 17, 2022. Ultimately, the Extended Fund Facility Arrangement was approved definitely by the IMF´s executive board on March 25, 2022. The Extended Fund Facility Arrangement seeks to continue creating the necessary stability conditions to address existing structural challenges and to strengthen the foundations for sustainable and inclusive growth. In accordance to the Extended Fund Facility Arrangement, Argentina will be paying its debt from 2026 to 2034. As of the date of this annual report, the Argentine authorities and IMF staff have reached staff-level agreement on the fourth review under the Extended Fund Facility Arrangement. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF´s executive board, which is expected to meet in the coming weeks. Upon completion of the review, Argentina will have access to about US$5.3 billion, bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to about US$28.8 billion.
In this regard, by means of a press release dated February 1, 2024, the IMF announced that the executive board conducted the seventh review of the agreement with Argentina and approved a seventh immediate disbursement of approximately US$ 4.7 billion, bringing total disbursements under the agreement to approximately US$ 40.6 billion.The Staff-Level Agreement aims at lowering the fiscal deficit, inflation and subsidies, among others, with the goal of promoting the necessary stability conditions to address existing structural challenges and to strengthen the foundations for sustainable and inclusive growth. The IMF in its report dated April 16, 2024 projects that Argentina's GDP will fall by 2.8% in 2024 and grow by 5% the following year. They estimate a year-on-year inflation of 149.4% for 2024 and 45% for 2025.
On December 10, 2023, Javier Milei assumed as President of Argentina. In the first days of his mandate, the new government launched a set of policies aimed to deregulate the economy to address the economic and social crisis. On December 20, 2023, through the Decree of Necessity and Urgency No. 70/2023, the Executive Branch declared the public emergency in economic, financial, fiscal, administrative, social security, tariff, sanitary and social matters until December 31, 2025. This regulation included numerous amendments and repeals of several laws. The measures include, but are not limited to, the repeal of regulations on housing rental contracts, the supply of essential products, the marketing of mass consumption products, the corporate form of companies where the State has participation has been modified, among other. These measures must still be approved, modified or rejected by Congress.
A decline in international demand for Argentine products, a lack of stability and competitiveness of the peso against other currencies, a decline in confidence among consumers and foreign and domestic investors, a higher rate of inflation and future political uncertainties, adverse climate conditions affecting agriculture, among other factors, may continue to adversely affect the development of the Argentine economy, which could lead to a reduced demand for our products and services and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If current levels of fiscal deficits are not reduced, the Argentine economy could be adversely affected, negatively impacting our business and results of operation.
In the past, Argentina has had important macroeconomic imbalances, including frequent and critical fiscal deficits. The Argentine government has had yearly fiscal deficit during approximately 90% of the period comprising 1961 to 2022 (48 years out of 53), which has led to very vulnerable macroeconomic conditions. The Argentine government has financed its fiscal deficit mainly in two ways: (i) by issuing foreign debt, which has historically led to rapid increments in national debt levels; and (ii) by monetary emission through the BCRA, which has led to periods of high inflation and, even in some cases, hyperinflation. The fiscal deficit reached 3% of the GDP in 2021, 2.4% of the GDP in 2022 and 2.9% of the GDP in 2023.
Failing to reduce fiscal deficits could lead to growing levels of uncertainty regarding Argentina’s macroeconomic conditions. In particular, it could lead to growing inflation rates and unanticipated foreign exchange depreciation and balance of payments crisis, higher local vulnerability to international credit crisis or geopolitical shocks,
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higher interest rates and erratic monetary policies, a reduction in real salaries and as a consequence, in private consumption, and a reduction in growth rates. This level of uncertainty, over which we have no control, may adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.
If the current levels of inflation do not decrease, the Argentine economy could be adversely affected, negatively impacting our results of operations and margins.
Historically, inflation has materially undermined the Argentine economy and the Argentine government’s ability to create conditions for long-term economic growth. In recent years, Argentina has experienced high inflation rates.
Since 2008, the Argentine economy has been subject to strong inflationary pressures that, according to private sector analysts, reached an average annual rate of 28.2% between 2010 and 2015. In December 2015, the new administration suspended the publication of indexes and statistics and, after implementing certain methodological reforms and adjusting certain macroeconomic statistics, resumed its publication of the CPI in June 2016. Based on the new and revised information provided by INDEC, inflation reached an annual rate of 50.9% in 2021, 94.8% in 2022 and 211.4% in 2023.
The Argentine government has implemented programs to control inflation and monitor prices for essential goods and services, including attempts to freeze the price of certain supermarket products by means of price support arrangements between the government and the private sector. These programs, however, do not address the structural causes for Argentina’s inflation and, consequently, failed to reduce inflation.
The government reported a primary fiscal deficit of 3% in 2021, 2.4% in 2022 and 2.9% in 2023. In this regard, the new government aim to reach a primary surplus of 2% of GDP in 2024.
The preceding administration under the leadership of President Alberto Fernández implemented a series of strategies aimed at curbing inflation. These strategies encompassed the establishment of price ceilings on essential goods within the basic food basket to shield consumers from the volatility of market prices. Additionally, the government imposed limitations on the export of goods to ensure domestic availability and stabilize prices. Furthermore, regulations were introduced to facilitate the placement of products from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on supermarket shelves, thereby promoting market competition and providing SMEs with greater access to consumers.
Controlling inflation remains a challenge for Argentina. If the Argentine government fails to address Argentina’s structural inflationary imbalance, the current levels of inflation may continue to rise, which may have an adverse effect on Argentina’s economy.
High inflation rates affect Argentina’s foreign competitiveness, increase social and economic inequality, negatively impact employment, consumption and the level of economic activity, and undermine confidence in Argentina’s banking system, which could further limit the availability of and access by local companies to domestic and international credit.
Inflation in Argentina has contributed to a material increase in our costs of operation, in particular labor costs; it also enables a reduction in the purchasing power of the population, thus increasing the risk of a lower level of product consumption from our customers in Argentina, which could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations. Inflation rates could continue to grow in the future, and there is uncertainty regarding the effects that any measures adopted by the government could have to control inflation.
Our financial statements are required to apply inflationary adjustments.
IAS 29 (Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies) requires that financial statements of any entity, whose functional currency is the currency of a hyperinflationary economy, whether based on the historical cost method or on the current cost method, be stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the end of the reporting period.
Similarly, Argentine Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“Argentine GAAP”) (Technical Resolutions No. 17, 39 and 41 (“TR 17”) also requires the adjustment of financial statements to reflect the changes in general price index in the context of hyperinflation.
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In June 2018, the International Practices Task Force of the Centre for Quality, which monitors “highly inflationary countries.” categorized Argentina as a hyperinflationary economy and on September 2018, the Argentine Federation of Economic Sciences Professionals Bodies (Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas), also stated that the adjustment to reflect inflation should be applied to all Argentine companies’ financial statements for periods ending on or after July 1, 2018. Therefore, Argentine companies using IFRS are required to apply IAS 29 to their financial statements for periods ending since July 1, 2018.
Adjustments to reflect inflation, such as those required by IAS 29 was prohibited by law No. 23,928. Additionally, Decree No. 664/03, issued by the Argentine government, instructed regulatory authorities, such as the CNV, to accept only financial statements that comply with the prohibition set forth by the Law 23,928. However, on December 4, 2018, Law 27,468 abrogated Decree No. 664/03 and amended Law 23,928 eliminating the prohibition of indexation on financial statements. According to the foregoing, on December 26, 2018, the CNV admitted the adjustments to reflect inflation under IAS 29 for the periods ending on and after December 31, 2018.
Also, for the first two fiscal years started on 01/01/2019 onwards (2019 and 2020, for taxpayers with fiscal year end on December 31 of each year) the inflation adjustment for monetary assets and liabilities for income tax purposes was triggered; however, the Law No. 27,541 established that the income or loss arising from this tax indexation procedure corresponding to fiscal periods 2019 and 2020 must be proportionally allocated in a six-year period.
As a result, beginning with the period ending on December 31, 2018, we and our Argentine subsidiaries prepare financial statements in compliance with IFRS or Argentine GAAP, adopting IAS 29 and TR 17 for regulatory purposes in Argentina. See “Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Principal Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations—Inflation”.
We cannot predict the full future impact that the application of IAS 29 and the eventual future application of the tax indexation procedure and related adjustments will have on our and our Argentine subsidiaries’ financial statements or the effects on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Regarding fiscal year 2021, the applicable rules did not impose any deferral of the tax inflation adjustment.
On December 1, 2022, Law No. 27,701 introduced certain changes to the ITL related to the tax inflation adjustment. Taxpayers that determine a positive tax inflation adjustment (situation which entails a taxable gain arising from the tax indexation procedure) in the first and second fiscal year starting on or after January 1, 2022, may compute one third of the resulting amount of such adjustment in that fiscal period and the remaining two thirds, in equal parts, in the following two fiscal periods. The deferral will only be applicable to taxpayers whose investment in the purchase, construction, manufacture, processing or definitive import of fixed assets, except automobiles, during each of the two fiscal periods immediately following the computation of the first third of the period in question, is equal to or exceeds Ps.30,000 million. On the contrary, taxpayers that determine a negative tax inflation adjustment (situation which entails a deductible loss arising from the tax indexation procedure) are entitled to compute the entire amount of such adjustment in the current fiscal period.
Indexation of amortizations of fixed assets and other assets is only allowed regarding assets acquired as from January 1, 2018 onwards. In other words, indexation of amortizations corresponding to assets acquired prior to January 1, 2018, is not allowed.
Devaluation of the peso may adversely affect our results of operations, our capital expenditure program and the ability to service our liabilities and transfers of funds abroad.
Argentina has a history of high volatility in its foreign exchange markets, including sharp and unanticipated devaluations, tight foreign exchange controls and severe restrictions on foreign trade. The devaluation of the peso may have a negative impact on the ability of certain Argentine businesses to pay their foreign currency denominated debt. It could also lead to higher inflation rates, significantly reduce real wages and jeopardize our business, which depends on domestic market demand.
After several years of moderate variations in the nominal exchange rate, in 2011 the depreciation of the peso commenced to accelerate again and in response the Argentine government further strengthened the foreign exchange restrictions and controls. This provoked the development of an unofficial U.S. dollar trading market at which the U.S. dollar exchange rate was substantially higher than in the official foreign exchange market (the “FX Market”).
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After the results of the primary elections were announced on August 11, 2019, the markets reacted negatively, and the dollar price jumped from Ps. 45.2 to Ps. 59 at the exchange rate published by the BCRA as of August 15, 2019. Consequently, the shares of Argentine companies in the New York stock exchange and the value of national bonds dropped.
Given the political and economic landscape, the administration of former President Macri re-introduced rigid restrictions and foreign exchange controls on September 1, 2019, which among other things, significantly curtailed access to the FX Market by individuals and entities. See item 10.D“Additional Information—Exchange Controls”. Despite the measures adopted by the Argentine government to try to control the increasing depreciation of the peso, in 2022 the peso accumulated a depreciation of 70% against the U.S. dollar and in 2023, of 356.44%, based on the official exchange rates published by the Argentine Central Bank and several parallel U.S. dollar trading markets developed in which the Argentine peso-U.S. dollar exchange rate differs substantially from the official Argentine peso-U.S. dollar exchange rate. See item 10.D “Additional Information – Exchange Controls”.
Despite the positive effects of the depreciation of the peso on the competitiveness of certain sectors of the Argentine economy, including our business, it has also had a negative impact on the financial condition of many Argentine businesses and individuals. The devaluation of the peso has had a negative impact on the ability of certain Argentine businesses to honor their foreign currency-denominated debt and has also led to very high inflation initially and significantly reduced real wages. The devaluation has also negatively impacted businesses whose success is dependent on domestic market demand, and adversely affected the Argentine government’s ability to honor its foreign debt obligations. If the peso is significantly depreciated, the Argentine economy and our business could be adversely affected.
Additional volatility, appreciation or depreciation of the peso, or reduction in the BCRA’s international reserves due to currency interventions could adversely affect the Argentine economy, which in turn may have an adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations. Any further devaluation of the peso could have material adverse effects on the Argentine economy, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Given the economic and political conditions in Argentina, we cannot predict whether, and to what extent, the value of the peso may depreciate or appreciate against the U.S. dollar, the euro or other foreign currencies. We cannot predict how these conditions will affect our capital expenditure program, the consumption of products we provide to local costumers or our ability to meet our liabilities denominated in currencies other than the peso. Furthermore, our ability to transfer funds abroad and our ability to pay dividends to shareholders located abroad may be jeopardized if high exchange rate volatility continues and exchange controls are increased in Argentina. Finally, we cannot predict whether the Argentine government will further modify its monetary, fiscal or exchange rate policy in the future.
Government measures, as well as pressure from labor unions, could require private companies to implement salary increases or provide workers with additional benefits, all of which could increase our operating costs.
In the past, the Argentine government has enacted laws and regulations requiring private companies to maintain certain wage levels and provide added benefits to their employees. Additionally, both public and private sector employers have been subject to strong pressure from the workforce and trade unions to grant salary increases and certain additional benefits.
Labor relations in Argentina are governed by specific legislation, such as Labor Law No. 20,744 and Collective Bargaining Law No. 14,250, which, among other things, dictate how salary and other labor negotiations are to be conducted. Every industrial or commercial activity in Argentina is regulated by a specific collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, that groups companies together according to industry sector and trade union. Although the process of negotiation is standardized, each chamber of industrial or commercial activity separately negotiates the increases of salaries and labor benefits with the relevant trade union covering such commercial or industrial activity. In the cement industry, salaries have been established generally on an annual basis (although due to the high inflation over the past years, these are taking place more than once a year) through negotiations between the chambers that represent the cement producers and the cement industry employees’ trade union. The National Labor Ministry mediates between the parties and ultimately approves the salary increase to be applied in the cement industry. Parties are bound by the final decision once it is approved by the labor authority and must observe the established salary increases for all employees that are represented by the cement union and to whom the collective bargaining agreement applies.
Argentine employers, in both the public and private sectors, have experienced significant pressure from their employees and labor organizations to increase wages and to provide additional benefits. Since January 2022, the minimum
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salary was raised from Ps. 32,000 to Ps. 156,000, as of December 2023 (in nominal terms). Due to high levels of inflation, both public and private sector employers experience significant pressure from unions and their employees to further increase salaries. The INDEC publishes the "Coeficiente de Variación Salarial" (Salary Variation Index), an index that shows the evolution of salaries. The Salaries Index showed an increase in registered private sector salaries of approximately 80% in 2022 and 173.5% in 2023. During this period, the average wages in the cement industry increased in line with the average of private sector salaries, according to the Argentine Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security.
The Argentine government may adopt new measures that determine salary increases or additional benefits for workers, and workers and their unions can press employers to comply with such measures or obtain other benefits. Any salary increase or additional benefit could result in an increase in costs and a decrease in the results of the operations of Argentine companies, including those of Loma Negra.
The implementation of new exchange controls and restrictions on capital inflows and outflows could limit the availability of international credit and could threaten the financial system, adversely affecting the Argentine economy and, as a result, our business.
Due to the foreign exchange crisis generated in August 2019 and the continued reduction of the BCRA’s foreign currency reserves, since September 1, 2019, the Argentine government imposed rigid exchange controls and transfer restrictions, substantially limiting the ability to obtain foreign currency or make certain payments or distributions out of Argentina See “Item 10.D Additional Information—Exchange Controls”.
In response to the re-imposed foreign exchange restrictions, an unofficial U.S. dollar trading market developed again in which the peso-U.S. dollar exchange rate differed substantially from the official peso-U.S. dollar exchange rate in the FX Market.
In addition, access to foreign currency and its transfer out of Argentina can also be obtained through capital markets transactions denominated Blue-Chip Swaps, subject to certain restrictions, which is significantly more expensive than acquiring foreign currency in the FX Market.
In the past, the Argentine government also imposed informal restrictions on the ability of entities and individuals to purchase foreign currency, consisting in de facto measures as those described in the first paragraph. Notwithstanding the measures adopted by the Argentine government in the recent years, in the future the Argentine government could reinstate further exchange controls, transfer restrictions, restrictions on the free movement of capital, and may implement other measures in response to capital flight or a significant depreciation of the peso, which could further limit our ability to access the international capital markets and impair our ability to make interest, principal or dividend payments abroad. Such measures could lead to renewed political and social tensions, and could undermine the Argentine government’s public finances, which could adversely affect Argentina’s economy and prospects for economic growth and, consequently, adversely affect our business and results of operations, and could further impair our ability to make dividend payments to holders of the ADSs, which may adversely affect the market value of the ADSs.
Argentina’s current account and balance of payment imbalances could lead to a depreciation of the peso, and as a result, affect our results of operations, our capital expenditure program and our ability to pay our foreign currency liabilities.
Inflation continues to be a challenge for Argentina given its persistent nature in recent years.
According to INDEC, Argentina’s structural current account accumulated a surplus of US$ 3,287 million in 2021 and a current account deficit of US$ 3,031 million in 2022. In the third quarter of 2023 (latest official data available), the Argentine economy recorded a current account deficit of US$ 6,103 million. However, in the first two months of Javier Milei´s administration, the Argentine government registered a 0.2% GDP surplus as a result of cost reduction policies.
Because foreign direct investment remains stagnant in Argentina, Argentina and its provinces may not be able to fulfill their debts obligations in the future, since Argentina’s foreign currency needs would severely overcome its foreign currency sources. If this level of uncertainty prevails on international investors, Argentina may suffer a “sudden stop” event, when investors stop lending money to Argentinean institutions. This, in turn, may result in large capital outflows that could lead the Argentine government to default on its debt and cause a rapid and unanticipated depreciation of the peso, an increase in local interest rates and a banking system crisis if bank deposits are largely withdrawn following social unrest.
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The measures taken during the Fernandez administration could not stop the constant devaluation of the peso against the U.S. dollar. Between January 2020 and December 2023, the official nominal exchange rate for pesos into U.S. dollars fell by approximately 1250.80%.
As of December 31, 2023, the official nominal exchange rate for pesos into U.S. dollars fell to Ps. 808.4833 per US$1.00, a devaluation of approximately 356.44% as compared to the official exchange rate of Ps. 177.1283 per US$1.00 as of December 31, 2022. In the first two months of 2024, the peso depreciated approximately 4.17% against the U.S. dollar.
The failure to reduce fiscal deficits could increase the level of uncertainty regarding the macroeconomic conditions in Argentina. In particular, it could lead to an increase in the inflation index, devaluation of the peso with respect to foreign currencies and a subsequent crisis in the balance of payments, greater local vulnerability to the international credit crisis or geopolitical shocks, rising rates of interest, erratic monetary policies, reduction in real wages and, as a consequence, in private consumption and reduction in growth rates. This level of uncertainty, over which we have no control, can affect our financial condition or the results of operations.
If a balance of payments crisis were to occur, a large depreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar could adversely affect our ability to meet our foreign currency obligations. Furthermore, the negative effect such a crisis could have on the growth rates of the Argentine economy and its consumption patterns could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and result of operations.
The Argentine government’s ability to obtain financing from international markets may be limited, which may negatively impact our financial condition and our ability to grow.
The Argentine government’s ability to obtain financing from international markets has been limited.
The Argentina’s sovereign default in 2001 limited Argentina’s ability to access to international financing. Through exchange offers conducted between 2005 and 2010, Argentina restructured over 92% of the sovereign defaulted debt. However, holdout holders declined to participate in the restructuring commenced litigation against Argentina. The Argentine government settled US$9.2 billion outstanding principal amount of the untendered debt held by some of these holdout holders in April 2016 with the proceeds from a US$16.5 billion international bonds offering. Although the size of the outstanding claims has decreased significantly, as of the date of this annual report, litigation initiated by bondholders that have not accepted Argentina’s settlement offer continues in several jurisdictions. However, after the settlement with the holdouts and offering Argentina regained access to the international capital markets.
Additionally, foreign shareholders of several Argentine companies, including those of our controlling shareholder, have filed claims before the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes or the ICSID alleging that the emergency measures adopted by the Argentine government since the crisis in 2001 and 2002 differ from the just and equal treatment standards set forth in several bilateral investment treaties to which Argentina is a party. The ICSID has ruled against Argentina with respect to many of these claims.
However, despite all that, on August 4, 2023, through the Decree 404/2023 a loan agreement between Argentina and Qatar for 580,000,000 Special Drawing Rights was approved in an attempt to pay interest on the debt contracted with the IMF. In this regard, the Argentine government announced the cancellation of US$ 1,411 million within the framework of the agreement. The Issuer cannot attest to what effects the agreement will have nor to how it will be implemented. Moreover, on August 23, 2023, former Economy Minister, Sergio Massa, announced agreements with the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank that determined that these entities would provide Argentina with total financing of US$ 1,310 million.
Furthermore, through the press release of February 1, 2024, IMF’s Executive Board announced the conclusion of the seventh review of the agreement with Argentina. This decision grants the country access to an immediate disbursement of approximately USS 4.7 billion, which would place the total disbursements under the agreement at around USS 40.6 billion so far.
In any case, lack of access to international or domestic financial markets or increase in the costs of such financing could affect the projected capital expenditures for our operations in Argentina, which, in turn, may have an adverse effect on our financial condition or the results of our operations. For more information regarding Argentina’s
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financings, including the aggregate of US$23.5 billion loans disbursed in connection with the Staff-Level Agreement, see “—Investing in a developing economy such as Argentina entails certain inherent risks.”
Government intervention may adversely affect Argentine economy, Argentine companies and, as a result, our business and results of operations.
During recent years, the federal government has exercised substantial control over the Argentine economy.
Since taking office in December 2019, the Fernández Administration implemented several measures that increased the government intervention, for example: i) the Social Solidarity Law ; ii) the Price Control Program announced on January 7, 2020; iii) the Law of Sustainability of Public Debt under Foreign Law, published on February 13, 2020; iv) the Supermarkets’ Shelf Law published on March 17,2020; and v) Decree No. 690/2020, which was published on August 22, 2020, and regulated certain services tariffs and vi) the Fair Prices Program announced on November 10, 2022.
The Argentine Executive Branch issued the Decree No. 332/2022 which established a progressive reduction of state´s aid in relation to the payment of electric and natural gas services. This reduction depends on the income of the consumer. Under this system, higher income consumers will be paying their tariffs with no state aid in the future, whereas vulnerable and low-income consumers will still receive state aid.
The National Telecommunications Agency, issued Resolution No. 1754/2022, which established a maximum fee increase for mobile services, as well as use of internet value added services, subscription radio broadcasting services and subscription broadcasting services through satellite by certain licensees.
In addition, on March 17, 2021, the Secretary of Domestic Commerce issued Resolution No. 237/2021 by means of which it created SIPRE, in which certain companies, including ours, must report monthly the prices of their products, quantities sold and stocks of final and intermediate goods. This annual report obligation was extended until December 31, 2023 as it is stipulated in Resolution NO. 67/2023 issued by the Secretary of Domestic Commerce in February 2023.
Since September 1, 2019, the Argentine Executive Brunch reinstated strong exchange controls and restrictions limiting the access to the FX Market for purchases and transfers outside Argentina of foreign currency. See “Item 10.D Additional Information—Exchange Controls”
Interventions by the Argentine government similar to those described above can have an adverse impact on the level of foreign investment in Argentina, the access of Argentine companies to the international capital markets and Argentina’s commercial and diplomatic relations with other countries and, consequently, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As of the date of this annual report it is not possible to predict whether the current administration will promote additional actions related to price controls of products elaborated by us. In case it does, we cannot predict how these measures will affect our results of operations. Expropriations and other interventions by the Argentine government similar to those described above can have an adverse impact on the level of foreign investment in Argentina, the access of Argentine companies to the international capital markets and Argentina’s commercial and diplomatic relations with other countries and, consequently, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
However, as previously noted, through the Decree of Necessity and Urgency No. 70/2023, the current Milei Administration appears to aim to reduce Government intervention by deregulating the economy in order to address the economic and social crisis. In that intelligence, the Decree determines various amendments and repeals of several laws including the regulations on housing rental contracts, the supply of essential products, the marketing of mass consumption products, among others. These measures, however, must still be approved, modified of rejected by the Congress.
The Argentine economy could be adversely affected by economic developments in other markets and by more general “contagion” effects.
Weak, flat or negative economic growth in any of Argentina’s major trading partners, such as Brazil, could adversely affect Argentina’s balance of payments and, consequently, economic growth.
The Argentine economy may also be affected by conditions in developed economies, such as the United States, that are significant trading partners of Argentina or have influence over world economic cycles and over short-term
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evolution of commodity prices. If interest rates increase significantly in developed economies, including the United States, Argentina and its developing economy trading partners, such as Brazil, could find it more difficult and expensive to borrow capital and refinance existing debt, which could adversely affect economic growth in those countries. Decreased growth from Argentina’s trading partners could have a material adverse effect on the markets for Argentina’s exports and, in turn, adversely affect economic growth. Any of these potential risks to the Argentine economy could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and result of operations.
The economy of Brazil, Argentina’s largest export market and the principal source of imports, is currently experiencing heightened negative pressure due to the uncertainties stemming from ongoing political crisis. After the economic crisis of 2015 and 2016, the Brazilian economy is slowly recovering. The real growth per capita has recovered 10% in 2021, but is still 15% down from 2019 figures. As of December 31, 2022, the unemployment rate is 8.3%, as compared to 11.9% at the end of 2021. On January 1, 2022, Lula da Silva assumed office as a left-wing politician. While the impact of Brazil’s downturn on Argentina cannot be predicted, we cannot exclude the possibility that the Brazilian political and economic crisis could have a further negative impact on the Argentine economy.
On November 3, 2020, political elections took place in the U.S. and on January 20, 2021 Joe Biden took office. Changes in social, political, regulatory and economic conditions in the United States, or in laws and policies governing foreign trade, could create uncertainty in the international markets and could have a negative impact on emerging market economies, including the Argentine economy, which in turn could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. However, in November of this current year, the presidential elections are to take place. Therefore, the future policies to be adopted by the United States affecting the international markets remain uncertain.
Furthermore, Jerome H. Powell the chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve has expressed the intention to lower the interest rates as the economic conditions of the U.S. improve with respect to inflation.
On February 24, 2022, Russian military forces launched a major assault against Ukraine, which led to a conflict that is ongoing as of the date of this annual report. Trade disruptions caused by the conflict and economic sanctions have caused instability and increases in the prices of energy and raw materials, which may affect the price and demand for our products.
Finally, on October 7, 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in the occupied Gaza Strip launched a surprise attack against Israel. This attack not only caused thousands of casualties but also led to a declaration of war by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to the establishment of a total blockade on Gaza and to the order to evacuate the north of the Strip. On April 13, 2024, Iran launched an airstrike over Israeli territory in response to the bombing of its consulate in Syria. On April 19, 2024, Israel launched a series of retaliatory missile strikes on Iranian military sites. This attacks signal the beginning of an open conflict between two nations, and it cannot be assured that additional countries will not be involved. Once again, the future of this conflict, as well as its impact on international trade and, thus, on emerging market economies like Argentina´s, remains uncertain.
In addition, Argentina is highly dependent on the export of certain commodities, such as soy, which has made the Argentine economy more vulnerable to fluctuations in the commodities prices. If international commodity prices decline, the Argentine economy could be adversely affected. In addition, adverse weather conditions can affect the production of commodities by the agricultural sector, which account for a significant portion of Argentina’s export revenues.
All these circumstances could have a negative impact on the levels of government revenues, available foreign exchange and the government’s ability to manage its sovereign debt, and could either generate recessionary or inflationary pressures, depending on the government’s reaction. Either of these results would adversely impact Argentina’s economic growth and, therefore, our financial condition and results of operations.
The Argentine banking system may be subject to instability, which may affect our operations.
The Argentine banking system has experienced several crises in the past, and even collapsed in 2001 and 2002. In recent years, the Argentine financial system grew significantly with a marked increase in loans and private deposits, showing a recovery of the credit activity. Such recovery has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the financial system’s deposits continue to grow in nominal terms, these deposits are mostly short-term and the
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sources of medium and long-term funding for financial institutions are currently limited. In 2023, nominal private deposits in pesos decreased 34.8% year-over-year and during the same period, private deposits in U.S. dollars decreased by 7.5%.
In 2023, fixed-term deposits in pesos from the private sector, as well as means of payment, have shown a systematic fall due to the acceleration of inflation. Fixed-term loans have experienced a monthly contraction of 23.6% at constant prices in December and, consequently, accumulated a drop of around 48.2% in 2023. As a result, the balance of these placements at constant prices is reduced to minimum records of the last 20 years.
Financial institutions are subject to significant regulation from multiple regulatory authorities, all of whom may, among other things, establish limits on commissions and impose sanctions on financial institutions. The lack of a stable regulatory framework could impose significant limitations on the activities of the financial institutions and could induce uncertainty with respect to the financial system stability.
A new crisis or the consequent instability of one or more of the larger banks, public or private, could have a material adverse effect on the prospects for economic growth and political stability in Argentina, resulting in a loss of consumer confidence, lower disposable income and fewer financing alternatives for consumers. These conditions would have a material adverse effect on us by resulting in lower sales of products and the possibility of a higher level of uncollectible accounts or increase the credit risk of the counterparties regarding our investments in local financial institutions.
Exchange controls and restrictions on transfers abroad and capital inflows have limited, and could continue limiting, the availability of international credit. The continued limitation of international credit could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Foreign Exchange Controls Affecting Imports of Goods and Services could adversely affect our business.
Argentine companies currently have access to the foreign exchange market to acquire foreign currency to make payments abroad, provided that certain requirements are met.
Until recently, importers that intended to access the foreign exchange market were requested to obtain an approved declaration submitted via the Argentine System of Imports (“SIRA” after its acronym in Spanish) from local authorities. Starting December 13, 2023, according to the Communication “A” 7917 issued by BCRA, it is no longer necessary to have said declaration made through the SIRA in "OUTPUT" status nor to validate the operation in the "Single Current Account" computer system of “Foreign Trade", as previously required. In addition, access to the exchange market may be granted for the deferred payment of new imports of goods with customs entry registration as of December 13, 2023, which will be done according to the schedule established by BCRA depending on the type of good. It is also possible to access the exchange market to pay on a deferred basis for new imports of goods with customs entry registration before the mentioned deadlines when some of the cases listed in point 3 of Communication “A” 7917 occur. And finally, prior consent from the BCRA is no longer required for the payment of new imports of goods with pending customs registration when, in addition to the remaining applicable requirements, the payment falls within the situations provided for in point 3 of the aforementioned communication.
Furthermore, on December 13, 2023, through Communication “A” 7918, the BCRA ordered the creation of a special bond for importers of goods and services with outstanding debts. The so-called Bonds for the Reconstruction of a Free Argentina (“BOPREAL”) seek to facilitate the access to international currencies and to help said importers deal with commercial debts for the importation of goods and services accumulated as of December 12, 2023, who may subscribe them until the amount of its imports pending payment.
We cannot ensure you that additional limitations to import goods and services to Argentina will not be reestablished in the future. In this sense, we are unable to estimate the economic and financial impact for our business, or the possibility of other economic effects on the stock market, foreign exchange rates and otherwise. Any such negative impact could result in a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial conditions and results of operations, as well as our ability to achieve our previously disclosed expectations for future years.
Risks Relating to Our Indirect Controlling Shareholder
Adverse events affecting affiliates of our indirect controlling shareholder, Mover Participações S.A., including with respect to the involvement by a subsidiary of Mover Participações S.A. in the so-called Operation Car Wash
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investigation in Brazil (“Operação Lava Jato”), may have a material adverse effect on our reputation and on the trading price of our ordinary shares and ADSs.
Construções e Comércio Camargo Corrêa S.A., or CCCC, a construction and engineering subsidiary of Mover Participações S.A. (formerly named Camargo Corrêa S.A.) and certain of its former senior management and employees have been the subjects of a Brazilian Federal Police investigation referred to as Operation Car Wash, which is an investigation into widespread allegations of corruption, including the Brazilian federal government controlled national oil company Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras, where certain of its employees accepted bribes from a number of construction companies, including CCCC.
In connection with the Operation Car Wash investigation and comprehensive internal investigations undertaken by CCCC with the assistance of external experts, CCCC and certain of its former senior management and employees entered into leniency and plea bargain agreements with the Brazilian authorities pursuant to which they admitted to violations of Brazilian antitrust and anti-corruption laws and agreed to pay compensation totaling more than 1,400 million Brazilian reais, which included fines and other indemnification, and committed to continue to cooperate with Brazilian authorities. In addition, CCCC continues to conduct internal investigations on an ongoing basis regarding its anti-corruption compliance.
The news of Operation Car Wash also had repercussions in other Latin America countries where CCCC operates besides Brazil, including Peru, Argentina and Venezuela. According to certain media reports, government investigations are underway in those countries for alleged acts of corruption involving Brazilian construction companies. CCCC’s management has conducted internal investigations with the help of external experts and to date has not identified evidence of any wrongdoing performed by CCCC in these countries.
Any additional violations of anti-corruption and/or antitrust laws involving CCCC may result in additional fines and/or indemnification obligations. In addition, any additional adverse events or developments could have a material adverse impact on CCCC and the Mover investment portfolio, which may subject us to reputational damage and could materially adversely affect the trading price of our ordinary shares and ADSs. Moreover no assurances can be given that affiliates of CCCC will not also be found to be liable for any such violations of law.
See ‘Item 7.A. Major Shareholders — Significant Changes in Percentage Ownership’.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
The cyclical nature of the cement industry may lead to decreases in our revenues and profit margin.
The cement industry is inherently cyclical and sensitive to changes in supply and demand that are, in turn, affected by political and economic conditions in Argentina and elsewhere. This cyclicality may decrease our profit margin. In particular:
•downturns in general business and economic activity may cause demand for our products to decline, adversely impacting our sales volume;
•when demand falls, we may be under competitive pressure to lower our prices to maintain market share, which could diminish our profit margins; and
•if we decide to expand our plants or construct new plants, we may do so based on an estimate of future demand that may never materialize or may materialize at levels lower than we predicted. Should actual demand fall short of our estimates, we may encounter excess capacity and underutilization of our assets.
Moreover, the prices we are able to obtain for cement depend in large part on prevailing market prices. Cement is subject to price fluctuations resulting from production capacity, inventories, the availability of substitutes and other factors relating to the market such as the level of activity in residential construction markets, and, in some cases, government intervention. If the price of cement were to decline significantly from current levels, it could have a material adverse effect on us and our profit margin.
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We are subject to the possible entry of domestic or international competitors into our market, which could decrease our market share and profitability.
The cement market in Argentina is competitive and is currently served by four principal groups of companies which together supply substantially all of the cement consumed in the country. In the cement industry, the location of a production plant tends to limit the market that a plant can serve because transportation costs are high, reducing profit margins. Historically, we have been a relevant player with presence across all regions in the country. However, competition could intensify if other players decide to try to enter our market.
We may face increased competition from the other cement manufacturers, despite incremental freight costs, decide to increase their existing capabilities (whether greenfield or brownfield) in the manufacturing and/or distribution ends of the cement market. Certain of our local competitors executed investments to expand their production capacity levels in Argentina. According to available public information, Holcim Argentina S.A. expanded the “Malagueño” plant, located in the province of Córdoba. In the case of Cementos Avellaneda S.A., a similar expansion in the “El Gigante” plant in the province of San Luis was finished in late 2020 and is operating.
We also face the possibility of competition in Argentina from the entry into our market of imported clinker, cement or other materials (such as slag) or products from foreign manufacturers, which may have significantly greater financial resources than us.
We may not be able to maintain our market share if we cannot match our competitor’s prices or keep pace with the development of new products. If any of these events were to occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Demand for our cement products is highly related to residential and commercial construction in Argentina and is dependent on public infrastructure developments.
Cement consumption is highly correlated to construction levels. Demand for our cement products depends, in large part, on residential and commercial construction and infrastructure developments. Residential and commercial construction, in turn, is cyclical and highly correlated to prevailing macroeconomic factors, including general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, demographic and population shifts, levels of infrastructure spending, and other factors beyond our control. As a result, decline in economic conditions would reduce household disposable income, reduce residential construction and potentially delay infrastructure projects, which would lead to a decrease in demand for cement. As a result, a deterioration in the economic conditions would have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. We cannot assure you that Argentina’s GDP will grow or that the share of Argentina’s GDP dedicated to construction and the infrastructure sectors, will maintain current levels or increase.
A reduction in private or public construction projects in Argentina could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Significant interruptions or delays in, or the termination of, private or public construction projects may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Private and public construction levels in our market depend on investments in the region which, in turn, are affected by economic conditions.
In this regard, between the measures taken by Javier Milei’s administration aimed to eliminate Argentina’s deficit, the National Government decided to stop financing public works. The Portland Cement Manufacturers Association published in his monthly report that cement dispatches decreased approximately by 20.41% in December 2023, compared to the previous month. In the first three months of 2024, the dispatches decreased by 29.6% compared to the same period of the previous year. Likewise, according to INDEC, the surface authorized by building permits decreased by 9.7% in December 2023 compared to the same month in 2022, and formal employment on the sector decreased by 3.2%.
If the downturn in the sector continues, the company could be adversely affected in its business, finances and daily operations.
Changes in the cost or availability of raw materials supplied by third parties may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We use certain raw materials in the production of cement, such as gypsum, slag, iron ore, steel slabs, clay, sand and pozzolana that we obtain from third parties. Our cost of raw materials supplied by third parties as a percentage of our total cost of sales was 17.9%, 14.8% and 10.5% in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Should existing suppliers cease
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operations or reduce or eliminate production of these by-products, sourcing costs for these materials could increase significantly or require us to find alternative sources for these materials, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
The interest rates of our revolving credit facilities, historically priced using a spread over London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), would be subject to change following the discontinuation of LIBOR in June 2023. Although we currently do not have any outstanding revolving credit facilities, the establishment and utilization of alternative reference rates for future indebtedness may adversely affect the interest we pay on floating rate indebtedness and other instruments.
Historically, LIBOR served as a widely accepted benchmark for setting interest rates on global loans. The discontinuation of LIBOR has required the transition to alternative reference rates, which could impact our borrowing costs and overall financial condition should we enter into new credit agreements.
Following announcements by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), and the ICE Benchmark Administration, Limited, the publication of the most commonly used U.S. dollar LIBOR tenors ceased after June 30, 2023. New contracts have been encouraged to reference alternative rates from December 31, 2021, onwards.
Although we have no current LIBOR-related exposure due to a lack of outstanding credit facilities, the adoption of Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or other rates for potential future borrowing could impact our interest expense. SOFR, has been endorsed by the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARCC) established by the U.S. Federal Reserve and other financial institutions. Unlike LIBOR, which was a forward-looking rate incorporating bank credit risk, SOFR is a backward-looking rate based on secured transactions collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities. Consequently, SOFR may be inherently lower and less volatile than LIBOR and does not reflect bank credit risk.
The transition to SOFR or other alternative reference rates presents several risks and uncertainties. There is no assurance that SOFR will achieve the same level of market acceptance as LIBOR, nor can we predict the full implications of this transition on our potential liquidity or borrowing costs. Should we utilize revolving credit facilities in the future, and if alternative rates prove to be substantially different from LIBOR, our interest expenses, could be affected significantly.
Energy accounts for a significant portion of our total cost of sales, and higher energy prices or governmental regulations that restrict energy available for our operation could materially adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
We consume substantial amounts of energy in our cement production processes and currently rely on third-party suppliers for a significant portion of our total energy needs. During the year ended December 31, 2023, thermal energy cost and electricity cost represented approximately 16.0% and 7.7% of our total cost of sales, respectively, and in 2022 and 2021, thermal energy cost and electricity cost represented approximately 15.9% and 8.7% and 13.7% and 9.8% of our total cost of sales, respectively. Our results of operations may be adversely affected by higher costs of electricity or unavailability or shortages of electricity, or an interruption in energy supplies. For more information, see "Item 5.A. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Operating Results."
Electricity shortages have occurred in Argentina in the past and could occur again in the future, and there can be no assurance that power generation capacity will grow sufficiently to meet our demand. In recent years, the condition of the Argentine electricity market has provided little incentive to generators to further invest in increasing their generation capacity, which would require material long-term financial commitments. As a result, Argentine electricity generators are currently operating at near full capacity and could be required to ration supply in order to meet a national energy demand that exceeds the current generation capacity.
In addition, the 2001 economic crisis and the resulting emergency measures had a material adverse effect on other energy sectors, including oil and gas companies, which led to a significant reduction in natural gas supplies to generation companies that use this commodity in their generation activities. In an attempt to address this situation, in January 2016, the Argentine Government unified and increased wholesale energy prices for all consumption in Argentina. As a result of this and other measures implemented by the Argentine government, investments have been made in conventional and renewable energy, moderately increasing the installed capacity during the last years. This increase in capacity has occurred both in thermal and renewable energy (wind and solar), the latter being enhanced by the renewable energy tenders, reaching 13% of the Argentine generation matrix in 2021. The demand supplied by renewable energies increased to 13.9% in 2022, and new renewable projects are expected to start operating in 2024.
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On December 18, 2023, the Executive Branch published the Decree of Necessity and Urgency 55/2023 (DNU 55) in the Official Gazette, declaring that the national energy sector would be in a state of emergency – with regard to the generation, transportation and distribution of electric power under federal jurisdiction and the transportation and distribution of natural gas – until December, 31, 2024.
Among other matters, DNU 55 launched a tariff review process for electric power and natural gas services that are subject to federal jurisdiction.
Regarding energy prices, it should be noted that substantial increases for residential and industrial users are expected in 2024. These increases could be even higher due to (i) a substantial reduction of energy subsidies conducted by the current Administration; and (ii) the Russia-Ukraine war conflict, that may continue to have an impact on price levels (particularly, in the price of the natural gas used for generating electricity). In addition, if the Russia-Ukraine war conflict continues over time there could be a shortage of gas during the winter and this could have an impact on industrial use. Additionally, the ongoing construction of the second stage for the Gasoducto Néstor Kirchner (Néstor Kirchner Gas Pipeline) could alter the current status of the Argentine energy industry, particularly affecting the energy prices in ways that we are currently unable to predict.
Electricity generators may still not be able to guarantee the supply of electricity to distribution companies, which, in turn, could prevent these companies from experiencing continued growth in their businesses and could lead to failures to provide electricity to customers; and we may not have access to the gas necessary to maintain our cement production processes. Shortages and government efforts to respond to or prevent shortages may materially adversely impact the cost and supply of energy for our operations, which could materially adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
Moreover, all of the locomotives we operate for our railroad segment are diesel-powered, and our fuel expenses are significant. If increases in fuel prices cannot be passed on to our customers through our tariffs, our operating margins could be materially and adversely affected. Fuel prices have historically been volatile and may continue to be volatile in the future. Fuel prices are subject to a variety of factors that are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, consumer demand for, and the supply of, oil, processing, gathering and transportation availability, price and availability of alternative fuel sources, weather conditions, natural disasters and political conditions.
Public health threats or outbreaks of communicable diseases have had and may have an adverse effect on our operations and financial results
We cannot ensure that there may not be any future public health threats and/or outbreaks of communicable diseases. In this sense, we are unable to estimate the economic and financial impact for our business, or the possibility of other economic effects on the stock market, foreign exchange rates and otherwise. Any such negative impact could result in a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial conditions and results of operations as well as our ability to achieve our previously disclosed expectations for future years.
We may be materially adversely affected if our transportation, storage and distribution operations are interrupted or are more costly than anticipated.
Our operations are dependent upon the uninterrupted operation of transportation, storage and distribution of our cement products. Transportation, storage or distribution of our cement products could be partially or completely shut down, temporarily or permanently, as the result of any number of circumstances that are not within our control, such as:
•disasters or catastrophic events;
•extreme weather conditions;
•hostilities or political uncertainty;
•strikes or other labor difficulties;
•acts of terrorism;
•widespread illnesses or epidemics;
•other disruptions in means of transportation;
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•higher logistics costs due to lack of availability of means of transport, greater bargaining power of logistics providers and/or significant increases in the cost of labor; and
•potential impacts of the termination of the railway concession granted to Ferrosur Roca S.A. or of the eventual terms and conditions established for its continuation as a railway operator in the new operational modality that the National Government could implement. Please see “Item 3.D The early termination of our railway concession may have a material adverse effect on our business".
In addition, we rely on third-party services providers for the transportation of our products to our customers. Our ability to service our customers at reasonable costs depends, in many cases, upon our ability to negotiate reasonable terms with carriers, including trucking companies. To the extent that third-party carriers were to increase their rates, we may be forced to pay these higher rates before we are able to pass such increases onto our customers, if at all.
Any significant interruption at these facilities or an inability to transport our products to or from these facilities or to or from our customers for any reason would materially adversely affect us.
Our business strategies require substantial capital and long-term investments, which we may be unable to fund competitively.
To continue expanding our cement production capacity and distribution network, our business strategies require substantial capital investments, which we may finance through additional debt and/or equity financing. However, adequate financing may not be available or, if available, may not be available on satisfactory terms, including as a result of adverse macroeconomic conditions. We may be unable to obtain sufficient additional capital in the future to fund our capital requirements and our business strategy at acceptable costs. If we are unable to access additional capital on terms that are acceptable to us, we may not be able to fully implement our business strategy, which may limit the future growth and development of our business. If our need for capital were to arise due to operating losses, these losses may make it more difficult for us to raise additional capital to fund our expansion projects.
The implementation of our growth strategies depends on certain factors that are beyond our control, including changes in the conditions of the markets in which we operate, actions taken by our competitors and laws and regulations in force in Argentina. Our failure to successfully implement any part of our strategy may have a material adverse impact on us.
Management’s plans to obtain sufficient funds to settle current liabilities may not be accomplished and hence we may have negative working capital in the near future.
Our board of directors has the ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management and has established an appropriate framework allowing our management to handle financing requirements for the short-, medium- and long-term.
Weaker economic conditions could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if we are unable to access the capital markets to finance our operations in the future, this could adversely affect our ability to obtain additional capital to grow our business.
We are subject to risks related to litigation and administrative proceedings that could adversely affect our business and financial performance in the event of an unfavorable ruling.
The nature of our business exposes us to litigation relating to product liability claims, labor, health and safety matters, environmental matters, regulatory, tax and administrative proceedings, governmental investigations, tort claims and contract disputes, among other matters. We have been and are subject to antitrust and tax proceedings or investigations including by the Argentine Antitrust Commission, or the CNDC (see “Item 8. Financial Information—Legal Proceedings—Antitrust Proceedings”). Litigation is inherently costly and unpredictable, making it difficult to accurately estimate the outcome of actual or potential litigation. Although we establish provisions as we deem necessary, the amounts that we reserve could vary significantly from any amounts we actually pay due to the inherent uncertainties in the estimation process. We cannot assure you that these or other legal proceedings will not materially affect our ability to conduct our business, financial condition and results of operations in the event of an unfavorable ruling.
In 2018, two investors who purportedly purchased our ADSs pursuant and/or traceable to our initial public offering, or IPO, commenced two different putative class actions before US courts on behalf of all persons and/or entities
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who purchased or otherwise acquired our ADSs pursuant and/or traceable to our prospectus and registration statement issued in connection with the IPO and, in the case of the Federal Class Action (defined below), on behalf of all persons and/or entities who purchased our ADSs on the open market between November 2, 2017 and May 23, 2018, inclusive. Loma Negra, its directors and some members of its senior management at the time of the IPO and Loma Negra Holding GmbH (now InterCement Trading e Inversiones S.A.) are named as defendants in both actions. On April 27, 2020, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an opinion granting defendants’ motion to dismiss in respect of the Federal Class Action. On July 17, 2020, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the appeal filed against the Federal Court’s opinion. Therefore, the favorable opinion for our company and the other defendants is final and the Federal Class Action is over. The State Class Action (as defined in "Legal Proceedings") is still ongoing and we cannot assure that our position will prevail. If our position does not prevail, the case may have substantial adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations. However, on October 11, 2023, we entered into a proposed agreement with the lead plaintiff which received the preliminary approval from the New York State Court on November 30, 2023. On April 10, 2024, the final approval by the New York State Court was granted. The completion of the Settlement is contingent on a final class payment, which is expected to be made before October 11, 2024, and is covered by our Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance policies. Once such payment is made, the New York State Court is expected to issue the final judgment and the case will end. See “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings—Securities Complaints Commenced Against Loma Negra under US Jurisdiction.”
We are subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and antitrust laws and regulations in Argentina and regulations in the United States and our internal policies and procedures might not be sufficient to ensure compliance with such laws and regulations.
The United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the Argentine Anti-Money Laundering Law (Ley de Prevención del Lavado de Activos), the Argentine Corporate Criminal Liability Law (Ley de Responsabilidad Penal Empresaria) and other applicable anti-corruption laws prohibit companies and their intermediaries from offering or making improper payments (or giving anything of value) to government officials and/or persons in the private sector for the purpose of influencing them or obtaining or retaining business and require companies to keep accurate books and records and maintain appropriate internal controls. In particular, the Argentine Corporate Criminal Liability Law provides for the criminal liability of corporate entities for criminal offenses against public administration and transnational bribery committed by, among others, its attorneys-in-fact, directors, managers, employees, or representatives. In this sense, a company may be held liable and subject to fines and/or suspension of its activities if such offenses were committed, directly or indirectly, in its name, behalf or interest, the company obtained or may have obtained a benefit therefrom, and the offense resulted from a company’s ineffective control.
Although we have a Compliance Program with internal policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, potential violations of anti-corruption laws could be identified on occasion as part of our compliance and internal control processes. In case such issues arise, we plan to attempt to act promptly to learn relevant facts and take any appropriate remedial action to address the risk. Given the size of our operations and the complexity of the production chain, there can be no assurance that our internal policies and procedures will be sufficient to prevent or detect all inappropriate practices, fraud or violations of law by our employees, directors, officers, partners, agents and service providers or that such persons will not take actions in violation of our policies and procedures (or otherwise in violation of the relevant anti-corruption laws and sanctions regulations) for which we or they may be ultimately held responsible.
If we or individuals or entities that are or were related to us are found to be liable for violations of applicable anti-corruption laws (either due to our own acts or our inadvertence, or due to the acts or inadvertence of others), we or other individuals or entities could face civil and criminal penalties or other sanctions, which in turn could have a material adverse impact on our reputation and business. Further, litigation or investigations relating to alleged or suspected violations of anti-corruption laws and sanctions regulations could be costly.
We are also subject to antitrust laws in Argentina.
Climate change and climate change legislation or regulations may adversely affect our business.
The risks that climate change poses through environmental changes and acute, weather-related events continues to attract considerable public and scientific attention in the EU, the United States and other parts of the world. A number of governmental bodies have finalized, proposed, or are contemplating legislative and regulatory changes in response to the potential effects of climate change. For instance, on March 6, 2024, the SEC adopted final rules to require registrants to include extensive climate-related disclosures in registration statements and annual reports. Among other things, the SEC rules mandate disclosures on (i) Climate related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on
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our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition; (ii) the actual and potential material impacts of identified climate-related risks on our business; (iii) any activities we have undertaken to mitigate or adapt to material climate-related risks; (iv) the extent of oversight and governance by our board of directors over climate-related risks and the role of management in assessing and managing these risks; (v) our processes for identifying, assessing, and managing material climate-related risks; and (vi) a qualitative description of how our financial statement estimates and assumptions have been materially influenced by climate-related risks and uncertainties, severe weather events, or disclosed climate-related targets or transition plans. Even though as of April 4, 2024 the SEC had voluntarily stayed its climate-related disclosure rules pending completion of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeal’s review of the rules, the SEC will “continue vigorously defending” the rules in court. If the court upholds the rules, it could lead to their prompt adoption once the stay is lifted. The adoption of these rules may necessitate significant changes in our reporting and operational practices, possibly leading to increased compliance costs and impacting our financial statements.
The cement manufacturing process requires the combustion of large amounts of fuel and creates carbon dioxide as a by-product of the calcination process. Therefore, efforts to address climate change through federal, state, regional, EU and international laws and regulations requiring reductions in greenhouse gases (GHGs) can create economic risks and uncertainties for our business. Such risks could include the cost of purchasing allowances, emissions offsets or credits to meet GHG emission caps, the cost of installing equipment to reduce emissions to comply with GHG limits or required technological standards, decreased profits or losses arising from decreased demand for our goods and higher production costs resulting directly or indirectly from the imposition of legislative or regulatory controls. To the extent that financial markets view climate change and GHG emissions as a financial risk, this could have a material adverse effect on our cost of and access to capital. Given the uncertain nature of the actual or potential statutory and regulatory requirements for GHG emissions at the federal, state, regional, EU and international levels, we cannot predict the impact on our operations or financial condition or make a reasonable estimate of the potential costs to us that may result from such requirements. However, the impact of any such requirements, whether individually or cumulatively, could have a material economic impact on our operations.
Climate change legislation and regulation concerning GHGs if implemented could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Climate change legislation and regulation may also adversely affect energy and electricity costs. There are ongoing international efforts to address GHG emissions. The United Nations and certain international organizations have taken action against activities that may increase the atmospheric concentration of GHGs. Such measures may result in increased costs to us for installation of new controls aimed at reducing GHG emissions, imposition of carbon taxes, purchase of credits or licenses for atmospheric emissions, and monitoring and registration of GHG emissions from our operations. These measures, if adopted in Argentina, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Changes in the investing and financing markets with respect to issuers with significant GHG emissions could also have such adverse effects.
Climate change may include physical effects that may adversely affect our operations, such as disruption in production and supply chain distribution as a result of major storm events and shifts in regional weather patterns and intensities. Production and shipment levels for our businesses correlate with general construction activity, most of which occurs outdoors and, as a result, is affected by erratic weather patterns, seasonal changes, and other unusual or unexpected weather-related conditions, which can significantly affect our businesses.
Environmental, health and safety regulation may adversely affect our business.
The pollutants generated by cement producers are mainly dust and gas emissions from the use of fossil fuels. Our operations often involve the use, handling, disposal and discharge of hazardous materials into the environment and the use of natural resources. Most of our operations are subject to extensive environmental, health and safety regulations.
In Argentina, regulations regarding gas emissions and air quality are enacted at both the national and provincial levels. We are required to obtain permits and licenses from governmental authorities for many aspects of our operations, and we may be required to purchase and install expensive pollution control equipment or to make operational changes to limit the actual or potential environmental, health and safety impacts of our operations to the environment and our employees. The Province of Buenos Aires, where our principal plants are located, requires that all production facilities have an environmental compliance certificate issued by the Ministry of Environment (former Provincial Organism for Sustainable Development), and similar certifications or approvals are required by relevant municipal or provincial authorities in the other jurisdictions in which we operate. As part of these requirements, local environmental authorities ordinarily make information requests to each of our plants relating to their compliance with environmental laws and regulations and, in the ordinary course of our business, we collaborate with such national and provincial environmental authorities in the conduct of their regulatory activities.
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We could be subject to administrative and criminal sanctions, including warnings, fines and closure orders for our failure to comply with these environmental regulations, which, among other things, limit or prohibit emissions or spills of toxic substances that we emit in connection with our operations. We also may be required to modify or retrofit our facilities at substantial cost in order to comply with waste disposal and emissions regulations. We are subject to inspection by environmental agencies in the various jurisdictions that we operate, which may impose fines, restrictions on our operations or other sanctions. In addition, we are subject to environmental laws that may require us to incur significant costs to mitigate any damage that a project may cause to the environment, which costs may adversely impact the viability or projected profitability of the projects that we intend to implement. Moreover, any damage caused to the environment may oblige our company to pay compensation for damages.
In addition, as a result of possible changes to environmental regulations, the amount and timing of our future environmental compliance expenditures may vary substantially from those we currently anticipate. Certain environmental laws impose liability on us for any and all consequences arising out of exposure to hazardous substances or the generation of environmental damage.
Additionally, the Marrakesh Agreement established by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, that recognizes that no country should be prevented from adopting measures necessary to ensure the quality of its exports, national security, protection of human and animal health, environmental protection, preservation of plants, and prevention of misleading practices. In this sense, The International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (IFBWW) - which brings together trade unions from the construction, wood, forestry, and related sectors - has developed a global campaign under the slogan "No more than 25Kg," basing it on the negative impact of manually carrying loads heavier than that weight on workers' health. Convention No. 127 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) contains provisions regarding the maximum weight of loads carried by a worker. These initiatives were locally reflected by the Resolution 54/2018 of the Secretary of Commerce.
We cannot assure you that the costs we incur to comply with existing current and future environmental, health and safety laws, and liabilities that we may incur from past or future releases of, or exposure to, hazardous substances will not materially and adversely affect us.
Compliance with Resolution 54/2018 of the Secretary of Commerce could adversely affect our operations and profitability.
Pursuant to Resolutions 54/2018 of the former Ministry of Production and Labor Law — which establishes the technical quality and safety requirements for all types and classes of cements used in construction — cement sold in bags must have a maximum net content of 25 kilograms. Therefore, our cement bags must be reduced from 50 kilograms to 25 kilograms. This requirement was enforceable as from October 3, 2022. However, the main cement companies through the AFCP requested an extension of the effective date and worked with the administrative authorities regarding the implementation of this new regulation as well as a potential timeline. On April 24, 2024, the Secretary of Commerce by means of Resolution 11/2024 decided to suspend item 1.4 of Annex II of Resolution 54/2018 until July 1, 2025. Therefore the cement bags reduction will be enforceable as of such date. This implementation could adversely impact our results of operation and financial condition and we will need to incur in capital expenditures to adapt our bags productions lines and packaging.
Compliance with mining regulations or the revocation of our authorizations, licenses and concessions could adversely affect our operations and profitability.
We engage in certain mining operations as part of our cement production processes. These activities depend on authorizations and concessions granted by the Argentine governmental authorities or regulatory agencies. The extraction, mining and mineral processing activities are also subject to applicable laws and regulations, which change from time to time. Although we believe that we are in substantial compliance with applicable laws relating to these activities as well as the terms of our current authorizations and concessions, the effect of any future applicable regulatory changes regarding such matters on our mining activities or mining rights cannot presently be determined. In addition, if our authorizations and licenses are revoked, we may be unable to maintain or improve our cement production levels, which could adversely impact our results of operation and financial condition.
Governmental agencies or other authorities may adopt new laws or regulations that are more stringent than existing laws or regulations or may seek to more stringently interpret or enforce existing laws and regulations that would require us to expend additional funds on environmental or other regulatory compliance or delay or limit our ability to operate as we intend. In addition, these actions could increase the costs associated with the renewal of our existing licenses
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and permits or the cost of seeking new licenses or permits. We cannot assure you that these additional costs will not be material or that our existing permits will be renewed.
Our railway concession operates in a regulated environment, and measures taken by public authorities may impact our activities.
Our transportation operation take place in a regulated environment. The Argentine federal government has the legal authority to regulate rail activities in the country (by means of the enactment of applicable laws and regulations). Therefore, actions taken by the public administration in general may affect the services rendered by us.
Law No. 27,132 in effect since May 20, 2015, provides for important changes in the regulatory framework of the railway system and empowered Argentina’s federal government to renegotiate and, if necessary, terminate concessions currently in force.
Pursuant to Decree No. 158/2021, published on March 12, 2021, the National Government imposed an update mechanism pursuant to which Ferrosur would have to substantially increase the amount of the performance guarantee it had originally posted according to the concession contract (and updated in 2018 voluntarily). Ferrosur has filed an administrative appeal against such Decree before the Argentine Executive Branch not only because the update is considered unreasonable but also because the National Government does not have the right to unilaterally modify the concession contract. On November 24, 2023, through Decree No. 601/2023 the appeal filed by Ferrosur was rejected by the previous administration. On January 2, 2024 Ferrosur filed a new appeal against such decree. As of the date of this annual report, the appeal has not been resolved.
We cannot be certain of the effects on the terms of our concession or any changes to the current regulatory framework that the competent authorities of the federal government may issue and whether these changes will adversely affect our results of operations.
The early termination of our railway concession may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Argentina’s railway concessions are subject to early termination in certain circumstances, including the competent authorities’ decision to reassume control of the service or to terminate the concession for breach of contract. Upon termination of a concession, the leased or operated assets must revert to the federal government. The amount of the compensation may not be sufficient to cover all the losses suffered by us as a result of such early termination. In addition, certain creditors may have priority with regards to such compensation. Likewise, upon termination, the competent authority may claim compensation alleging a purported breach in the concession contract.
In addition, Law No. 27,132 (passed in April in 2015), inter alia, established that the Argentine Executive Branch must adopt all necessary measures to recover the administration of railways infrastructure, provide for open access for the Freight Railroad Transportation system and empowers the Ministry of Transport to terminate and to renegotiate the railways concession contracts. It also provided that the Argentine Executive Branch would create a National Registry of Railroad Operators. Such registry was created by Decree No. 1924/15, within the purview of the National Commission of Transport Regulation (CNRT). The full implementation of the open access scheme entails the re-assumption by the Government of the administration of the railways infrastructure and, once in place, would be a significant change in the Argentine railway system. This regulatory change may benefit those sectors which are interested in operating railways in Argentina, as well as those that wish to transport commodities and other products through them.
On November 2018, Decree No. 1027/2018 was enacted. Decree No.1027/2018 regulates several provisions of Law No. 27,132. On the one hand, it establishes that the renegotiation processes of the current railways concession contracts may allow for an extension of their terms for up to ten years and, inter alia, regulate the investments to be made by the concessionaires. On the other hand, Decree No. 1027/2018 establishes that the open-access scheme will be fully implemented once all the current railway concession agreements have expired, including, if it were the case, the term of their extension.
On March 8, 2018, Ferrosur Roca duly filed before the Ministry of Transport a request for an extension of the term of validity of the concession for ten more years. On March 20, 2019, the Ministry responded, informing Ferrosur Roca that the Special Commission created by Decree No. 1027/2018 would be in charge of the renegotiation of the concession agreement and that such process would include analysis of the concession term extension in order to enable the implementation of the open access scheme (as explained above).
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By the end of 2018, the Ministry of Transport issued Resolution No. 1112/18 through which it appointed new members of the Special Commission. During 2019 Ferrosur Roca participated in two preliminary meetings between the railway transport companies and the Special Commission. In the first days of December 2019, the members of the Special Commission submitted their resignation. The new members took a large part of 2020 to analyze the background and records of the concession.
On May 8, 2020, the board of directors of Ferrosur decided to make the term extension request conditional on the renegotiation of certain terms and conditions of the concession contract, in order to mitigate certain issues that affect our business and alter the balance of the concession contract. Moreover, the Board decided that, in case no agreement is reached during such renegotiation, then Ferrosur Roca would reserve its right to withdraw the concession’s term extension request. In such sense, on May 13, 2020, Ferrosur Roca filed a note with the Ministry of Transport, the Special Commission and the CNRT informing the board of director’s decision in accordance with the above mentioned.
On November 3, 2020, the Ministry of Transport issued the Resolution No. 248/2020 to remove the Lobos-Bolívar railway branch of the General Roca line in the province of Buenos Aires (from km. 98,760 to km. 330,457) from the scope of the railway concession granted to Ferrosur Roca in 1992.
By the end of 2020 the Special Commission requested Ferrosur to ratify the representatives of the company that would interact with the Special Commission, which the company duly complied with. In January 2021, Ferrosur Roca made a new filing before the Special Commission requesting the prompt resumption of the negotiations.
In addition, on March 29, 2021, through Resolution No. 219/2021, the CNRT approved the Rules for the National Registry of Railroad Operators, and granted such capacity to Ferrosur and the other current railway concessionaires, among others. Pursuant to these rules, once the open access scheme is in force, any registered railroad operator will be allowed to provide railroad services regardless of who holds the ownership or possession of the facilities of the loading point or destination. In this sense, the National Government must adopt the necessary measures in order to resume the full administration of the railway infrastructure. The registration is subject to the compliance of certain requirements depending on the type of service (transport of people or goods), the filing of the information required by the CNRT, the compliance with any other regulations issued by the CNRT and the applicable law, and the compliance with the payment of a registration fee and annual fee. The obligations of the operators under this Registry includes the notification to the CNRT of any changes in its corporate structure, the sale of its equity and/or any circumstance adversely affecting the railroad services or the compliance with the requirements and conditions pursuant to which the registration was granted, among others; and the filing of its annual financial statements. The rules also created a set of provisions for determining the regime of violations to the rules and provide that the CNRT will prepare an annual report on each operator’s performance and compliance with the rules and other applicable law.
In accordance with Resolution No. 211/2021, published in the Official Gazette on June 28, 2021, the Ministry of Transport rejected the extension of the term of the concession requested by different companies such as Ferrosur Roca. In that sense, Ferrosur Roca’s concession was due to expire in March 2023. Later on, the CNRT approved the registration of Ferrosur Roca as “Railway Operator” in the National Register of Railway Operators (ReNOF, as per its acronym in Spanish) by the enactment of Disposition No. 122/2022, published in the Official Gazette on February 25, 2022.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, on December 28, 2022, the Argentine Ministry of Transport issued Resolution No. 960/2022, extending the term of the concession by 18 months as of March 10, 2023, until September, 2024. However, the extension may be revoked at any time, with or without cause, and Ferrosur Roca will not be entitled to receive or claim any compensation if the decision to revoke the concession is taken before the September 2024, in accordance to the amended article 4 of Resolution 211/2021.
As of February 26, 2024, the Ministry of Economy is the new authority empowered to carry discussions or proceedings regarding the execution of Resolution 211/2021. According to Decree 195/2024, the Ministry of Economy is the authority entitled to participate in negotiations and modifications of public works and services contracts on railway infrastructures Law pursuant to No. 27,132.
As of the date of this annual report, we cannot guarantee that the Argentine authorities will not terminate our railway concessions prior to the stated terms or that they will extend the term of the railway concession upon the current expiration fixed on September 2024. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee that the Argentine authorities will actually implement the open access scheme nor the mechanism and terms in which the rolling stock will be leased. Any such action
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by the Argentine authorities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
For additional information related to Ferrosur Roca’s railway concession, See “Item 4.B Information on the Company—Business Overview—Ferrosur Roca”.
Our estimates of the volume and grade of our limestone deposits could be overstated, and we may not be able to replenish our reserves.
Our limestone reserves described in this annual report constitute our estimates based on evaluation methods generally used in our industry and on assumptions as to our production. Our proven and probable reserve estimates are based on estimated recoverable tons. While our mining disclosures required by Regulation S-K 1300 for 2022 and 2023 were reviewed by a “qualified person” (as defined in Regulation S-K 1300) employed by us, we did not employ independent third-parties to review reserves over the five-year period ended December 31, 2023. Our mineral reserves data are prepared by our engineers and geologists and are subject to further review by our corporate staff.
Moreover, there are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of reserves and in projecting potential future rates of mineral production, including many factors beyond our control. The calculations of mineral reserves are estimates and depend upon geological interpretation and statistical inferences or assumption drawn from drilling and sampling analyses. Reserve engineering involves estimating deposits of minerals that cannot be measured precisely, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data, as well as engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. These estimates are also subject to uncertainty due to factors that include the inherent variability of the deposit and recoverability of useable material in the mining process. As a result, we cannot assure investors that our limestone reserves will be recovered or that they will be recovered at the rates we anticipate. We may be required to revise our reserve and mine life estimates based on our actual production and other factors. These estimates and assumption could change significantly in the future and could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. If our limestone reserves are lower than our estimates, this may have a material adverse effect on us, particularly if as a result we have to purchase limestone from third-party suppliers, and it could also adversely affect the value of your investment in our securities or subject us to liability under U.S. federal securities laws in the form of SEC enforcement actions or private lawsuits.
Our business is subject to a number of operational risks, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our cement business is subject to several industry-specific operational risks, including accidents, natural disasters, labor disputes and equipment failures. Such occurrences could result in damage to our production facilities, and equipment and/or the injury or death of our employees and others involved in our production process. Moreover, such accidents or failures could lead to environmental damage, loss of resources or intermediate goods, delays or the interruption of production activities and monetary losses, as well as damage to our reputation. Any prolonged and/or significant disruption to our production facilities, whether due to repair, maintenance or servicing, governmental or administrative actions, regulatory issues, civil unrest, industrial accidents, unavailability of raw materials such as energy, mechanical equipment failure, human error, natural disasters, cyberattacks to our systems, public health threat or otherwise, could disrupt and adversely affect our operations.
Additionally, any major or sustained disruptions in the supply of utilities such as water or electricity or any fire, flood or other natural calamities or communal unrest or acts of terrorism or disease outbreaks may disrupt our operations or damage our production facilities or inventories and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our insurance may not be sufficient to cover losses from these events, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our rail transportation and handling of cargo also exposes us to risks of catastrophes, mechanical and electrical failures, collisions and loss of assets. Fires, explosions, fuel leaks and other flammable products as well as other environmental events, cargo loss or damage, railroad, cargo loading and unloading terminal, accidents, business interruptions due to political events as well as labor claims, strikes, adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, such as floods, may result in the loss of revenues, assumption of liabilities or cost increases. Moreover, our operations may be periodically affected by landslides and other natural disasters.
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We typically shut down our facilities to undertake maintenance and repair work at scheduled intervals. Although we schedule shutdowns such that not all of our facilities are shut down at the same time, the unexpected shut down of any facility may nevertheless affect our business, financial condition and results of operations from one period to another. In addition, key equipment at our facilities, such as our mills and kilns, may deteriorate sooner than we currently estimate. Such deterioration of our assets may result in additional maintenance or capital expenditures, and could cause delays or the interruption of our production activities. If these assets do not generate the cash flows we expect, and we are not able to procure replacement assets in an economically feasible manner, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our insurance coverage may not cover all the risks to which we may be exposed.
We face the risks of loss and damage to our products, property and machinery due to fire, theft and natural disasters such as floods. Such events may cause a disruption to or cessation of our operations. Our insurance may not be sufficient to cover losses from these events, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also face risks related to cybersecurity threats, however, as of December 31, 2023, our insurance does not cover losses associated with cybersecurity risks. If our losses exceed our insurance coverage, or if we are not covered by our insurance policies, we may be liable for any shortfalls or losses. Our insurance premiums may also increase substantially because of such claims. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
Our success depends on key members of our management.
Our success depends largely on the efforts and strategic vision of our executive management team and board of directors. The loss of the services of some or all of our executive management or members of our board of directors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The execution of our ongoing business plan also depends on our ongoing ability to attract and retain additional qualified employees. For a variety of reasons, particularly with respect to the competitive environment and the availability of skilled labor, we may not be successful in attracting and retaining the personnel we require. If we are unable to hire, train and retain qualified employees at a reasonable cost, we may be unable to successfully operate our business or capitalize on growth opportunities and, as a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
The introduction of substitutes for cement in the markets in which we operate and the development of new construction techniques could have a material adverse effect on us.
Materials such as plastic, aluminum, ceramics, glass, wood and steel can be used in construction to substitute cement. In addition, other construction techniques, such as the use of dry wall, and the integration of new technologies in the construction industry, such as 3-D printing, mini-mills and mobile plants, and changes in housing preferences could decrease the demand for cement and concrete. In addition, research aimed at developing new construction techniques and modern materials and digitalizing the construction industry may be introduced in the future that could reduce the demand for and prices of our products. The use of substitutes for cement such as recycled concrete and asphalt which are increasingly being used in a number of our markets, particularly urban markets, could cause a significant decrease in the demand and prices for our cement products and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.
We are subject to restrictions due to our non-controlling interests in certain of our consolidated subsidiaries.
We conduct some of our business through subsidiaries. In some cases, other shareholders hold non-controlling interests in these subsidiaries. Non-controlling shareholders’ interests may not always be aligned with our interests and, among other things, could result in our inability to implement organizational efficiencies and transfer cash and assets from one subsidiary to another in order to allocate assets most effectively.
Changes in labor laws and in case law interpretations of labor laws in Argentina that tend to favor employees could negatively affect our results of operations.
In December 2023, the Argentine National Executive issued the Urgent and Necessary Decree No. 70/2023 (“DNU”, for its acronym in Spanish) by which significant changes to labour regulations are made (eliminating fines for
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lack of registration of employment, flexible regulations for employees, contractors, and outsourcing models, among others). However, the two union confederations in Argentina (the General Confederation of Labor -“CGT”- and Argentine Workers’ Central Union -“CTA”-, entities to which all trade unions are associated) presented a challenging against the DNU before the National Labor Courts. So far, the National Labor Chamber of Appeals issued a final resolution considering the DNU as unconstitutional (stating that the DNU is not urgent and necessary, and that Congress should discuss the intended reforms). The Argentine National Executive appealed the resolution before the National Supreme Court. Thus, the scenario is still uncertain. In addition, the Senate rejected the DNU, for which reason it goes to the Chamber of Deputies for its treatment; and in case of rejection, the DNU would lose its effectiveness. On April 16, 2024, the National Supreme Court unanimously rejected two motions against the DNU on the grounds that neither one has brought a case, matter or contentious case before the Court. There are still more claims to be resolved against its legitimacy and it remains uncertain how the Court will proceed.
In the past, the Argentine government has introduced laws, regulations and decrees requiring private companies to maintain certain minimum wage standards and provide specific benefits to employees. We cannot guarantee that the Argentine government will not take measures that will increase wages or require us to provide additional benefits. This would result in an increase in our costs and expenses.
In addition to our own employees, we require third-party contractors to perform certain activities that are part of our business. Therefore, we maintain strict control policies on the compliance of these contractors with their activities. However, due to the interpretation of labor laws made by case law that tend to favor employees, our labor and social security obligations to our employees and to the employees of its third-party contractors have increased significantly. As a result, the risk of being required to pay severance to our employees and to the employees of our third-party contractors has increased. Consequently, despite the terms of the DNU, our labor and social security costs could increase to the extent that our severance costs and labor-related liabilities are increased by future changes in the interpretation of labor laws, adversely affecting our operating results.
Failures in our information technology systems and information security (cybersecurity) systems can adversely impact our operations and reputation.
Our operations are to some extent dependent on information technology and automated operating systems to manage or support our operations. The proper functioning of these systems is critical to the efficient operation and management of our business. Our systems may be vulnerable to damage, disruption or intrusion caused by circumstances beyond our control, such as physical or electronic theft, catastrophes, power outages, natural disasters, computer system or network failures, viruses or malware, unauthorized access and cyber-attacks. In addition, these systems may require modifications or upgrades as a result of technological advancements or the growth of our business. We constantly evaluate the risks we face and, as a result, we reinforce our IT infrastructure by implementing new technologies and solutions to assist in the prevention of potential cyber-attacks, as well as protective measures and contingency plans in the event of an attack. We have established processes to assess, identify and manage material risks arising from cybersecurity threats, which have been integrated into our comprehensive risk management programs. Our executive management collaborates with our information security team to periodically reassess our cybersecurity stance and IT-related security risks, as well as our ability and plans to mitigate and respond to cybersecurity risks. Although we take measures to protect our systems and electronic information and also have disaster recovery plans in case of incidents that could cause significant disruptions to our business, these measures may not be sufficient.
Loma Negra has developed a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan that provides a structured and organized framework to effectively and efficiently address cybersecurity incidents by analyzing the potential impact, containment of the attack, eradication of the threat and recovery all while ensuring operational continuity. We have also developed a Communication Plan to enable information flow among internal and external stakeholders in the event of an incident.
Over the past year, we have reinforced our Awareness Plan, focusing on training our employees on cybersecurity risks and threats as well as instructing them on how to respond to a cybersecurity incident, whether it involves or affects IT resources or the devices used to access Loma Negra's IT systems. In addition, we have conducted disaster simulation drills and awareness-raising talks especially directed to the company's board of directors and senior management.
To date, we have not detected, and our external service providers have not informed us of, any relevant event that has materially damaged, interrupted or caused an intrusion in our systems.Any significant data leakage or theft of
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information could affect our compliance with data privacy laws and harm our relationship with our employees, customers and suppliers, and also adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operation. As of December 31, 2023, our insurance does not cover any risk associated with any cybersecurity risks. In addition, any significant disruption to our systems could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Our Ordinary Shares and the ADSs
The market price of our ADSs may fluctuate significantly, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Volatility in the market price of our ADSs may prevent you from being able to sell your ADSs at or above the price you paid for them. The market price and liquidity of the market for our ADSs may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. The market price of our ADSs increased by 4% and 3% in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The variation in value may be affected by the following factors:
•actual or anticipated changes in our results of operations, or failure to meet expectations of financial market analysts and investors;
•investor perceptions of our prospects or our industry;
•operating performance of companies comparable to us
•increased competition in our industry;
•inflationary trends;
•new laws or regulations or new interpretations of laws and regulations applicable to our business;
•general economic trends in Argentina;
•departures of management and key personnel;
•the trading volume of our ADSs;
•catastrophic events, such as earthquakes and other natural disasters;
•widespread illnesses or epidemics; and
•developments and perceptions of risks in Argentina and in other countries.
Market fluctuations, as well as general political and economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, such as recession or currency exchange rate fluctuations, may also adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares and the ADSs. Although our ADSs listed on the New York Stock Exchange are U.S. dollar-denominated securities, they do not eliminate the currency risk associated with an investment in an Argentine company. Following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, that company may often be subject to securities class-action litigation. This kind of litigation may result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The relative volatility and illiquidity of the Argentine securities markets may substantially limit your ability to sell shares underlying the ADSs at the price and time you desire.
Investing in securities that trade in emerging markets, such as Argentina, often involves greater risk than investing in securities of issuers in the United States. The Argentine securities market is substantially smaller, less liquid, more concentrated and can be more volatile than major securities markets in the United States and is not as highly regulated or supervised as some of these other markets. There is also significantly greater concentration in the Argentine securities market than in major securities markets in the United States. Accordingly, although you are entitled to withdraw the shares underlying the ADSs from the ADR facility, your ability to sell such shares at a price and time at which you wish to do so may be substantially limited. Furthermore, new capital controls imposed by the Argentine Central Bank could have the effect of further impairing the liquidity of the BYMA by making it unattractive for non-Argentines to buy shares in the secondary market in Argentina. See “Item 10.D Additional Information—Exchange Controls”.
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Interpretation of Argentine tax laws may adversely affect the tax treatment of our ordinary shares and the ADSs.
Argentine income tax law provides that the income resulting from the sale, exchange or other transfer of shares and other securities is subject to tax at a rate of 15% for Argentine resident individuals or a sliding scale from 25% to 35%, depending on the accumulated net income obtained during the given year, for Argentine companies; in addition, dividend distributions to Argentine resident individuals or non-Argentine residents are subject to a 7% additional tax, as per the amendment to the Income Tax Law by Law No. 27,630. These corporate rates and the tax on dividends are applicable for fiscal years starting as from January 1, 2021.
Argentine residents are exempt from the tax derived from the sale, exchange or other transfer of shares in case of shares issued by Argentine companies which are listed in capital markets authorized by the CNV and have authorization for public offering by the CNV as long as such transactions are carried out through stock exchanges or stock markets authorized by the CNV.
Income obtained by non-Argentine residents from the sale, exchange or other transfer of shares is subject to income tax rate of 15% of the net income or 13.5% of the gross consideration, to the extent such non-Argentine residents do not reside, and the funds invested do not derive from, a non-cooperative jurisdiction as defined by the Income Tax Law and the “black list” included in its regulatory decree; otherwise, the applicable withholding rates would be 31.5% of the gross consideration. In case of a sale or other transfer between two non-Argentine residents, the income tax must be paid by the seller by means of the following mechanisms: (a) if the seller has a legal representative in Argentina, or appoints someone in Argentina for purposes of paying the tax, then such representative or appointed party must pay the tax; and (b) if the seller does not have a legal representative in Argentina and does not appoint someone, then the seller itself must pay the tax through an international wire transfer .
Argentine income tax law also exempts non-Argentine residents from the payment of the income tax on the sales, exchanges or other transfers of shares issued by Argentine companies which are listed in capital markets authorized by the CNV and have authorization for public offering by the CNV as long as such transactions are carried out through stock exchanges or stock markets authorized by the CNV and to the extent that the seller does not reside in, and the funds invested do not come from, non-cooperative jurisdictions, as defined by the Income Tax Law and the “black list” included in its regulatory decree.
Also, non-residents are exempted from the income tax deriving from the sale or other kind of disposition regarding ADSs which underlying security are shares issued by Argentine companies that comply with the requirements described above.
The holders of our ordinary shares and the ADSs are encouraged to consult with their tax advisers as to the particular Argentine income tax consequences of owning our ordinary shares and ADSs. See “Item 8. Financial Information—Dividends and Dividend Policy” and “Item 10.E Additional Information—Taxation—Material Argentine Tax Considerations”.
Restrictions on transfers of foreign exchange and the repatriation of capital from Argentina may impair your ability to receive dividends and distributions on, and the proceeds of any sale of, the shares underlying the ADSs.
On September 1, 2019, the Argentine government issued Executive Decree No. 609/19 (as amended) which, inter alia, reinstated certain foreign currency exchange restrictions, most of which had been progressively repealed as from 2015. Decree No. 609/19 was further regulated, amended and complemented by several regulations issued by the BCRA (included, but not limited to, Communication “A” 6844, as further amended, supplemented and restated). Since then, the Argentine government implemented monetary and foreign exchange control measures that included restrictions on the transfer of funds abroad, including dividends, without prior approval by the BCRA or fulfillment of certain requirements.
However, starting on January 17, 2020, local companies may transfer funds abroad in order to pay annual dividends only to foreign shareholders and the depositary for the benefit of the American Depositary Shares, or ADS holders, in an amount that (including the amount of the payment being made at the time of the access) does not exceed 30% of the value of new capital contributions of foreign direct investments made to local companies and the funds must be transferred to Argentina and sold for pesos through the foreign exchange market as from such date. In case of non-resident shareholders, the total amount to be paid through the FX Market does not exceed the corresponding amount denominated in pesos that was determined by the shareholders’ meeting. Access to the foreign exchange market for the payment of dividends in cases not above contemplated will require prior approval of the BCRA.
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In addition to the formal exchange controls and regulations, the Argentine Central Bank has exercised in the past a de facto prior approval power for certain foreign exchange transactions otherwise authorized to be carried out under the applicable regulations, such as dividend payments or repayment of principal of intercompany loans as well as the import of goods, by means of regulating the amount of foreign currency available to financial institutions to conduct such transactions.See “Item 10.D Additional Information—Exchange Controls”.
Payments of cash dividends and distributions, if any, will be made in pesos, although we reserve the right to pay in other currency or in kind to the extent permitted by applicable law. Subject to applicable law, the ADS depositary will convert such dividends received in pesos into U.S. dollars and pay such amount to holders of ADSs, net of any dividend distribution fees, ADS depositary´s fees and expenses, currency conversion expenses and taxes or governmental charges, if any. In the event that the ADS depositary is unable to convert immediately the amount in pesos received as cash dividends or the amount in kind into U.S. dollars the amount of U.S. dollars payable to holders of ADSs may be adversely affected by depreciation of the peso or the fluctuation of the value of the payment in kind.
Since the foreign exchange controls were reinstated, the depositary for the ADSs is prevented from converting pesos it receives in Argentina into U.S. dollars for the account of the ADS holders. Since the conversion is not practicable, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is practicable to do so. If the exchange rate fluctuates significantly during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the dividend distribution.
Your voting rights with respect to the shares are limited.
Holders may exercise voting rights with respect to the shares underlying ADSs only in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. There are no provisions under Argentine law or under our by-laws that limit ADS holders’ ability to exercise their voting rights through the depositary with respect to the underlying shares. However, there are practical limitations upon the ability of ADS holders to exercise their voting rights due to the additional procedural steps involved in communicating with such holders. For example, Law No. 26,831 ("LMC") requires us to notify our shareholders by publications in certain official and private newspapers of at least 20 and no more than 45 days in advance of any shareholders’ meeting. ADS holders will not receive any notice of a shareholders’ meeting directly from us. In accordance with the deposit agreement, we will provide the notice to the depositary, which will in turn, as soon as practicable thereafter and subject to legal limitations, provide to each ADS holder upon the terms of the deposit agreement:
•the notice of such meeting;
•voting instruction forms; and
•a statement as to the manner in which instructions may be given by holders (including an express indication that such instructions may be deemed given upon the terms specified below).
To exercise their voting rights, ADS holders must then provide instructions to the depositary how to vote the shares underlying ADSs. Because of the additional procedural step involving the depositary, the process for exercising voting rights will take longer for ADS holders than for holders of shares.
If we timely request the depositary to distribute voting materials to the ADS holders and the depositary does not receive timely voting instructions from an ADS holder on or before the date established by the depositary for such purpose, the depositary shall deem such ADS holder to have instructed the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by our board of directors with respect to the deposited securities represented by the holder’s ADSs. The cutoff time for ADS holders to provide voting instructions to the depositary bank is typically up to two business days prior to the cut-off date to vote shares in Argentina so as to enable the depositary bank to tally the ADS voting instructions received from ADS holders and to provide the corresponding voting instructions at the share level in Argentina through the custodian of the shares represented by ADSs.
Except as described in this annual report, holders will not be able to exercise voting rights attaching to the ADSs.
Holders of ADSs who wish to propose matters or vote on any matters directly should cancel their ADSs and withdraw their underlying ordinary shares to attend and vote at the shareholders meetings.
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If we do not file or maintain a registration statement and no exemption from the Securities Act registration is available, holders of ADSs may be unable to exercise preemptive rights with respect to our ordinary shares, as a result of which your investment may be diluted.
Under the Argentine General Companies Law, if we issue new shares as part of a capital increase, our shareholders will generally have the right to subscribe for a proportional number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentage, which is known as preemptive rights. However, pursuant to the LMC, our shareholders will not be entitled to the right to subscribe for the unsubscribed shares at the end of a preemptive rights offering, known as accretion rights. We may not be able to offer our ordinary shares to holders of ADSs residing in the U.S., or U.S. holders, pursuant to preemptive rights granted to holders of our ordinary shares in connection with any future issuance of our ordinary shares unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective with respect to these shares and preemptive rights, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. We are not obligated to file or maintain a registration statement relating to any preemptive rights offerings with respect to our ordinary shares, and we cannot assure you that we will file or maintain any such registration statement. If we do not file and maintain a registration statement and there is no exemption from registration, the depositary for our ADSs, may attempt to sell the preemptive rights and provide holders of our ADSs with their pro rata share of the net proceeds from any such sale. However, these preemptive rights may expire if the depositary does not sell them on a timely basis, and holders of ADSs will not receive any benefit from such preemptive rights. Even if a registration statement were effective, we may decide to not extend any preemptive or subscription rights to U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) that are holders of our ordinary shares and holders of ADSs. Furthermore, the equity interest of holders of shares or ADSs located in the United States may suffer dilution of their interest in us upon future capital increases.
We are entitled to amend and supplement the deposit agreement and to change the rights of ADS holders under the terms of such agreement, without the prior consent of the ADS holders.
We are entitled to amend and supplement the deposit agreement and to change the rights of the ADS holders under the terms of such agreement, without the prior consent of the ADS holders. Any amendment that imposes or increases any fees, charges or expenses (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, a transaction fee per cancellation request (including through SWIFT, telex or facsimile transmission), applicable delivery expenses or other such fees, charges or expenses), or that shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of ADS' holders, shall become effective 30 days after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the ADS' holders. Any amendments required by new laws, rules o regulations adopted by governmental body or regulatory body, may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to the holders of the ADS.
The substantial share ownership position of our controlling shareholder will limit your ability to influence corporate matters.
Our controlling shareholder beneficially owns approximately 52% of our outstanding ordinary shares as of the date of this annual report. As such, our controlling shareholder has the ability to determine the outcome of substantially all matters submitted for a vote to our shareholders and thus exercise control over our business policies and affairs, including, among others, the following:
•the composition of our board of directors and, consequently, any determinations of our board with respect to our business direction and policy, including the appointment and removal of our executive officers;
•determinations with respect to mergers, other business combinations and other transactions, including those that may result in a change of control;
•whether dividends are paid or other distributions are made and the amount of any such dividends or distributions;
•cause us to issue additional equity securities;
•whether we limit the exercise of preemptive and accretion rights to holders of our ordinary shares in the event of a capital increase to the extent and terms permitted by the applicable law;
•sales and dispositions of our assets; and
•the amount of debt financing that we incur.
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Furthermore, our controlling shareholder’s interests may conflict with your interests as a holder of ordinary shares or ADSs, and it may take actions that might be desirable to it but not to other shareholders and may be able to prevent other shareholders, including you, from blocking these actions or from causing different actions to be taken. Also, our controlling shareholder may prevent change of control transactions that might otherwise provide you with an opportunity to dispose of or realize a premium on your investment in our ADSs. We cannot assure you that our controlling shareholder will act in a manner consistent with your interests.
See ‘Item 7.A. Major Shareholders — Significant Changes in Percentage Ownership’.
The Pledge of a portion of our shares by the Controlling Shares may lead to market fluctuations and potential change of control
On June 4, 2020, Intercement Trading e Inversiones S.A. pledged all of its shares in Loma Negra (which represent 52.14% of our total capital stock) in favor of Planner Trustee DTVM Ltda., as collateral for debenture obligations of Intercement Participações S.A. and Intercement Brasil S.A. Should the pledge be executed by Planner Trustee DTVM Ltda. to satisfy the debt, it may result in a change of control of the company and it may lead to market fluctuations in the price of our shares. Such an event could potentially impact our stakeholder interests and future business prospects of our company.
Our status as a “foreign private issuer” and as a “controlled company” allows us to follow alternate standards to the corporate governance standards of the NYSE, which may limit the protections afforded to investors.
The NYSE’s rules require domestic listed companies that are not “controlled companies” to have, among other requirements, a majority of their board of directors be independent and to have independent director oversight of executive compensation, nomination of directors and corporate governance matters. As a “foreign private issuer”, we are permitted to, and we will, follow home country practice in lieu of the above requirements.
Argentine law, the law of our home country, does not require that a majority of our board consist of independent directors or the implementation of a compensation committee or nominating/corporate governance committee. In addition, under the NYSE rules, a “controlled company” in which over 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group or another company is also not required to have a majority of its board of directors be independent directors and to have a compensation committee or a nominating/corporate governance committee, or to have such committees be composed entirely of independent directors.
We currently follow certain Argentine practices concerning corporate governance and intend to continue to do so. As a “controlled company”, we are eligible to, and, in the event we no longer qualify as a “foreign private issuer”, we intend to, elect not to comply with certain of the NYSE corporate governance standards, including the requirement that a majority of directors on our board of directors are independent directors and the requirement to maintain a compensation and a nominating/corporate governance committee consisting entirely of independent directors. Accordingly, holders of our ADSs will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all NYSE corporate governance requirements and our status as a “foreign private issuer” and a “controlled company” may adversely affect the trading price for our ADSs. For more information, see “Item 16G. Corporate Governance”.
We have incurred and will continue to incur increased costs related to operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial additional time to new compliance initiatives and corporate governance practices.
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Protection Act, as well as rules adopted, and to be adopted, by the SEC and the NYSE. Our management is required to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports, as well as to establish and evaluate periodically disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Additionally, in light of our loss of “emerging growth company” status as of December 31, 2022, we can no longer take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards and must obtain an annual auditor attestation on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. For more information, see “—We are subject to ongoing costs and risks associated with determining whether our existing disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting systems are effective, and if we fail to achieve and maintain adequate controls it could have a material adverse effect on our stated results of operations and harm our reputation.”
Our management and other personnel have devoted and will need to continue to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, we expect these rules and regulations to continue to increase substantially
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our legal and financial compliance costs, and to make certain activities more time-consuming and costly, which will increase our operating expenses. These rules and regulations applicable to public companies may make and have made it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we will likely incur additional costs to maintain sufficient insurance coverage as a public company going forward.
We are subject to ongoing costs and risks associated with determining whether our existing disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting systems are effective, and if we fail to achieve and maintain adequate internal controls it could have a material adverse effect on our stated results of operations and harm our reputation.
We are required to disclose whether our disclosure controls and procedures are effective on an annual basis. These are controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our SEC reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer ("CEO") and chief financial officer ("CFO"), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure. Additionally, we are required to comply with the internal control, evaluation and certification requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. We are also required to provide a management report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
The process of determining whether our existing disclosure controls and procedures are effective, and whether internal controls over financial reporting systems are compliant with Section 404 and whether there are any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our existing internal controls, has required and will continue to require the investment of substantial time and resources, including by our CEO and other members of our senior management. Such management time and resources, as well as our auditor fees, have increased in connection with this annual report due to the need to obtain the auditor attestation, and we expect them to continue to be significant in future years. Additionally, any remedial actions required could divert internal resources and take a significant amount of time and effort to complete and could result in us incurring additional costs that we did not anticipate, including the hiring of outside consultants. We could experience higher than anticipated operating expenses and higher independent auditor fees during and after the implementation of these changes.
For instance, we amended our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 after the SEC determined that we had omitted mining operations disclosures that the SEC deemed to be required under Regulation S-K 1300. As a result, our management determined that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the time. To address this, we implemented a series of actions in 2022 to fix these issues, which, according to our management, including the CEO and CFO, have been effectively remedied. The corrective actions included further training on Regulation S-K 1300 for our financial reporting and legal teams, better communication and collaboration between these teams and a 'qualified person' for preparing Regulation S-K 1300 disclosures, and devising a future compliance plan involving annual materiality assessments of mineral reserves and resources, along with a reporting schedule conforming to Regulation S-K 1300. However, rectifying the issues, responding to the SEC's feedback, and carrying out the remediation plan demanded substantial time and resources from our management, and the potential remains for future risks if we fail to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures.
Any failure of our disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on our stated results of operations and harm our reputation. If we are unable to implement any of the required changes to our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting effectively or efficiently or are required to do so earlier than anticipated, it could adversely affect our operations, financial reporting and/or results of operations and could result in an adverse opinion on internal controls from our management and, our independent auditors. Further, if our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, the reliability of our financial statements may be questioned, our reputation may be harmed, we may become subject to criminal or civil investigations or penalties, and our share price and its trading liquidity may suffer.
Under Argentine corporate law, shareholder rights and obligations may be fewer or less well defined than in other jurisdictions.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our by-laws and by the Argentine corporate law, as amended, which differ from the legal principles that would apply if we were incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States (such as Delaware or New York), or in other jurisdictions outside Argentina. Thus, your rights or the rights of holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs under the Argentine corporate law to protect your or their interests relative to actions by our board
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of directors may be fewer and less well defined under Argentine corporate law than under the laws of those other jurisdictions. Although insider trading and price manipulation are illegal under Argentine law, the Argentine securities markets are not as highly regulated or supervised as the U.S. securities markets or markets in some other jurisdictions. In addition, rules and policies against self-dealing and regarding the preservation of shareholder interests may be less well defined and enforced in Argentina than in the United States, or other jurisdictions outside Argentina, putting holders of our ordinary shares and the ADSs at a potential disadvantage.
The protections afforded to minority shareholders in Argentina are different from and more limited than those in the United States and may be more difficult to enforce.
Under Argentine law, the protections afforded to minority shareholders are different from, and much more limited than, those in the United States. For example, the legal framework with respect to shareholder disputes, such as derivative lawsuits and class actions, is less developed under Argentine law than under U.S. law as a result of Argentina’s short history with these types of claims and few successful cases. In addition, there are different procedural requirements for bringing these types of shareholder lawsuits. As a result, it may be more difficult for our minority shareholders to enforce their rights against us or our directors or controlling shareholder than it would be for shareholders of a U.S. company.
Investors may not be able to effect service of process within the United States limiting their recovery of any foreign judgment.
We are a publicly held corporation (Sociedad anónima) organized under the laws of Argentina. Most of our directors and our executive officers, and a significant part of our assets are located in Argentina. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or such persons or to enforce against us or them in United States courts judgments obtained in such courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws. There is doubt whether the Argentine courts will enforce, to the same extent and in as timely a manner as a U.S. or foreign court, an action predicated solely upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws or other foreign regulations brought against such persons or against us. In addition, the enforceability in Argentine courts of judgments of U.S. or non-Argentine courts with respect to matters arising under U.S. federal securities laws or other non-Argentine regulations will be subject to compliance with certain requirements under Argentine law, including the condition that any such judgment does not violate Argentine public policy (orden público).
Our shareholders may be subject to liability for certain votes of their securities.
Our shareholders are not liable for our obligations. Instead, shareholders are generally liable only for the purchase price of the shares they subscribe. However, shareholders who have a conflict of interest with us and who do not abstain from voting may be held liable for damages to us, but only if the transaction would not have been approved without such shareholders’ votes. Furthermore, shareholders who willfully or negligently vote in favor of a resolution that is subsequently declared void by a court as contrary to Argentine General Companies Law or our bylaws may be held jointly and severally liable for damages to us or to other third parties, including other shareholders. As a result, we cannot assure you that some shareholders may not be held liable for damages or other expenses under the Argentine General Companies Law.
General Risk Factors
Disruption or volatility in global financial and credit markets could have a material adverse effect on us.
The global financial and credit markets are currently experiencing, and have from time to time experienced extreme volatility and disruptions, including severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, rising interest and inflation rates, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates and uncertainty about economic stability. Such volatility and uncertainty in global financial and credit markets have also generally led to an increase in the cost of funding for Argentine and international issuers and borrowers. The sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in March 2023, which became the largest bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis, coupled with the closure of Signature Bank and their placement into receivership with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the liquidity crises experienced by First Republic Bank and Credit Suisse created bank-specific and broader financial institution liquidity risk and concerns. Uncertainty remains over liquidity concerns in the financial services industry and potential impacts on the broader global economy, and our business, our business partners, and/or industry as a whole may be adversely impacted in ways that we cannot predict at this time. If other banks and financial institutions enter receivership or become insolvent in the future in response to financial conditions affecting the banking system and financial markets, our
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ability to access our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments may be threatened and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. In addition, if any of our customers, suppliers or other parties with whom we conduct business are unable to access funds, such parties’ ability to pay or perform their obligations to us or to enter into new commercial arrangements requiring additional payments to us or additional funding could be adversely affected. Moreover, investor concerns regarding the U.S. or international financial systems could result in less favorable commercial financing terms, including higher interest rates or costs and tighter financial and operating covenants, or systemic limitations on access to credit and liquidity sources, thereby making it more difficult for us to acquire financing on acceptable terms or at all. Any material decline in available funding could have a material adverse effect on us.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A.History and Development of the Company
We are a corporation organized as a Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima under the laws of Argentina. Our principal executive offices are located at Boulevard Cecilia Grierson 355, 4th Floor, Zip Code C1107CPG – Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the telephone number of the office is 54-11-4319-3048.
We were founded in 1926, our date of expiration is July 3, 2116 and, pursuant to section 4 of our bylaws, our corporate purpose includes engaging in commercial, industrial, real estate and financial activities. We are also authorized to carry out business in the mining and construction industries, and to operate transportation and public services.
In 1998, we acquired the concrete operations of several producers in the greater Buenos Aires area and in the city of Rosario. These companies were merged into Loma Negra in 2010. We operate our concrete business under the Lomax brand, and we are the leading concrete company in the greater Buenos Aires area and Rosario, being specialists in large construction projects as this segment includes a broad product line of specialty concretes.
In the early 2000s, we finished the construction of L’Amalí, located approximately five kilometers from our Olavarría plant, and LomaSer, located approximately 50 kilometers from the city of Buenos Aires. These two plants are connected through the Ferrosur Roca railway, being a complement of each other, aiming to better serve the greater Buenos Aires and the city of Buenos Aires area, Argentina’s most important cement consumption market.
In 2005, we became part of the InterCement Group. Since then, we have invested in several projects, which have allowed us to increase production and be more efficient and competitive in a demanding market. In order to diversify our energy matrix, we invested in alternative fuels (petroleum coal-petcoke), which makes it possible to keep our kilns running throughout the year substituting, if necessary, natural gas.
In 2009, we acquired La Preferida de Olavarría S.A., or La Preferida de Olavarría, a quarry of stone crushing, thereby allowing us to strengthen our vertical integration. In 2015, this company was merged into Loma Negra.
In 2006, the Loma Negra Foundation was created with a vision of community development and toward the self-sustainability of projects through partnerships with several local actors or other public or private institutions. The Loma Negra Foundation primarily invests in projects related to education, capacity-building, entry of young people into the labor market and inclusive productive business.
In 2012, we acquired 35% of Yguazú Cementos’, a Paraguayan cement company, outstanding shares from Votorantim Cimentos. Additionally, in 2016, we acquired an additional 16% of the company’s outstanding shares from InterCement Brasil, which led us to achieve the control of Yguazú Cementos, with 51% of ownership in the company. However, on August 21, 2020, we decided to sell our total stake in Yguazú Cementos, an operation with high standards of production and profitability. The sale was made to the local shareholder of Yguazú Cementos. We believe the economic result obtained by this operation was very beneficial for us and is in line with the goal of maximizing value for our shareholders. The sale price was US$107 million, and we used the proceeds to repay existing debt and distribute extraordinary dividends.
On October 31, 2017, we completed our initial public offering and on November 1, 2017, our ADSs representing ordinary shares began to trade on the NYSE and MERVAL.
On December 2021, we inaugurated the second line of our L’Amalí plant, located in the city of Olavarría, in the province of Buenos Aires. This second line allows us to increase significantly our production capacity, making our plant one of the largest in South America. The incorporation of the new line is a technological update to our plant and
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increases our productivity. The new line also adopts sustainability policies that comply with international environmental guidelines in terms of environmental care. The new line has high efficiency features, low thermal and electrical consumption and water reuse systems. It incorporates a new clinker kiln that is prepared for the use of alternative fuels made from co-processed waste that replace fossil fuels.
In the context of the L’Amalí expansion, and considering market demands, we decided to repurpose the Barker and San Juan plants. We transformed these plants’ full cement lines into grinding and distribution centers. In 2021, considering the facts above-mentioned, we determined to close the Sierras Bayas Plant.
B.Business Overview
We produce and distribute cement, masonry cement, aggregates, concrete and lime, which are products primarily used in private and public construction. We work with wholesale distributors, concrete producers and industrial customers, among others. We are a vertically-integrated cement and concrete company, with nationwide operations, supported by vast limestone reserves, strategically located plants, top-of-mind brands and established distribution channels. As of December 31, 2023, we held a market share of 44.2% in terms of sales volume in Argentina according to our management estimates.
Over our 98-year history we have built Argentina’s sole nationwide vertically integrated cement and concrete business, supported by top-of-mind brands and captive distribution channels. As of December 31, 2023, our annual installed clinker and cement production capacities amounted to 7.1 million tons and 12.1 million tons, respectively. We hold significant, strategically located limestone reserves and we estimate that our existing quarries have sufficient reserves to support our operations for approximately 146 years, based on the cement production levels of the last five years.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had revenues of Ps. 422,161 million and Ps. 451,954 million, respectively, and net profit of Ps. 9,681 million and Ps. 5,627 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we also had net profit margin amounted to 2.3% and 1.2%, respectively. Our net debt (borrowings offset against cash and banks, cash-equivalent and other short term investments) as of December 31, 2023 was Ps. 140,636 million and Ps. 49,388 million for December 31, 2022.
Our Products
We offer our customers a broad range of high-quality cement products and a diversified product portfolio aimed at meeting all of their cement needs. Since our inception, we have developed and expanded our product range, tailoring different mixtures and product lines for a wide variety of uses and client needs. We currently produce cement (compound cement, cement with calcareous filler, pozzolana cement, as well as other specialty type cements), masonry cement, lime and concrete. For 2023 and 2022, cement represented approximately 88% and 87% of our shipments respectively.
In Argentina, we sell our products under the Loma Negra trademark, which we believe is the most well-known cement brand in Argentina, and which we believe is synonymous with “cement” in the country. We believe that our brand recognition is important, given that bagged cement represents a significant part of the cement sold in Argentina. We sell our products in bulk and in bags, with bagged cement representing approximately 60% of our sales in 2022 and 56% in 2023.
Cement
Through our brand name Loma Negra and our San Martín brand, a well-known brand for Portland cement and compound cement, we produce 11 different types of cement in bags and 16 types of cement in bulk. Our cement products meet all requirements and quality standards as outlined in the following Standard Specifications of the Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación, or the IRAM Institute: IRAM-50000:2017, IRAM-50001:2017 and IRAM-50002:2009. These specifications were constructed based upon the European Cement Standards. The IRAM Institute is a member of the International Standard Organization, or the ISO.
Masonry Cement
As part of our continued diversification of our product line, we entered the masonry cement market in 1973. Our masonry cement brand Plasticor is well-known in Argentina. In the masonry cement market we believe we are market
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leaders, followed by Hidralit of Cementos Avellaneda S.A., in a market that represents approximately 1 million tons per year.
Lime
We produce two different types of lime: (1) hydraulics, under the brands Cacique Plus and Cacique Max; and (2) industrial, under our brand Loma Negra Plus. These products are generally used for generic masonry, underpinning, interior and exterior plaster, interior and exterior subfloors and soil stabilization. The mixing process includes cement, sand and lime.
The oldest and most traditional use of lime has been in mortar and plaster, because of its superior plasticity and workability. There are other applications of lime in construction. The dominant construction-related use of lime is soil stabilization for roads, building foundations and earthen dams. Lime is added to low quality soils to produce a usable base and sub base. Hydrated lime has long been acknowledged to be a superior anti-stripping addition for asphalt pavements. It also helps resist rutting and fracture growth at low temperatures, reduce age hardening and improve the moisture resistance and durability.
Concrete and Aggregates
We participate in the concrete market under our Lomax brand offering different types of concrete. We also sell granitic aggregates through our plant La Preferida in Olavarría, which is responsible for approximately 44% of the aggregates consumed by Lomax in their concrete production operations, as of 2023.
Lomax offers a highly recognized set of solutions to our clients, including quality control, in-place facilities and logistics solutions, among other features, which can be customized to our customer’s needs. Lomax concentrates its operations on the segments in which it can assert its differential attributes: focus on quality, operational and logistic capacity and development of customized solutions.
Production Process
Cement Production
We produce cement in a closely controlled chemical process. All our plants use the dry cement production process, incorporating state of the art technology. Below we set forth the standard phases of the cement production process, which consists of the following main stages: extraction and transportation of limestone from the quarry; grinding and homogenization to make the raw meal of consistent quality; clinkerization; cement grinding; storage in silos; and packaging, loading and distribution.
1. Mining
The extraction process of the principal raw materials (limestone and clay). Naturally occurring calcareous deposits such as limestone, marl or chalk provide calcium carbonate and are extracted from quarries, often located close to the cement plant. In the pre-operational phase, the extraction process begins with mining research and probing to identify the quality and quantity of limestone. Once economic feasibility is established, we begin planning the mining work to define final digging configuration as well as the size of the fleet of vehicles and equipment needed for the operation. In the operational phase, the blocs are marked, and the holes are made by punch presses. The holes are then loaded with explosives and detonated to obtain fragmented material, which is then transported to the crushing system to reduce the granulation level. Clay extraction does not normally require explosives.
2. Transportation
Limestone is loaded by large blades on dump trucks and carried to the crushing plant.
3. Primary crushing
The primary crusher converts the rocks into small stones.
4. Pre-homogenization of the limestone and clay
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Approximately 90% of the limestone is stored in a park, where the first homogenization of the chemical composition of the stone is achieved. At the crusher, the limestone rocks are reduced to fragments measuring approximately ten centimeters for vertical raw mills, and one inch for ball mills. This crushed limestone is then transported to the cement plant by truck or conveyor belt. Clay is also transported by truck to the plants. At the clinker plant, crushed limestone is blended by reducing the variations in chemical properties in order to obtain a homogenized mixture of limestone and clay.
5. Grinding and homogenization (“raw meal” production)
The crushed pieces are then milled together to produce a powder called “raw meal”. Subsequently, the raw meal is sent to a blending/storage silo from where it is fed into the pre-heater.
6. Burning of raw meal to produce clinker (“clinkerization”)
A pre-heater is a series of vertical cyclones through which the raw meal is passed. In these cyclones, thermal energy is recovered from the hot flue gases and the raw meal is preheated before it enters the kiln, so the necessary chemical reactions occur faster and more efficiently. Calcination is the decomposition of limestone to lime. Part of the reaction takes place in the “pre-calciner” and part in the kiln. Here, the chemical decomposition of limestone typically emits 65% of total emissions. The pre-calcined meal then enters the kiln. Fuel is fired directly into the kiln to reach temperatures of up to 1,450 degrees Celsius. The intense heat causes chemical and physical reactions that partially melt the meal to form a mixture of calcium silicates and other silicates, which is called “clinker”.
7. Cooling and final milling of clinker to produce cement
From the kiln, the hot clinker falls onto a grate cooler where it is cooled to a temperature of approximately 100 degrees Celsius by incoming combustion air. A typical cement plant will have clinker storage between clinker production and grinding. Traditionally, ball mills have been used for grinding, although more efficient technologies like roller presses and vertical mills are used in many modern plants today. In this form, cement reacts as a binding agent that, when mixed with water, sand, stone and other aggregates, is transformed into concrete or mortar.
8. Storing in the cement silo
The final product is stored in cement silos and dispatched from there to either a packing station (for bagged cement) or to a bulk silo. Most of our product is sold in paper bags, which are generated through an industry standard automatic bagging process.
9. Cement dispatch
Cement is dispatched in bulk or in paper bags sacked on pallets.
The chart below illustrates the different phases of our cement production process, as numbered above:
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To ensure an efficient production process, our plants use monitoring and control tools, including: (1) automated controls using specialized software for the operation and monitoring of the cement production process; (2) measuring and testing equipment that offer metrological reliability; and (3) SAP system support for management of production planning and maintenance.
Concrete Production
Concrete is produced either in concrete plants and transported directly to construction sites as concrete in trucks or produced at the construction sites. In the concrete industry, it is crucial to have a close network of concrete plants to meet customers’ delivery needs.
The concrete production process is a question of minutes with a logistic cycle of 2.5 hours per trip. Cement mixed with water, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates and chemical admixtures enters the hydrate phase. After a short period, a chemical reaction hardens the concrete into a permanent form of artificial stone. Compressive strength, durability, setting times, ease of placing, and workability under various weather and construction conditions characterize this building material.
Lime Production
1. Mining, crushing and homogenization of the limestone
The extraction process of the principal raw material: limestone. See “—Cement Production”.
2. Burning of limestone to produce quicklime (“calcination”)
The limestone then enters the kiln. Fuel is fired directly into the kiln to reach temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees celsius. The intense heat causes physical reactions that partially transform limestone into quicklime.
While there are multiple kiln types in use, we have a rotary kiln in our plants. A rotary kiln consists of a rotating cylinder that sits horizontal. Limestone is fed into the upper or “back end” of the kiln, while fuel and combustion air are fired into the lower or “front end” of the kiln. Limestone is heated as it moves down the kiln toward the lower end. As the preheated limestone moves through the kiln, it is “calcined” into lime to reach temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees celsius. The lime is discharged from the kiln into a cooler where it is used to preheat the combustion air. Lime can either be sold as is or crushed to make hydrated lime.
3. Cooling and storing of quicklime
From the kiln, the hot lime falls onto a grate cooler where it is cooled to a temperature of approximately 200 degrees celsius by incoming combustion air. A typical lime plant will have a quicklime production and hydration and classification plant.
4. Hydration and classification plant to produce hydrated lime
Quicklime can be processed into hydrated lime by crushing the quicklime, adding water to the ground lime, and then classifying the hydrated lime to ensure it meets customer specifications before it is transported.
5. Storing in the lime silo and dispatch
The final product is stored in lime silos and dispatched from there to either a packing station (for bagged hydrated lime) or to a bulk silo. Most of our product is sold in paper bags, which are generated through an industry standard automatic bagging process.
Masonry Cement Production
The production of masonry cement is similar to cement production, See “ —Cement Production”. However, the blending and final milling of the clinker processes vary in the production of masonry cement.
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1. Blending
Masonry cement consists of a mixture of clinker, gypsum and plasticizing materials (such as limestone), together with other additions introduced to enhance one or more properties of the cement, such as: setting time, workability, water retention, and durability. We prepared our additions for masonry cement at our Olavarría plant.
2. Final milling of clinker to produce masonry cement
Ball mills are used for grinding. In this form, masonry cement is designed to be mixed with sand and water to produce a masonry mortar. Masonry mortar is specially formulated and manufactured for use in brick, block, and stone masonry construction. Masonry cements are also used to produce stucco.
3. Storing in the cement silos
The final product is stored in cement silos and dispatched from there to either a packing station (for bagged masonry cement) or to a bulk silo. Most of our product is sold in paper bags, which are generated through an industry standard automatic bagging process.
Capacity and Volumes
In 2022, our production volume reached 6.5 million tons of cement, masonry and lime, and in 2023, it reached 6.3 million tons. We had a cement installed capacity of 12.1 million tons, a concrete installed capacity of 1.3 million m3, an aggregated installed capacity of 2.2 million tons annually and a lime installed capacity of 0.5 million tons annually. Annual installed capacity is based on a 365-day production per annum based on international key performance indicators, or KPIs.
The following table sets forth certain data related to our operations for the periods indicated.
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
Operating data (million tons annually)(1) | |||||||||||||||||
Installed cement capacity | |||||||||||||||||
| Total installed cement capacity | 12.1 | 12.1 | 12.1 | ||||||||||||||
Installed clinker capacity | |||||||||||||||||
| Total installed clinker capacity | 7.1 | 7.1 | 7.1 | ||||||||||||||
Installed concrete capacity in Argentina (in m3)(2) | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Installed aggregates capacity in Argentina | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Installed lime capacity in Argentina | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Production volume (millions of tons): | |||||||||||||||||
| Cement, masonry and lime total | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.0 | ||||||||||||||
Clinker Total | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.1 | ||||||||||||||
________________
(1)Annual installed capacity is based on a 365-day production per annum based on international KPIs.
(2)Installed concrete capacity refers to concrete capacity based on plants dispatch capacity.
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The table below sets forth the name, location and annual clinker and cement production at each of our seven cement plants during the year ended December 31, 2023:
| Name | Location | Annual Production of Clinker | Annual Production of Cement, Masonry Cement and Lime | |||||||||||||||||
| (in millions of tons) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Barker | Benito Juárez | — | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Catamarca | El Alto | 0.9 | 1.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| L’Amalí / LomaSer | Olavarría/Vicente Casares | 3.2 | 3.6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Olavarría | Olavarría | 0.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| San Juan | San Juan | — | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Zapala | Zapala | 0.3 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Ramallo | Ramallo | — | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 4.3 | 6.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
The following table sets total production of each of our plants of cement, masonry cement and lime, our principal products, for each of the periods indicated:
| Name | Production for the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions of tons) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Argentina: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Barker | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Catamarca | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | |||||||||||||||||
| L’Amalí/ LomaSer | 3.6 | 3.6 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Olavarría | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||
| San Juan | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Zapala | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Ramallo | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Quality Control
We monitor quality control measures at each stage of the cement production process. At each of our plants, we review our production line, and periodically perform examinations of the raw material mix. These examinations include chemical, physical and x-ray tests. We perform similar examinations on the clinker we produce as it comes out of our kilns. In addition, we similarly test our finished products.
These examinations are performed by sampling the subject material from the various points on each production line. All of our plants have received ISO 9001 certification, which reflects the quality of our products and of our operating procedures. Our quality controls comply with the ISO 9000 rules.
Raw Materials
The principal raw materials used in the production of cement include: (1) limestone, clay and gypsum for the production of clinker, and (2) clinker additions, including blast furnace slag, pozzolana, fly ash, and paper bag, since we package a substantial portion of our cement in bags. These items, among others raw materials, collectively represented 18% in 2023, 15% in 2022 and 11% in 2021, of our total cost of sales. To further maintain our cost competitiveness, we obtain nearly all of our mineral resources from our own quarries, using, either third party services or our own mining equipment. For the year ended December 31, 2023, all of our limestone was sourced from our own quarries. We own and exclusively operate our limestone quarries.
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Mining Operations Disclosure (Mineral Reserves)
The disclosures in this section titled “Mining Operations Disclosure” are provided to comply with Regulation S-K Item 1300 of the SEC, which govern disclosures by registrants engaged in mining operations. This section contains summary disclosure of all of the company’s mining operations as required by Regulation S-K Item 1303.
Additionally, the company considers the La Pampita y Entorno mining operations to be individually material for purposes of application of Regulation S-K 1304, and thus has provided individual property disclosure for them as so required. Our reserves are a sum of proven and probable reserves. The terms “mineral resource,” “mineral reserves”, “proven reserves” and “probable reserves” as used in this section are defined in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 1300. “Proven reserves” are those mineral masses for which size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well established, revealed by geological surveys, drilling campaigns, chemical analysis and geological modeling, to ensure exploitability and usage. All of these activities determine the quantity of minerals that matches the quality required by our production process. Our proven reserves contain suitable geological and chemical information density (drill holes) to guarantee their existence, continuity and the suitability of use. Proven reserves are constrained by a final pit configuration (effectively exploitable reserves). In addition to the foregoing, we consider reserves to be proven if they are present on land we own and if related environmental permits have been granted. “Probable reserves are mineral masses for which quantity or quality are computed from information similar to that used from proven reserves, but the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are farther apart. Our probable reserves contain similar suitable geological and chemical information density (drill holes) to guarantee their existence, continuity and the suitability of use than our proven reserves. The degree of assurance, although sometimes lower than that for proven reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation. In addition to the foregoing, we consider reserves to be probable if they are not present on land we own or if related environmental permits have not been granted.
Our proven and probable reserve estimates are based on estimated recoverable tons and are prepared by our engineers and geologists (at least one of whom is a “qualified person” as defined in Regulation S-K Item 1300) and then analyzed and verified by other business units within the company. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, we filed as Exhibit 96.1 to the annual report on Form 20-F, a copy of the technical report summary (TRS) prepared by a "qualified person" employed at the company that was required by Regulation S-K Item 1302. Such TRS identifies and summarizes in all material respects the information reviewed and conclusions of such qualified person specifically to the La Pampita y Entorno individual property disclosures in this section as of the dates stated in such technical report summary. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, after careful review, we have determined that there have been no material changes to our reserves at the La Pampita y Entorno quarry that would necessitate an update to the TRS filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Therefore, we have not engaged in the preparation of a new TRS for the current reporting period. The company's engineering and geological teams, along with our corporate oversight functions, ensure ongoing accuracy and relevance of our mineral reserve data. We will continue to monitor and will disclose any material changes to our reserves in accordance with SEC requirements and our commitment to transparency and shareholder communication.
In line with Regulation S-K 1300, we make no determination in this section as to the existence of mineral resources for any of our other mining properties, as it is not material to our business.
Summary Mining Operations Disclosure
Overview of Mining Properties and Operations
Our cement operations are supplied by limestone reserves that are located within close proximity to our production facilities. We own and operate five open-pit quarries from which limestone can be extracted efficiently due to the proximity of the limestone deposits to the surface and the quality of the limestone in the mines that meets the process requirements. We have total limestone reserves of approximately 1,074.7 million tons, which should be sufficient to supply us with approximately 146 years of cement production at our last five years rate of consumption.
Each of our plants possesses and is responsible for several active and inactive mining licenses. Active mining licenses are those for which we hold all necessary permits and rights to actively exploit the mineral resources. Each of our plants also holds inactive mining licenses on areas for which we do not have the operational license, since their exploitation is not currently necessary.
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Our mining capital expenditures are focused on developing new quarries and sustaining investments, and are used mainly for mining equipment, crushing systems, safety equipment and environmental compliance.
The below table includes a complete list of our mining operations, including relevant information for each quarry. As noted below, all of our mining operations are in the production stage.
List of our Mining Operations by Region
| Name of mining operation | Location of the mining operation | Type and amount of ownership interests | Operator | Surface | Stage of the mining operation | Permits | Key condition of permit | Type of mine / material | Beneficiation plant and other installations | Aggregate Production 2021 | Aggregate Production 2022 | Aggregate Production 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Has) | (in thousands of tons) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Doña Amalia | Catamarca | 100 | Loma Negra | 298 | Production | Yes | EIA (1) and others | Open Pit / Limestone | Mining facilities | 1,353.2 | 1620.6 | 1621,0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Piedras Blancas (2) | San Juan | 100 | Loma Negra | 117 | Production | Yes | EIA (1) and others | Open Pit / Limestone | Mining facilities | 21.6 | 14.4 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
El Salitral y Cerro Bayo | Zapala | 100 | Loma Negra | 2,995 | Production | Yes | EIA (1) and others | Open Pit / Limestone | Mining facilities | 412.3 | 466.2 | 467.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Barker | Barker | 100 | Loma Negra | 269 | Production | Yes | EIA (1) and others | Open Pit / Limestone | Mining facilities | 331.6 | 331.9 | 314.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
La Pampita y Entorno | Olavarría | 100 | Loma Negra | 1,850 | Production | Yes | EIA (1) and others | Open Pit / Limestone | Mining facilities | 5,674.4 | 5949.8 | 5.632 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| La Preferida | Buenos Aires | 100 | Loma Negra | 94 | Production | Yes | EIA (1) and others | Open Pit / Granite | Mining facilities | 960.9 | 1310.7 | 1459.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Environmental Impact Study (EIA). Permits or licenses have been obtained, are being renewed or are being processed in accordance with current regulations.
(2) As to the date of this annual report, Piedras Blancas Quarry is closed and no further exploitation is expected.
The aggregate production of all limestone mining operations for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was 8,034.7 thousand tons, 8,382.9 thousand tons and 7,792.9 thousand tons, respectively, and the production of our granite operation for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was 1,459.8 thousand tons, 1,310.7 thousand tons and 960.9 thousand tons, respectively.
The following map of Argentina shows the location of our total material and non-material mining operations. Our mining operations are located in Catamarca, San Juan, Zapala, and the central Buenos Aires region. For more information on all of our facilities, see “Item 4.D—Information on the Company—Properties.”
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General Map of our Mining Operations
Overview of Mineral Reserves
The below table summarize the mineral reserves of all of our mining concession. We do not classify our reserves by average grade.
Drilling or sample density information is not the key criteria we use to distinguish proven from probable reserves. Nevertheless, to analyze the drill hole data from our quarries we assume the following distance ranges between drill holes: for active quarries, between 60 and 150 meters, and for inactive quarries, between 150 and 300 meters. The density between drill holes (samples) used in the reserves estimation process is a function of the geological complexity of the deposits and the chemical heterogeneity of the materials used in the process; therefore, we do not have a single, fixed criteria for all of our mineral reserves. We also do not use the price or cost of raw materials used in the cement production process as a variable in our reserves’ evaluation process because there is no global commodity market value for these raw materials, which prices depend on the cement local market value.
We distinguish recoverable limestone from waste by evaluating whether the limestone rocks are adequate to be used in a raw mill, which is a powder composed of a clay and limestone mixture, and other minerals. In order to meet raw mill specifications, we generally use limestone with at least a 75% concentration of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Although there is no specific cutoff grade for aggregates, we distinguish recoverable aggregates from waste by segregating the type of rock extracted from the quarry. The most common rocks used for aggregates production are granite, basalt, limestone, sand or gravel.
Depending on the type of cement product, we require approximately 1.5 tons of limestone to produce one ton of clinker. On average, we require approximately 1.2 tons of limestone to produce one ton of cement product. In addition, on average, we required approximately one ton of rock to produce one ton of aggregates product.
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Summary of our Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2023
| Proven mineral reserves | Probable mineral reserves | Total mineral reserves | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Grades/ Qualities | Amount | Grades/ Qualities | Amount | Grades/ Qualities | |||||||||||||||
| (Million Tons) | (% CaO) | (Million Tons) | (% CaO) | (Million Tons) | (% CaO) | |||||||||||||||
Limestone: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Doña Amalía | 50.3 | 44.0 | 56.2 | 44.6 | 106.5 | 44.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Piedras Blancas* | — | — | 0.6 | 50.9 | 0.6 | 50.9 | ||||||||||||||
| El Salitral y Cerro Bayo | 30.6 | 44.1 | 48.4 | 43.7 | 79.0 | 43.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Barker | 43.8 | 46.4 | 27.0 | 46.1 | 70.8 | 46.2 | ||||||||||||||
| La Pampita y Entorno** (Don Gabino – Los Abriles – SASII) | 579.8 | 47.4 | 35.3 | 47.1 | 615.1 | 47.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Cerro Soltero I | — | — | 53.5 | — | 53.5 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Cerro Soltero II | — | — | 111.6 | — | 111.6 | — | ||||||||||||||
| El Cerro | — | — | 37.6 | — | 37.6 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Granitic aggregates: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| La Preferida | 59.0 | — | 54.2 | — | 113.2 | — | ||||||||||||||
The Company used an average price of US$ 93 per tonne for the economic analysis.
* Limestone is used for cement and lime production. 100% of the limestone received at the plant is used.
** As to the date of this annual report, Piedras Blancas Quarry is closed and no further exploitation is expected.
Individual Properties Disclosure
La Pampita y Entorno
Location and History
The La Pampita y Entorno quarry extends over the mining operations of La Pampita, Don Gabino, Los Abriles, and San Alfredo Sur II, which are located in the district of Olavarría, Buenos Aires province. The quarry is located 20 kilometers to the southeast of the city of Olavarría, near the town of Villa Alfredo Fortabat. The region is generally characterized by nonmetal mining activity, including cement as well as aggregates and ceramics.
The mining operations are carried out on land owned by Loma Negra since 1980. Exploration activity began that same year and has since been conducted discontinuously to date. Exploitation of the La Pampita mining property began in 1999. The San Alfredo Sur II, Los Abriles and Don Gabino mining properties are currently inactive and do not register any mining activities (i.e., they are entirely exploratory projects). In 2023, we did not conduct any exploration activity at the La Pampita y Entorno quarry.
Our L’Amalí and Olavarría cement plant and La Pampita y Entorno mining operations are shown in the maps below.
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L’Amalí and Olavarría Cement Plant
Right Image — Lower right margin: Latitude: 37° 3'12.12"S, Longitude: 60°14'58.06"W. Top left margin: Latitude: 36°58'42.59"S, Longitude: 60°19'58.69"W.
La Pampita y Entorno Mining Operations
Right Image — Lower right margin: Latitude: 37° 4'52.25"S, Longitude: 60° 6'33.87"W. Top left margin: Latitude: 36°50'41.71"S, Longitude: 60°21'49.94"W.
Infrastructure and Personnel
The La Pampita y Entorno quarry has the necessary infrastructure for normal operations. Facilities for electric power, water supply, fuels, accesses, and roads have been installed.
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La Pampita y Entorno has two primary ThyssenKrupp crushers. One sends limestone to L'Amalí plant through conveyor belts for further storage in two preheaters. The other primary crusher sends material either to the lime factory or to the secondary crusher.
In the quarry, electrical energy is supplied through a 33 Kv line coming from the L’Amalí plant, and the plant is externally fed by a 132 KV line. There are seven electrical substations in the quarry.
The fuel used for operational purposes is supplied to the contractor by a subcontractor.
The water extracted from the quarry is used for irrigation, dust suppression sprinkler systems in crushers and belts, quarry services (buildings and restrooms) and for 100% of the water supply to the L’Amalí plant.
Loma Negra’s personnel conducts its operations at La Pampita quarry with its own staff and contractors, including 18 employees and 122 outsourced staff from both contractors.
The majority of the La Pampita y Entorno quarry’s personnel comes from the town of Olavarría, adjacent to the quarry. There are also personnel from other regions of Argentina.
Personnel are transported from the town of Olavarría to the quarry in buses and pickup trucks.
Mining Concession Ownership and Area
The mining producer registration (RPM) was granted by Resolution EX-2020-15636796-GDEBA-DPGMMPCEITGP of the Undersecretary of Mining of Buenos Aires Province.
The procedure to obtain a mining concession is established in Argentina’s Mining Code (as described below).
We have the surface rights of the operation area in the La Pampita y Entorno quarry.
Royalties
The main statute that governs mining in Argentina is the Mining Code, which was enacted nationwide by Law No. 1,919 of 1886, as amended.
We pay the mining canon for each concession on a bi-annual basis.Payment is equivalent to US$0.5 per hectare.
The payment is made through regular banking channels.
In the event that mining royalties are not declared or paid, penalties for infractions and default interest for non-compliance are incurred. However, failure to pay these fines will not result in the loss of the mining concession.
We also pay a quarry exploitation fee. Municipalities establish certain taxes that may have incidence on mining developments. Each jurisdiction in which mining activities are developed has its legislation.
For example, municipalities may charge a quarry exploitation quota equivalent to the amount of limestone contained in the cement dispatched or sold from the factory at a rate determined by each municipality. The rate is determined at a fixed amount, which is updated on a monthly basis. This amount represented 1.4% of sales in 2023 of cement, masonry cement and lime.
Set forth below is additional information relevant to this property.
Mining Activities
The mining method is open pit mining, which consists of mining in a series of benches with pit expansion possible both vertically and laterally. The quarry generally proceeds top-down with a height of 10 meters. The materials are then loaded and transported to the primary crusher or waste dump by dump trucks.
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The diagram below sets forth a block diagram of the mining process of the La Pampita y Entorno quarry.
Diagram of Mining Process of the La Pampita y Entorno Quarry
Cement Plants
Our L’Amalí and Olavarría plants have been in operation for 23 and 98 years, respectively, and both use the limestone extracted from the La Pampita quarry in the manufacture of cement and lime.
Our L’Amalí and Olavarría plants are located in Olavarría area. These plants are located two and five kilometers, respectively, from the La Pampita y Entorno quarry and receive raw materials from the La Pampita y Entorno quarry.
Our plants produce various products for the construction industry, the main product being cement. Different types of cement are produced depending on their applications, using limestone, iron ore and clays as raw materials. Our Olavarría plant also produces lime as a product, using limestone as a raw material.
The below figure shows the flow of cement production at the L'Amalí and Olavarría plants.
L'Amalí and Olavarría plants process block diagram
The below figure shows the flow of lime production at the Olavarría plant.
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Olavarría plant process block diagram for lime production
We believe that the equipment in operation at our L’Amalí and Olavarría plants is in optimal condition to avoid any interruption in cement and lime production. Maintenance and optimization of the equipment is carried out periodically and is supervised by our personnel. The equipment is in good condition and operational.
Our L’Amalí and Olavarría plants have facilities such as maintenance workshops, warehouses, laboratories, administrative offices, and cement and lime production lines that support production.
La Pampita y Entorno Quarry
The La Pampita y Entorno quarry have been operating for 24 years. The material extracted from the quarry is exclusively used to supply our plants. The amount of limestone to be mined is planned annually as part of our overall mining plan.
We believe that the equipment in operation at the La Pampita y Entorno quarry are in optimum condition to maintain continuity of operations. Maintenance and optimization of the equipment is carried out periodically and is supervised by the operator of the quarry. The equipment is in good condition and operational.
Facilities
The La Pampita y Entorno quarry has facilities such as offices, an electrical substation, a maintenance shop, a lubricant warehouse, a gas station, an oil tank, a guardhouse, a limestone field, a dining room, a laboratory, a truck scale, an ore belt, a loading tunnel, a meteorological station, a safety trench and a septic tank.
The book value of L’Amalí and Olavarría cement plants and the La Pampita y Entorno quarry, taking into account all of the above factors, amounts to Ps. 361,120 million as of December 31, 2023.
Property Encumbrances
We do not make any payments with respect to any significant encumbrances for the L’Amalí and Olavarría plants, and the La Pampita y Entorno property. The La Pampita y Entorno mining operations currently have no outstanding payments with respect to infractions and penalties.
Geology
The La Pampita y Entorno quarry is located in the Tandilia System, a mountain belt which is geomorphologically composed of three main groups of small hill ranges surrounded by plains. The basement of the Tandilia System is made up of granitic complexes and sedimentary rocks of various ages. Calcareous formations are useful materials for the conformation of the raw material used in the cement industry. The contributions of CaCO3 from the calcareous levels allow a mining process suitable for the industry.
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The figure below shows the stratigraphic column of the area of the La Pampita y Entorno quarry, as well as a geological model of the quarry.
Geological Model of La Pampita y Entorno Quarry
Reserves
The table below sets forth the categories and quality of the mineral reserves of the La Pampita y Entorno operations.
Summary of Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2023
| Amount | Grades/ qualities | Grades/ qualities | Grades/ qualities | Grades/ qualities | Cut-off grades | |||||||||||||||
| (Million Tons) | (% SiO) | (% Fe2O3) | (% Al2O3) | (% CaO) | STC | |||||||||||||||
| Proven mineral reserves. | 579.8 | 11.3 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 47.4 | 139.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Probable mineral reserves | 35.3 | 11.7 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 47.1 | 133.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Total mineral reserves | 615.1 | 11.3 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 47.4 | 138.8 | ||||||||||||||
Note: All reserves are estimated as quantities at cement plant.
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For evaluation purposes, information from exploration activities from previous years has been used and is the database for the reserves model.
The reserve estimation considered the quality restrictions of limestone received in L'Amalí and Olavarría cement plants, accessibility to the reserves, economic factors and modifying factors.
A life of mine of 119 years has been calculated for the quarry, based on the exploitation of the last five years. Considering the maximum capacity of the plants supplied by the quarry, the life of mine would be 62 years.
The following table includes a reconciliation of reserves at the end of the last two fiscal years.
Reserves for the Last Two Fiscal Years Expressed in Millions of Tons*
| Reserves as of December 31, 2022 | Reserves as of December 31, 2023 | Discrepancy | |||||||||
| (Million Tons) | |||||||||||
| Proven reserves | 585.4 | 579.8 | 5.6 (1) | ||||||||
| Probable reserves | 35.3 | 35.3 | 0 | ||||||||
* The per-ton price assumed for the Mineral Reserves estimation in the economic model is 93 US dollars per ton. All reserves are estimated at cement plant. The average price is 93 US dollars per ton of cement, average of a 62-year projection, at nominal values.
(1) The discrepancy of 5.6 million tons (1%) in the proven reserves corresponds to the lime consumption for the 2023 period.
Development of the Property Activities
Not applicable.
Internal Controls for Reserves Disclosures
We conduct annual operational governance, checking our mineral reserves and reviewing new production volumes and geologic aspects to maintain high safety standards and sufficient volume to guarantee our production without overburdening our activities.
We have implemented controls and procedures designed for quality assurance and quality control on the company’s production activities and associated information for the estimation of mineral resources and reserves.
The quality assurance and quality control measures are applied to quarry production and cement plant processing activities. We apply industry standards to evaluate the reliability of laboratory results that analyze exploration samples used in calculating mineral reserve estimates, which are then analyzed and verified annually by other business units within the company. Internal personnel also verify the data resulting from analysis prior to using it in their work.
Additionally, we have implemented internal controls designed to ensure its mineral resources and reserves estimates are compliant with Regulation S-K Item 1300 requirements, including the preparation of reserve estimates by “qualified persons” and others on the matter in the different locations where we operate.
Energy Sources
We maximize the efficiency and flexibility of our operations by employing several energy sources in our production processes that may be used interchangeably, depending on price levels and adequacy of supply, such as thermal energy and electrical power. In addition, due to the incorporation of the second line of the L'Amalí plant that increases our capacity, we believe that we can prioritize the operation of our kilns in periods where natural gas is widely available for industry consumption with lower prices, minimizing the impact of higher winter costs. With respect to electricity consumption, there has been an improvement due to the greater relative participation of the vertical cement mill on Line 2 of L'Amalí in our productive scheme. This mill has superior technology compared to a cement ball mill.
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Energy is the largest single cost component in the production of cement and accounted for 24% of our total cost of sales in 2023 and 25% and 24% in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Thermal Energy
Thermal energy is our most utilized source of energy for our operations having accounted for 16% in 2023 and 16% and 14% in 2022 and 2021, respectively, of our total cost of sales. Thermal energy is comprised of natural gas, mineral coal and petcoke, co-processing, and fuel oil (See “Co-processing”). Natural gas and petcoke are the most significant of these energy sources. Thermal energy cost is strongly impacted by the volatility of the price of natural gas and the international price of oil. Since 2006, we have diversified our fuel matrix in our main plants, so that we can optimize it at all times according to the cost of each energy source. This great versatility allows us to capture a very competitive price on the market.
Historically, given the shortage of natural gas in wintertime the energy matrix of our kilns migrates to solid fuels. Currently, this flexibility to operate with different thermal energy sources, allow us to benefit from potential low thermal energy prices. In addition, our capacity surplus gives us more flexibility to manage our production scheme in order to minimize the impact of winter energy costs.
To ensure the supply of gas, we entered into supply contracts, for different volumes and basins, with producers (including YPF, Total Austral, Tecpetrol and Pluspetrol), and marketers and distributors,such as Ecogas – Distribuidora de Gas del Centro S.A., Energy Traders, Gas Meridional, Trafigura, Metroenergía, Gas Patagonia and Camuzzi. All these contracts have expirations between April 2024 and 2027.
In 2021, a sharp increase in the price of natural gas (approximately + 40%) as a result of the implementation by the National Government of the Gas.Ar Plan, seeking to provide predictability of price and contractual term to producers, normalizing a gas market that in recent years presented severe distortions, and stopping in the short term the decline in gas production. In 2022, the price of our thermal energy inputs was affected by the extension of this governmental incentive program to natural gas producers and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war that primarily impacted the price levels of alternative fuels such as LNG, gas oil, coke and fuel oil. In 2023, prices began to normalize, and the company was able to capture part of this decrease, which had a positive impact on our operating result.
The cost of petcoke varies in accordance with international market prices, which are quoted in U.S. dollars and fluctuate depending upon the supply and demand for oil and other refined petroleum products. During 2021 and 2022, prices have been increasing due to the growth of economic activity and the global energy crisis, reaching levels prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and reaching historical highs. In 2023, prices had significant drops although they are still above the price of natural gas. Nevertheless, the incidence of solid fuels in our costs has been decreasing, since we reached a thermal matrix where natural gas prevails as the main source of thermal energy.
Electrical Power
Electrical power is one of the main drivers of our cost structure and represented 8% in 2023 and 9% and 10% in 2022 and 2021, respectively, of our total cost of sales.
Electrical power cost is highly influenced by the policy implemented for fuels used in electrical energy generation and by the growing share of thermal power generation in the electric matrix in Argentina.
Currently, the energy system in Argentina is still constrained by technical operating limits, especially in transportation and distribution, due to the lack of investment in the system, mainly as a consequence of a price policy oriented towards residential demand subsidies.
In Argentina, the energy demanded that equals the level of consumption in 2005 is marketed by National Administrator of the Electric System (Compañía Administradora del Mercado Mayorista Eléctrico), or CAMMESA, approximately 60% of our demand. Since 2005, it was possible to contract the rest of the consumption (approximately 40%) through private contracts. Since 2018, through Law No. 27,191, we were permitted to contract renewable energy for up to 100% of our demand.
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We have entered into annual contracts with Pampa Energía S.A. for the supply of approximately 45% of our current electrical power requirements. Additionally, in 2023 we covered 36% of our current electrical power requirements with renewable energy sources, overachieving the percentage stipulated by the Law No. 27,191.
Pursuant to the Law No. 27,191, consumers with a demand higher than 300kW are required to source a minimum level of their electrical power demand from renewable sources pursuant to the requirements set forth by the Law No. 27,191 equal to 8% by December 31, 2017, 12% by December 31, 2019, 16% by December 31, 2021, 18% by December 31, 2023 and 20% by December 31, 2025; provided that any consumption of renewable energy for higher levels as of each cut-off date cannot be reduced in the following periods. For purposes of complying with these minimum level requirements of renewable energy, the consumers have the option to enter into individual power purchase agreements (PPAs) with renewable energy generators, marketers or distributors, or to buy the energy through CAMMESA.
In 2016, we signed a 20-year contract with Genneia S.A., and in 2018 we signed a 20 year contract with Aluar Aluminio Argentino S.A.I.C. to enhance the use of green energy in a cost efficient manner. With these contracts, we not only complied with the legal limits but also surpassed them.
Co-processing
Co-processing is the final disposal of waste (agricultural, urban and industrial waste) by its integration in the process of cement production as a secondary raw material or alternative fuel, as a source of energy. Co-processing is a technique used for permanently eliminating waste without generating environmental liabilities, harnessing the energy and/or mineral potential of the material.
Co-processing uses duly prepared waste at different stages of the production process as a substitute for natural raw materials and/or fossil fuels. The replacement of fossil fuels and raw materials with waste provides us with a dual advantage: (1) it allows us to meet thermal and non-renewable natural resources requirements in our production process; and (2) it presents a recognized benefit by disposing of waste that otherwise would have been deemed to be harmful and of environmental concern.
This process is conducted safely, monitored and environmentally correct, with quality assurance of the cement produced. We have utilized the highest industry standards and technological advances in developing our co-processing operations to ensure safety and efficiency.
In order to reinforce our commitment to sustainability, two of our plants are prepared for co-processing. The products we co-process are mainly municipal solid waste, or MSW, refuse-derived fuel, or RDF and shredded solid waste, or SSW.
At the end of 2019, we obtained the authorization to co-process the rejection of the urban waste, leading in Argentina the use of this waste stream in the co-processing. During 2020, we developed the use of new alternative fuel streams. In Buenos Aires, we are making progress with the co-processing of scrap tires, actively promoting the use of this type of waste in cement kilns.
Sales, Marketing and Customers
We are supported by a commercial, sales and marketing team of more than 64 people focused on attending our customers’ needs. This team includes the technical center Loma Negra, focused on quality control, research and development of new products and technical support for clients. We serve more than 1,000 clients in Argentina through our dedicated sales teams. In the Greater Buenos Aires and the City of Buenos Aires area, our sales team is organized by customer category, namely distributors, concrete companies, industrial and construction companies, and public sector entities. Outside the Greater Buenos Aires and the City of Buenos Aires area, sales teams are organized by geographical region.
We have long-term relationships with many of our customers, with approximately 51% of our customer base (representing over 75% of our total cement shipments) operating under long-standing, exclusive relationships. No single customer represents more than 5% of our total net sales, while our top 20 clients represented approximately 37% of total cement volume sold during 2023. We have also built a diversified customer base by sectors.
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Over the years, we have thoughtfully built a network of small- and medium-sized distributors throughout Argentina, and which we cultivate through a wide range of customer relationship programs, such as training and technical assistance, aimed at improving loyalty and customer service quality. We believe that we have forged, over a long period of time, a strong client relationship based on prioritizing service and product quality. In 2023, 59% of our total cement sales were made directly to our wholesale distributors, 28% to concrete producers, 7% to industrial customers and 6% to construction companies and others.
As a consequence of the activities in which we engage, our transactions do not have a significant cyclical or seasonal character. Nevertheless, during the second half of the year, historically the volume of sales in Argentina has shown a slight increase.
Since our inception, we have developed and expanded our product range, tailoring different mixtures and product lines for a wide variety of uses and client needs. We provide our clients with customized construction solutions with superior quality, proven reliability and uniform performance. We believe that, by educating retailers and end-consumers of these attributes of our products, we have been successful in building demand and realizing higher margins for our differentiated product offering.
Client Loyalty
Throughout the years we have implemented a wide range of relationship programs focused on improving customer loyalty. Our average client is a medium-sized family-owned company mainly focused on the commercialization of cement, masonry and lime.
We offer our customers technical support on a range of areas, including shops decoration, and even issues related to their business continuity.
Technical Assistance
We offer technical and post-sales support to customers, focusing on enhancing each customer’s capacity. In order to provide this service, we have several technical advisers who are available for different customer segments, technical visits, workshops, seminars and in site demonstrations.
Marketing Efforts
We are expanding the scope of our brand image strengthening campaign, adding more points of sale and improving the image of the distribution centers of our clients and consolidating the participation of our brand in the main soccer matches of the Argentine Championship, reinforcing our brand as a synonym of cement in Argentina.
Distribution
We have a distribution system aimed at providing the broadest product range in Argentina’s most important cement markets, particularly in the Greater Buenos Aires and the City of Buenos Aires area. Our strategy has been to base our sales and marketing efforts on our brand name recognition, broad product portfolio, customer service, efficient and timely delivery and technical support
We divide our distribution platform into six regions: Buenos Aires, Central, Northwestern, Northeastern, Patagonia and Cuyo. Each of these regions is served by our production facilities. LomaSer, our mixing, distribution and logistics facility is the center of our Buenos Aires’ distribution complex, or the Buenos Aires Complex. Our Buenos Aires Complex serves the main market of the Greater Buenos Aires and the City of Buenos Aires area and provides backup supply to other regions in the rest of the country. The Province of Buenos Aires is our principal market representing 45% of our total volume sold in 2023.
Our cement plants generally serve the geographic regions in which they are located. The table below shows the total market sales in each of Argentina’s regions as a percentage of total volume sold in Argentina in 2022, which is the latest annualized information available at the date of this annual report.
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Sales of Cement in Argentina
The table below sets forth the aggregate sales of cement in Argentina during the year ended December 31, 2022:
| Region | Sales | Cumulative Sales | ||||||||||||
| (in percentages %) | ||||||||||||||
| Buenos Aires | 46 | 46 | ||||||||||||
| Center | 22 | 68 | ||||||||||||
| Northwest | 13 | 81 | ||||||||||||
| Northeast | 8 | 89 | ||||||||||||
| Cuyo | 7 | 96 | ||||||||||||
| Patagonia | 4 | 100 | ||||||||||||
________________
Source: AFCP. Since December 31, 2021, AFCP does not publish sales information per region on a monthly basis. Additionally, as of the date of this annual report, AFCP had not published sales information for the year ended December 31, 2023.
LomaSer is located approximately 50 kilometers from the City of Buenos Aires. Due to its close proximity to this important market and its mixing and bagging capacity, LomaSer enables us to respond quickly to our clients’ cement needs. For example, LomaSer has the capacity to deliver bagged or bulk cement to locations in the Greater Buenos Aires and the city of Buenos Aires area designated by its customers within 24 hours from the time a customer places its order. In addition, LomaSer is linked to our other production facilities via the Ferrosur Roca freight railway and is able to mix cement on-site that it receives from our other plants (L’Amalí, Barker and Ramallo).
Argentina’s Central Region is mainly served by the Catamarca plant. The Northwest area of the Patagonia region is served from our Zapala plant. The San Juan plant supplies demand from Cuyo, while Catamarca serves the Northwestern region of Argentina.
The Northeast region is serviced by our Catamarca plant, through our Resistencia distribution center. The Litoral area is serviced through our Buenos Aires Complex and our Paraná distribution center.
There are no exclusive sale contracts in Argentina or abroad, for a portion of or for total production, with the exception of the “Export and Distribution Contract” (Contrato de Exportación y Distribución) entered in 2008 with the Administración Nacional de Combustibles, Alcohol y Portland, or ANCAP, in which, with regards to the exportation of cement produced to Uruguay, we committed to the exclusive distribution through ANCAP and/or Cementos del Plata S.A. (of which ANCAP is the controlling shareholder) in Uruguay. Such contract expired on March 31, 2023.
In addition, we operate the Ferrosur Roca freight railway network, which extends from the northeastern region of the City of Buenos Aires to several other regions of the country. Of the total distance of 3,100 kilometers that are part of this railway concession, approximately 2,000 kilometers are currently operational. We use the Ferrosur Roca freight railway network to ship our products and raw materials, as it is connected directly to five of our plants. In addition, third parties have access to this railway network in which we charge them freight railway fees to ship their goods.
Our Subsidiaries
The following chart shows our principal subsidiaries, including our direct or indirect equity ownership interest in each of them and their main business activities as of the date of this annual report:
| Subsidiary | Equity Ownership Interest (%) | Main activity | ||||||||||||
Ferrosur Roca S.A.(1) | 80.00 | Rail freight | ||||||||||||
| Recycomb S.A.U | 100.00 | Waste recycling | ||||||||||||
________________
(1)Indirect ownership (through Cofesur S.A.U., in which we have a direct 100% equity ownership interest).
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Below is a brief description of our principal subsidiaries.
Ferrosur Roca S.A.
Through our subsidiary, Cofesur, we indirectly control Ferrosur Roca, a company that holds a concession to operate the Ferrosur Roca freight railway network, a 3,100 kilometer railway that runs from the northeastern region of the City of Buenos Aires to several other regions of the country and that is strategic to our business as it is linked directly to five of our plants (Ramallo, Olavarría, Barker, Zapala and L’Amalí) and also our LomaSer production and distribution center. We own the total capital of Cofesur, which in turn owns 80% of the total capital of Ferrosur Roca. As of December 31, 2023, Ferrosur Roca had 1,077 employees.
On March 8, 2018, Ferrosur Roca duly filed before the Ministry of Transport a request for an extension of the term of validity of the concession for ten more years. The Ministry responded on March 20, 2019, informing Ferrosur Roca that the Special Commission created by Decree No. 1027/2018 would be in charge of the renegotiation of the concession agreement, and that such process will include the analysis of the concession term extension in order to enable the implementation of the open access scheme.
On November 3, 2020, the Ministry of Transport issued the Resolution No. 248/2020 to remove the Lobos-Bolívar railway branch of the General Roca line in the province of Buenos Aires (from km. 98,760 to km. 330,457) from the scope of the railway concession granted to Ferrosur Roca in 1992.
In accordance with Resolution No. 211/2021, published in the Official Gazette on June 28, 2021, the Ministry of Transport rejected the extension of the term of the concession requested by different companies such as Ferrosur Roca. In that sense, Ferrosur Roca’s concession was due to expire in March 2023. Later on, the CNRT approved the registration of Ferrosur Roca as “Railway Operator” in the National Register of Railway Operators (ReNOF, as per its acronym in Spanish) by the enactment of Disposition No. 122/2022, published in the Official Gazette on February 25, 2022.
Notwithstanding, on December 28, 2022, the Argentine Ministry of Transport issued Resolution No. 960/2022, extending the term of the concession by 18 months from March 10, 2023 to September, 2024. However, the extension may be revoked at any time, with or without cause, and Ferrosur Roca will not be entitled to receive or claim any compensation if the decision to revoke the concession is made before September 2024.
We understand that, at the end of its concession, we will continue to provide the cargo transport rail services currently providing but as a cargo operator under the terms set forth in Resolution No. 211, Law No. 27,132, and Decree No. 1027 dated November 7, 2018. We have reassessed all accounting estimates associated with the end of the current concession. No significant impact is expected to date. We will continue monitoring the new regulations as they come into effect, as well as the progress of ongoing negotiations with the National State and will record any related effect as soon as it is possible to make an estimate. See more information related to this issue in Note 38 to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023.
See risk factor “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—The early termination of our railway concession may have a material adverse effect on our business” for more detailed information.
Recycomb S.A.U.
We own 100% of the total equity capital of Recycomb, a company that was founded in 1995. Recycomb operates a blending facility for recycling industrial waste into alternative fuel sources. This blending facility has an annual production capacity of 106,000 tons (30,000 tons of liquid waste-derived fuel, 36,000 tons of solids waste-derived fuel and 40,000 tons of shredded solids waste-derived fuel) and has been operational since the end of 1996. This facility, which is located in the southern part of the Greater Buenos Aires area, is connected to Ferrosur Roca’s freight railway. As of December 31, 2023, Recycomb had 34 employees.
Information Technology
We believe that an appropriate information technology infrastructure is important in order to support the growth of our business. Our data collection processes and software allow us to accurately monitor the processes at our various facilities, ensuring consistency and enabling us to adjust quickly in the event of any variations. Furthermore, our
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enterprise resources planning software and services allows us to develop production, sourcing and pricing models based on anticipated consumer demand.
In addition, we have license agreements involving intellectual property rights with several companies, such as Oracle, Microsoft, SAP, Adobe, Novell and Crowdstrike.
Insurance
We maintain insurance policies against damages to third parties, with coverage and conditions comparable to those of companies engaged in similar businesses in Argentina, respectively. We maintain insurance policies with reputable international insurance companies, covering property loss and business interruption risks to our plants, equipment and buildings for partial or total damages or losses. The coverage for total loss or damage is for an insured value that we have established using as a reference the replacement value of each plant’s kiln, which is the main asset subject to risk, as we consider the total destruction of any of our plants as unlikely. For partial loss or damage, we are insured for the value at risk. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate value at risk of our plants was approximately US$ 1,528,960,000. These policies have a deductible of EUR 700,000 per claim. For loss of profit derived from material damages the coverage is 30 days.
We have not made any material claims on our insurance policies in recent years.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
At Loma Negra, we strive to create value for our shareholders while also minimizing the environmental impact of our activities and making a positive contribution to society. Three principles drive our practices in the markets in which we operate, under the Triple Impact concept, promoting economic growth, social contribution and environmental care, in harmony with our communities. Following these principles, we plan to continue to develop as a world-class company and operate our business in accordance with the principles of sustainability.
These principles prompted us to prepare our third edition of the Sustainability Report, thus confirming our commitment to communicate transparently and annually the impacts of our Company on the economy, the environment and people, including human rights. This report is available on our website.
We are part of social, environmental, educational, economic and cement industry organizations, with whom we share principles and values that help us develop in line with the best market practices. We actively participate in the Argentine Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEADS). We are part of the program "Connecting companies with SDG" and we participate in the Working Groups on Climate and Energy, Environment and Regulation, and Society and Business. For its part, we also formed the Sustainability Commission of the Association of Portland Cement Manufacturers (AFCP), where we contribute to developing and promoting initiatives that contemplate sustainable development and benefit the community, preserve the environment and promote the efficient use of energy from renewable sources in our country.
The main guidelines of our environmental management emerge from our purpose, values, principles and Integrated Management Policy: the reduction of the carbon footprint as a transversal and systemic axis of action, which drives our work to promote the circular economy, diversification of our energy matrix, and the adoption of the best practices in the industry, such as the efficient use of supplies and raw materials, the recovery of energy and waste material (own and from other industries), the management of GHG emissions, and the sustainable management of water, quarries and natural environments.
Through our Environmental Management System (EMS) we integrate the key mechanisms to improve performance in relation to the Environment. Likewise, internal and external audits are carried out annually at each plant under internationally recognized standards such as ISO 14001, Environmental Management Systems.
Our standards adopt as a basis the main environmental guidelines of the industry at an international level, following the guidelines of the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCAA), previously known as Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI), of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Likewise, guided by our values and principles, we believe that we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through our environmental and social sustainability initiatives, the promotion of the circular economy and the reduction of the carbon footprint.
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In terms of climate action, the GCCA announced, at an international level, the commitment to reduce the carbon footprint generated in operations and products, as well as the aspiration to offer society neutral concrete by 2050 (this includes the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and using alternative materials and fuels to improve the efficiency in the use of energy necessary for the production of cement, diversifying the energy matrix in sustainable way). Under these guidelines, at Loma Negra we believe that we promote the circular economy, adopting the best practices in the industry, such as the co-processing technique for energy recovery and waste material and the reduction of the clinker factor.
We develop comprehensive waste management, prioritizing the minimization of waste at source, as well as its reuse and recycling. Within the framework of these objectives, our practices focus on co-processing, a technique that allows us to transform our own waste, derived from other industries or generated by the community, into raw materials and alternative fuels that we use in the manufacture of cement. In this way, we contribute directly to the sustainable management of waste and provide a solution for one of the main problems of our society.
Since the production of cement requires intensive use of thermal and electric energy, the optimization of these resources is our top priority.
The optimization of thermal and electrical energy is a priority objective for our operating system. To do this, we have a specific area, within the scope of the Supply Chain and Alternative Fuels management, which is in charge of both the management of contracts with suppliers and the distribution of consumption by plant, prioritizing the most efficient units in our productive scheme. We also moved forward with the implementation of actions of the Performance Industrial Program.
Furthermore, we opt for the use of renewable energies as an alternative to traditional energies from fossil fuels; and we promote co-processing through the use of alternative fuels, a practice that is part of our sustainable business strategy embodied in our 2030 Climate Roadmap that was done during 2023 through the creating of inter-area and interdisciplinary teams with the purpose of continuing working on a portfolio of ideas, solutions and investments required to achieve the reduction goal set for 2030.
Notably, compared to 2022, we have reduced electrical energy consumption by 4.7% and thermal energy consumption by 0.7%. Additionally, 2.2% of the energy used in our kilns is now sourced from alternative fuels, replacing traditional fossil fuels. This shift, along with increased gas usage , has enabled savings equivalent to 4,221 tons of pet coke, a fuel fossil that has a high impact on the generation of C02.
The Loma Negra Foundation embraces the significant challenge of integrating community engagement with our business strategy. We strive to ensure the sustainability of the entire ecosystem through trust based alliances that positively impact the communities where we operate and enhance the well-being of our employees. We implement a model of active participation and joint action between the public and private sectors and social organizations. In addition, we promote the generation and strengthening of the installed capacities of the actors present in the communities (base development), promoting co-responsibility in the execution of initiatives. This collaborative framework promotes consensus building, prioritized action planning, and shared management with social entities, government agencies, academia, and businesses, each contributing their unique strengths and capabilities. Aligned with our Corporate Social Responsibility guidelines, the Private Social Investment model allows us to sustain the long-term development of programs in various communities in the country, based on different platforms for engagement and support.
In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our programs directly address issues that impact the target communities.
1.Bridge Program: Our purpose is to increase considerably the number of young people and adults with the necessary skills, particularly technical and professional, to access employment and decent work. We contemplate two lines of action to achieve this: job skills and educational improvement.
2.Commitment Program: We promote the constitution of transforming alliances in the public, private and civil society spheres, actively involving our collaborators in the advocacy communities. We develop volunteer projects and initiatives for the development of social capital based on the institutional strengthening of grassroots organizations.
3.Roots Program: We seek to contribute with policies aimed at the development of productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. We also encourage the formalization and growth of micro-enterprises through access to financial services, as well as the generation of inclusive businesses.
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4.Transform Program: With a focus on habitat, we seek to mobilize the investment capacity of large companies in lucrative businesses, articulating alliances with NGOs and communities, with the aim of building innovative approaches aimed at creating opportunities for the base of the pyramid, offering innovative solutions to social, environmental and economic problems.
The company's Sustainability Report for the year 2023 is available on our website at https://www.lomanegra.com/en/sustainability/ . The contents of the company's website, including the Sustainability Report, are not part of or otherwise incorporated by reference into this annual report.
For information related to the potential risks we are subject to due to changes to environmental requirements and the effects of climate change, see “Item 3 – Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry—Climate change and climate change legislation or regulations may adversely affect our business.”
Competition
Cement
Following the consolidation of the cement industry in Argentina during the 1990s, LafargeHolcim, an international cement company, through its acquisition of Juan Minetti S.A. and Corcemar S.A., two Argentine cement producers, became the second largest cement producer in Argentina. Other Argentine cement producers include Cementos Avellaneda S.A., or Avellaneda, a company controlled by Cementos Molins, S.A. and Votorantim Cimentos S.A., and Petroquímica Comodoro Rivadavia S.A., or PCR. Given the high cost of transporting cement, our competitors are generally limited in competing in the regions where their production facilities are located. We are the only cement company in Argentina with production facilities located in several regions of Argentine and with nationwide reach.
The chart below sets forth the estimated cement market share in Argentina during 2023 for our company, Cementos Avellaneda, Holcim Argentina and Petroquímica Comodoro Rivadavia.
Source: AFCP and Loma Negra.
Each of Argentina’s main cement companies have developed market strengths in specific areas driven primarily by the location of their facilities and their geographic focus resulting from high transportation costs which limit their ability to compete effectively over long distances. We are the only Argentine cement company to have nationwide coverage, as our facilities are located throughout the country, with particular focus on Argentina’s most important market, the Province of Buenos Aires. Our cement plants generally serve the geographic regions in which they are located. Holcim Argentina S.A. has a strong market position in the provinces of Córdoba, Mendoza and Jujuy.
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In recent years, our main competitors executed investments to expand their production capacity. According to available public information, Holcim Argentina S.A. expanded the “Malagueño” plant, located in the province of Córdoba. In the case of Avellaneda S.A., a similar expansion in the “El Gigante” plant in the province of San Luis has been finished in late 2020 and is operating.
In December 2021 we inaugurated the second line of L’Amalí plant, which allows us to increase our capacity by 40%, adding approximately 2.7 million tons annually, and transforming L’Amalí in one of the biggest cement plants of South America.
Concrete
We participate in the concrete market under our Lomax brand. We have operations in the two principal concrete markets of Argentina: (1) the City of Buenos Aires and the Greater Buenos Aires area; and (2) the city of Rosario. The Olavarría region is the main supplier of granitic aggregates consumption for the Greater Buenos Aires and the City of Buenos Aires area.
We also lead this dynamic and high potential growth market through the Nueva Propuesta de Valor, or NPV concept. NPV is a group of selected medium- and large-sized concrete companies that have been exclusive and loyal clients of Loma Negra for many years. We have entered into agreements with these companies to keep them in a continuous improving operational process, with several clauses related to loyalty and cement supply commitment.
Legal and Regulatory Matters
Environmental Regulations
We develop our business in a responsible and sustainable manner, with a commitment to continuous improvement of environmental performance, minimizing the environmental impacts of our operations and providing the maximum value for society. From the point of view of compliance, this vision includes respect for environmental legislation and good relations with our stakeholders.
Regarding legal requirements, we have a system for identifying, updating and evaluating environmental requirements, which is managed through an online system in all our plants and business units. In addition, we have a registration and monitoring system for environmental inspections, notifications and presentations, where the requirements of the enforcement authorities in environmental matters are managed, including possible fines and sanctions, and where the presentations made by the company are also recorded, accrediting due compliance. In 2022 and 2023, no significant monetary or non-monetary fines or sanctions were recorded for non-compliance with environmental laws or regulations.
For its part, considering that emissions are one of the significant impacts of the activity, it is important to highlight that we comply with all the regulations that regulate air quality in relation to gaseous emissions to guarantee the protection of the atmosphere and the environment. Within this framework, we carry out Annual Environmental Monitoring Plans (PAM-A) and hire environmental analysis and monitoring laboratories authorized by the environmental agencies of each jurisdiction, complying with all current and applicable regulations on the matter.
Mining Regulations
We extract limestone from quarries that we own, and quarries owned by third parties. The main statute that governs mining in Argentina is the Argentine Mining Code, which was enacted by Law No. 1,919 of 1886, as amended. The Argentine Mining Code establishes that the ownership of mineral substances existing in quarries, including limestone, is exclusively vested in the owner of the land where they are located and that provincial laws will regulate the operation of quarries. The owner may mine the quarries existing in its land or leave them inactive. However, the federal, provincial or municipal government where the quarry is located may declare that the exploitation of the mines is of public interest and expropriate the land where the quarries are located.
Pursuant to the Argentine Mining Code, as amended by Law No. 24,585, which regulates environmental aspects of the mining activity, parties involved in certain mining activities are required to file, prior to the commencement of mining activities on a tract of land, an environmental impact evaluation report with the relevant regulatory agency for its
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approval. If approved, the relevant regulatory agency issues an environmental impact declaration, which must be renewed every two years.
C.Organizational Structure
The following organizational chart sets forth our simplified corporate structure as of the date of this annual report:
________________
(1)Loma Negra has an indirect ownership in Ferrosur Roca S.A. through Cofesur SAU, in which we have a direct 100% equity ownership interest. Cofesur SAU has a direct 80% equity ownership interest in Ferrosur Roca S.A.
D.Property, Plants and Equipment
Our Production Facilities
As of December 31, 2023, we owned seven cement manufacturing plants in Argentina: Barker, Catamarca, L’Amalí / LomaSer, Olavarría, Ramallo, San Juan, and Zapala, fourteen concrete plants operating under the Lomax brand and one granitic aggregates plant.
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The following table sets forth information regarding our production facilities, as of December 31, 2023:
| Production Facility | Type of Plant | Location | Commissioning Year | |||||||||||||||||
| Argentina: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| North-east: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Resistencia | Warehouse | Resistencia | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||
| Center-east: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Barker | Cement | Benito Juárez | 1956 | |||||||||||||||||
| L’Amalí | Cement | Olavarría | 2001/2021 | |||||||||||||||||
| LomaSer | Blending/Distribution | Cañuelas | 2000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Olavarría | Cement | Olavarría | 1929 | |||||||||||||||||
| Ramallo | Grinding Mill | Ramallo | 1998 | |||||||||||||||||
| Paraná | Warehouse | Paraná | ||||||||||||||||||
| Patagonia: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Zapala | Cement | Zapala | 1970 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cuyo: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| San Juan | Cement | San Juan | 1963 | |||||||||||||||||
| Mendoza | Warehouse | Palmira | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| North-west: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Catamarca | Cement | El Alto | 1980 | |||||||||||||||||
| Salta | Warehouse | Salta | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| Concrete plants under the Lomax brand: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Don Torcuato | Concrete | Greater Buenos Aires area | 1998 | |||||||||||||||||
| Sola | Concrete | City of Buenos Aires | 1998 | |||||||||||||||||
| Llavallol | Concrete | Greater Buenos Aires area | 1998 | |||||||||||||||||
| Uriburu | Concrete | Rosario | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||
| Darsena F 1 | Concrete | City of Buenos Aires | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||
| Darsena F 2 | Concrete | City of Buenos Aires | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||
| Vicente Casares | Concrete | Greater Buenos Aires area | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||
| Escobar | Concrete | Greater Buenos Aires area | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| Gonzalez Chavez | Concrete | Buenos Aires Province | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Gonzalez Catan | Concrete | Greater Buenos Aires area | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Berazategui | Concrete | Greater Buenos Aires area | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Fatima | Concrete | Greater Buenos Aires area | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Olavarría | Concrete | Buenos Aires Province | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tandil | Concrete | Buenos Aires Province | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Aggregates plant: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| La Preferida | Aggregates | Olavarría | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||
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The map below presents the location of our facilities:
Barker
The Barker plant began operations in 1956 and is located in the City of Benito Juárez, Province of Buenos Aires. The Barker plant currently has total annual cement and filler production capacity of approximately 1.3 million, using one dry-process kiln. The Barker plant has capacity to produce cement and also produces filler, which is used for cement mixing by LomaSer. In the context of the L’Amalí expansion project, and considering the actual demand, during 2019 we decided to reconvert our Barker and San Juan plants, transforming both full cement lines into grinding and distribution centers, and we have adapted our cost structure to reflect this new scenario.
Catamarca
The plant of Catamarca began operations in 1980 and is located in the City of El Alto, Province of Catamarca. The Catamarca plant, which uses a dry-process kiln, has annual installed cement production capacity of 2.2 million tons. This plant has modern automation technology and is equipped with pre-heating equipment. It also features automated quality control systems, which enhance the reliability of its finished products.
The Catamarca plant produces cement, as well as masonry cement. It serves the Province of Catamarca and certain neighboring provinces and regions.
L’Amalí
The L’Amalí plant is located approximately five kilometers from our Olavarría plant, Province of Buenos Aires, where our largest limestone reserves are located, and is connected to the Ferrosur Roca freight railway. This plant, which became operational in August 2001, has an annual installed production capacity of approximately 3.8 million tons of clinker and approximately 6.0 million tons of cement and complies with the highest standards of cement production technology and applicable environmental requirements. The plant uses natural gas and solid fuels, together with alternative fuels from Recycomb. See “ —Investments” for more information regarding the expansion of the L’Amalí plant”.
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The L’Amalí plant has mobile equipment to extract and crush limestone mined from a quarry located nearby. The quarry is linked to the plant by a conveyor belt transporting system. The L’Amalí plant has two kilns to produce clinker with a daily capacity of approximately 12,000 tons and cement production, storage and bulk loading capabilities. For the cement production, the plant has two ball mills of 135 tons per hour each one, and one vertical mill that produces approximately 500 tons per hour, as well as storage and bulk loading capabilities.
The plant produces both bulk and bagged cement. The last one is packed in our new packing plant which has two production lines with a capacity of 4,500 bags per hour each one. The plant also produces base cement that is used by LomaSer as a raw material for its cement production and clinker that is used by our other cement plants.
See “Item 4.D Property, Plants and Equipment – Investments”
For additional information in relation to our mining operations at L'Amalí plant, see "Item 4.B. Business Overview-Mining Operations Disclosure (Mineral Reserves)-Individual Properties Disclosure."
LomaSer
LomaSer started operations in 2000 and it is located in the City of Vicente Casares, Province of Buenos Aires. LomaSer is our blending, distribution and logistics center and includes a cement mixing plant and distribution and logistics center. It is located approximately 50 kilometers from the City of Buenos Aires and is connected to our plants in the Province of Buenos Aires through the Ferrosur Roca freight railway. LomaSer’s proximity to Argentina’s principal cement market helps us to quickly respond to client needs, providing superior and reliable delivery services at competitive costs. It also allows customers to maximize fleet performance and minimize cement stock requirements.
LomaSer receives base cement filler and slag from the L’Amalí, Barker and Ramallo plants, respectively. These materials are stored in a multi-cell silo, which has a total capacity of 28,000 tons Additionally, 8,000 tons of bagged cement can be stored. The silo feeds a mixer, which has an annual installed cement production capacity of approximately 2.2 million tons. The map below presents the location and connections among our facilities with LomaSer in the Greater Buenos Aires area, as well as the Ferrosur Roca freight railway network, which we use to ship our products and raw materials, as it is connected directly to six of our plants.
(1)Railway segment we actively use.
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LomaSer has a flexible production facility that allows production to be switched rapidly between one type of cement to another. The ability to customize the blending according to each additions’ characteristic enables us to produce superior quality cement while optimizing the maximization of additions.
LomaSer operates approximately 35% of our total cement dispatches. It ships cement in bags or in bulk depending on its customers’ needs.
Olavarría
The Olavarría plant began operations in 1929 and it is located in the City of Olavarría, Province of Buenos Aires. The plant currently has two active dry-process kilns with a kiln production capacity of approximately 0.4 million tons of lime, and a second kiln with an installed capacity of 1.0 million tons of annual production capacity of clinker and 1.6 million tons of annual production capacity of cement.
The Olavarría plant produces cement, as well as masonry cement and lime. It principally serves the Buenos Aires region.
For additional information relating to our mining operations at L'Amalí plant, see "Item 4.B. Business Overview-Mining Operations Disclosure (Mineral Reserves)-Individual Properties Disclosure."
Ramallo
The Ramallo plant was inaugurated in 1998 and it is located in the City of Ramallo, Province of Buenos Aires. Ramallo produces cement and also mills slag that is used by LomaSer. This plant has annual cement installed production capacity of 0.4 million tons. We acquire slag from Siderar S.A.I.C., Argentina’s largest steel company, which is located near this plant.
The Ramallo plant serves the northern portion of the Province of Buenos Aires and the Province of Santa Fe.
San Juan
The San Juan plant began operations in 1963 and it is located in the City of Rivadavia, Province of San Juan. It has an annual cement production capacity of approximately 0.2 million tons and uses a dry-process kiln. In 1993, a new facility was installed in this plant to enable it to store and process coal, enabling it to operate either using natural gas or a combination of natural gas, fuel oil and coal, together with liquid alternative fuels. The San Juan plant serves the Province of San Juan and certain neighboring provinces.
In the context of the L’Amalí expansion project, and considering the actual demand, during 2019 we decided to reconvert our Barker and San Juan plants, transforming both full cement lines into grinding and distribution centers, and we have adapted our cost structure to reflect this new scenario.
Zapala
The Zapala plant began operations in 1970 and it is located in Zapala, Province of Neuquén. This plant has a dry-process kiln, with annual installed cement production capacity of 0.4 million tons and annual installed clinker production capacity of approximately 0.2 million tons. This plant is equipped with energy-efficient wheel-type roller grinding equipment used to grind the clinker before it enters the production process.
The Zapala plant produces cement. It mainly serves the provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro and exports approximately 2% of its cement to Southern Chile.
La Preferida
In 2009, we commenced operations in the aggregates market in Argentina with our acquisition of La Preferida de Olavarría, which is located in the City of Olavarría, Province of Buenos Aires. In 2018, a new crusher started to operate. This plant has annual aggregates production capacity of 2.2 million tons.
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We sell granitic aggregates through La Preferida de Olavarría, which is responsible for approximately 44% of the aggregates consumed by Lomax in their concrete production operations.
Investments
With the completion of the second line of the L’Amalí plant in December 2021, L’Amalí has become the largest cement plant in Argentina and one of the largest in Latin America, based on annual installed cement production capacity. With the finalization of this expansion project, capital expenditures decreased significantly.
As of the date of this annual report, we have no other material investments in development or future material investments plans other than the one related to the legal requirement of adjusting our cement bags to the 25 kilograms format. See "Item 3.D. Compliance with Resolution 54/2018 of the Secretary of Commerce could adversely affect our operations and profitability.”
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events may differ significantly from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth in the section entitled “Key Information—Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with “Cautionary Statement with Respect to Forward-Looking Statements” and “Key Information—Risk Factors”.
A.Operating Results
Principal Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Macroeconomic Conditions
Our business is highly sensitive to factors such as GDP growth (globally and in Argentina, the cement industry has a strong positive correlation with GDP growth). An economic slowdown can lead to a slowdown in the construction industry and consequently decreased cement demand and production. Likewise, an expansion of GDP is expected to drive incremental cement demand, above expected GDP growth.
During 2023, according to the INDEC, the Argentine economy decreased 1.6%, after two years of recovery, increasing 5.0% and 10.7% in 2022 and 2021 respectively, after the sharp decline in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.
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The following table presents key data of the Argentine economy for the periods indicated.
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| GDP (billions of Ps.) | 714.6 | 725.8 | 689.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Real GDP growth | (1.6) | % | 5.0 | % | 10.7 | % | |||||||||||
| GDP per capita (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | 12.0 | 13.7 | 10.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Private consumption growth | 1.1 | % | 9.7 | % | 10.0 | % | |||||||||||
Average Ps./U.S. dollar exchange rate(1) | 295.2 | 130.8 | 95.2 | ||||||||||||||
| CPI inflation | 211.4 | % | 94.8 | % | 50.9 | % | |||||||||||
| Private sector salary growth | 165.8 | % | 93.8 | % | 55.3 | % | |||||||||||
Unemployment rate(2) | 6.1 | % | 6.8 | % | 8.8 | % | |||||||||||
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Sources: BCRA, INDEC and our company.
(1)The average rate is calculated by using the average of the BCRA’s reported exchange rates on a daily basis.
(2)As a percentage of Argentina’s economically active population. Quarterly average.
Inflation
Our audited consolidated financial statements comprehensively recognize the effects of variations in the purchasing power of currency through the application of the method to restate financial statements in constant currency established by the IAS 29. See “Presentation of Financial and Other Information”.
Our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, including the figures corresponding to the previous fiscal year have been restated to consider changes in the general purchasing power of our functional currency (the peso) in accordance with the provisions in IAS 29 and the CNV’s General Resolution No. 777/2018. As a result, our financial statements are stated in the unit of currency that was current at the end of the fiscal year that is being reported.
In accordance with IAS 29, the amounts in the financial statements that have not been stated in constant currency as of the end of the reporting period must be restated by application of a general price index. To that end and in the manner established in FACPCE´s Resolution JG No. 539/18, coefficients have been applied that are calculated on the basis of indices published by the FACPCE, resulting from combining national consumer prices published by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (the National Statistics and Census Institute), or INDEC, starting on January 1, 2017 and, looking back, domestic wholesale prices, or IPIM prepared by INDEC or, if none is available, consumer price indices published by the General Directorate of Statistics and Censuses in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.
The variation, in the index applied to restate our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended as of December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 has been 211.4%, 94.8%, 50.9%, 36.1% and 53.8%, respectively. See “Note 2.2 of our audited consolidated statements”.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate
Our liabilities that are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. To partially offset our risk of any depreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar, from time to time we may enter into derivative contracts. Because we borrow in U.S. dollars in international or local markets to fund our operations and investments, we are exposed to market risks from changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates.
Our foreign currency exposure gives rise to market risks associated with exchange rate movements. A significant portion of our borrowings are denominated in foreign currency. As of December 31, 2023, our consolidated foreign currency-denominated borrowings was Ps. 111,359 million, denominated in U.S. dollars.
As of December 31, 2023 we did not have foreign currency derivative financial instruments.
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In the event that the peso was to depreciate by 25% against the U.S. dollar as compared to the peso/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of December 31, 2023, our foreign currency net liability position as of December 31, 2023 would have increased by approximately Ps. 28,616 million.
Due to the foreign exchange crisis after the primary elections in August 2019, the Argentine Central Bank reinstated rigid restrictions and foreign exchange controls, for more information about said restrictions see “Item 10. Additional Information- D. Exchange Controls”. Considering the mentioned restrictions based on the current exchange regulations applicable in Argentina, we constantly monitor the alternatives for collecting assets and settling liabilities in foreign currency and the related impact. The gain/loss arising from the use of financial instruments to settle transactions in foreign currency is recognized when we unconditionally commit to or irreversibly executes such settlement. As of December 31, 2023, the use of financial instruments to settle the above transactions would result in an impact of approximately 21% as mentioned in note 32 to the consolidated financial statements as of such date.
As of December 31, 2021, the official nominal exchange rate for pesos into U.S. dollars fell to Ps. 102.7500 per US$1.00, a devaluation of approximately 22.1% as compared to the official exchange rate of Ps. 84.1450 per US$1.00 as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2022, the official nominal exchange rate for pesos into U.S. dollars fell to Ps. 177.1283 per US$1.00, a devaluation of approximately 72.4% as compared to the official exchange rate of Ps. 102.7500 per US$1.00 as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2023, the official nominal exchange rate for pesos into U.S. dollars fell to Ps. 808.4833 per US$1.00, a devaluation of approximately 356.44% as compared to the official exchange rate of 177.1283 per US$1.00 as of December 31, 2022. In the first three months of 2024, the peso depreciated approximately 6.1% against the U.S. dollar.
The following table sets forth the annual high, low, average and period-end exchange rates for the periods indicated, expressed in pesos per U.S. dollar and not adjusted for inflation. There can be no assurance that the peso will not depreciate or appreciate again in the future. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for pesos.
| Official Nominal Exchange Rates | |||||||||||||||||||||||
High(1) | Low(1) | Average(1)(2) | Period-end(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 60.0033 | 37.0350 | 48.2423 | 59.8950 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 84.1450 | 59.8152 | 70.5941 | 84.1450 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 102.7500 | 84.7033 | 95.1615 | 102.7500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 177.1283 | 103.0400 | 130.8089 | 177.1283 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 808.4833 | 178.1417 | 295.2123 | 808.4833 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 2024 | 826.2500 | 810.6500 | 818.3455 | 826.2500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| February 2024 | 842.2500 | 826.8500 | 834.9140 | 842.2500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| March 2024 | 857.4167 | 842.7500 | 850.3377 | 857.4167 | |||||||||||||||||||
April 26 2024 | 874.7500 | 861.2500 | 868.1111 | 874.7500 | |||||||||||||||||||
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(1)Reference exchange rate published by the Argentine Central Bank.
(2)Based on daily averages.
Net Capital Expenditures and Other Investments
In July 2017, we entered into an agreement with the Chinese company Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd., or Sinoma for the construction of the second line at our L’Amalí plant. We finalized the project in December 2021, adding approximately 2.7 million tons to our annual installed cement capacity.
On a consolidated basis, our capital expenditures incurred in property, plant and equipment were Ps. 36,053 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 and Ps. 31,774 million and Ps. 42,996 million during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
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Our Cost Structure
The prices that we charge for our cement products are directly related to our production costs. Fluctuations in the price of our thermal energy sources and electricity impact our costs of goods sold and the prices that we charge our customers for our products. Significant increases in the price of natural gas, solid fuels or electricity and, consequently, in our production costs, could reduce our gross margins and our results of operations to the extent that we might not be able to pass a significant portion of these costs on to our customers and could result in reduced sales volumes of our products. Conversely, significant decreases in the price of natural gas, solid fuels or electricity and, consequently, in our production costs, would likely increase our gross margins and our results of operations. Our efforts on increasing the use of co-processing (use of waste as a source of a renewable energy, to replace natural mineral resources and fossil fuels such as coal, petcoke and gas) on our production process aims to decrease both our dependency on certain energy sources and reduce costs. In 2023, the percentage of co-processing used in our production process reached 2.2%.
Thermal Energy. Our operating income has been affected by energy price changes. Energy prices may vary in the future, mainly due to market forces and other factors outside our control. We protect ourselves from energy price inflation risks through the diversification of our fuel sources (including solid fuels and the use of co-processing as an alternative energy source) and our ability to transfer all or part of increased costs to our customers via price increases for our products. We also seek to produce different types of cement with lower clinker content, replacing it with other components such as slag, pozzolana, and limestone, which reduce our overall energy costs.
Thermal energy is our most utilized source of energy for our operations, representing 16% in the year ended December 31, 2023 and 16% and 14% in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, of our total cost of sales. Thermal energy is comprised of natural gas, fuel oil, mineral coal and petcoke. Natural gas is the most significant of these energy sources. We enter into several contracts with suppliers, traders and distributors of natural gas. See “ —Supply Contracts”.
The cost of petcoke varies in accordance with international market prices, which are quoted in U.S. dollars and fluctuate depending upon the supply and demand for oil and other refined petroleum products. We make spot purchases of petcoke or steam coal in order to capture market opportunities in the price of these solid fuels. During 2021 and 2022, prices have been increasing due to the growth of economic activity and the global energy crisis, not only surpassing levels prior to the pandemic, but reaching historical highs. In 2023, prices significantly dropped although they were still above the price of gas.
Electrical power. Electrical power is one of the main drivers of our cost structure and represented 8%, 9% and 10% in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, of our total cost of sales.
Electrical power is one of the most expensive energy sources that we use. Given our consumption needs and the potentially high cost of electrical power, we have sought to mitigate the risks of supply interruptions and cost increases by contracting electrical power to private companies and entering into agreements to increase the use of renewable energy. Electrical power cost is highly influenced by the government policy applied to fuels used in electrical power generation and by the growing contribution of thermal power generation to the electrical power generation matrix in Argentina.
In Argentina, approximately 60% of the current energy demand that equals the level of consumption in 2005 is marketed by National Administrator of the Electric System (Compañía Administradora del Mercado Mayorista Eléctrico), or CAMMESA. Since 2005, it was possible to contract the rest of the consumption (approximately 40%) through private contracts. During 2023, our matrix was 36% renewable, 47% supplied with private contracts and only 17% was transacted as Base energy acquired from CAMMESA.
Consumers with a demand higher than 300kW are required to source a minimum level of their electrical power demand from renewable sources equal to 8% by December 31, 2017, 12% by December 31, 2019, 16% by December 31, 2021, 18% by December 31, 2023 and 20% by December 31, 2025; provided that any consumption of renewable energy for higher levels as of each cut-off date cannot be reduced in the following periods. For purposes of complying with these minimum level requirements of renewable energy, the consumers have the option to enter into individual power purchase agreements with renewable energy generators, marketers or distributors, or to buy the energy through CAMMESA See “ —Supply Contracts”.
In 2016, we entered into a 20-year agreement with Genneia S.A., and in 2018 entered into a 20-year agreement with Aluar Aluminio Argentino S.A.I.C. to enhance the use of green energy. With these contracts, we not only complied with the legal limits but also surpassed the minimum levels required.
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Co-Processing. During 2023 we continued with our co-processing efforts, although the high volume of clinker production and the lack of volume of liquid waste with adequate caloric value prevented us from increasing the percentages of thermal replacement with respect to previous years. Co-processing is the final disposal of waste (agricultural, urban and industrial waste) through its integration in the cement production process as a secondary raw material or alternative fuel, as a source of energy. Co-processing is a technique used for permanently eliminating waste without generating environmental liabilities, by harnessing the energy and/or mineral potential of the material. Co-processing represented 2.2% in the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2.1% and 3.1% in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, of our total thermal energy consumption.
For additional information related to our thermal energy, electrical power and co-processing needs and costs, see “Item 4.B Information on the Company—Business Overview—Energy Sources”.
Preservation and maintenance costs. Our industry is capital intensive, and we incur in maintenance costs necessary to preserve the productivity and durability of our cement facilities. In the year ended December 31, 2023 preservation and maintenance costs represented 9% and in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, represented 9% and 9%, respectively, of our total cost of sales.
Freight. Our freight includes the cost of transporting raw materials to our production facilities from our quarries or the location of our suppliers. In the year ended December 31, 2023 freight represented 11% and in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, freight represented 11% and 10%, respectively, of our total cost of sales.
Salaries, wages and social security charges. Our salaries, wages and social security charges comprise mainly compensation, social contribution and employee benefits. In the year ended December 31, 2023 salaries, wages and social security charges represented 15% and in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, salaries, wages and social security charges represented 15% and 16%, respectively, of our total cost of sales.
Raw Material Availability. Our long-term success depends in part on our ability to secure raw materials in sufficient quantities, including limestone, gypsum and other materials necessary for the production of clinker and cement, which are currently available to us from quarries located close to the different industrial units. We generally obtain limestone from the mining of quarries that we own. In some cases, however, we may face the risk of the exhaustion of raw materials in some quarries, most notably limestone, which would require us to find new quarry sources further away from our production units, and result in potential materially higher raw material extraction and freight costs. In the year ended December 31, 2023 raw materials represented 18% and in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, raw materials represented 15% and 11%, respectively, of our total cost of sales.
Effects of Taxes on Our Income
We are subject to a variety of generally applicable Argentine federal and state taxes on our operations and results. We are subject to Argentine federal Income Tax by applying a sliding scale from 25% to 35%, depending on the accumulated net income obtained during the given year. Dividends paid to Argentine individuals and foreign beneficiaries (both individuals and entities) are subject to a 7% withholding tax made by the paying entity.
We are also subject to the following federal and state taxes:
•Turnover Tax. The Turnover Tax is a provincial tax and the rate applicable depends on each province. Currently, the Turnover Tax represents approximately 1,5% of our net sales.
•Quarry Exploitation Fee. Municipalities establish certain taxes that may have incidence on mining developments. Each jurisdiction in which mining activities are developed has its particular legislation.
For example, Municipalities may charge a quarry exploitation quota equivalent to the amount of limestone contained in the cement dispatched or sold from the factory at a rate determined by each municipality. The rate is determined at a fixed amount, which is updated in a monthly basis. This amount represented 1.35% of sales in 2023 of cement, masonry cement and lime.
•Tax on Bank Accounts Debits and Credits. The general rate of the tax on bank accounts debits and credits is 0.6% for each debit and each credit, while an increased rate of 1.2% applies in cases in which there has been a substitution for the use of a bank account. Taxpayers (whether at 0.6% or 1.2% rate) may compute 33% of the amounts paid under this tax as a payment on account of the income tax. Law 27,264, in force since August 2016, establishes that micro and small sized companies may apply 100% of this tax as an
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advance payment of income tax, medium industrial sized may apply 50% of this tax as an advance payment of income tax. Moreover, Law 27,432 establishes that the Executive Branch may increase up to 20% per year the percentage of the payments of this tax that can be computed for as payment on account of Argentine income tax. The government has not exercised this faculty since 2018 and currently it is uncertain if an increase of the computable amounts will take place in the medium term.
•Stamp Tax. Stamp tax is a local tax that is levied based on the formal execution of public or private instruments. Documents subject to stamp tax include, among others, all types of contracts, notarial deeds and promissory notes. Each province and the City of Buenos Aires have their own stamp tax legislation. Stamp tax rates vary according to the jurisdiction and agreement involved. In general, stamp tax rates vary from 0.5% to 3.5% and are applied based on the economic value of the instrument.
•Personal Assets Tax. An annual net wealth tax applies on the net equity where the shareholder is a nonresident or a resident individual at a rate of 0.50%. We have the right to request reimbursement from the shareholder. The taxable base of the personal assets tax is the book value of the shares as stated in the last financial statements issued on December 31 on the relevant tax period.
We are also subject to certain other non-material duties and taxes.
Effect of Indebtedness Level and Interest Rates
As of December 31, 2023, our total outstanding borrowings on a consolidated basis were Ps. 147,370 million. The level of our indebtedness results in financial results that are reflected in our consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Financial results consist of interest expense, exchange gains/losses on U.S. dollar and other foreign currency-denominated debt, and other items as set forth in Note 10 of our audited consolidated financial statements. During 2023, we recorded financial expenses of Ps. 73,323 million, which included Ps. 61,853 million in interest expense related to our loans and financings.
The interest rates we pay on our indebtedness depend on a variety of factors, including prevailing Argentine and international interest rates, any collateral or guarantees and risk assessments of our company, our industry and the economies in Argentina and other markets in which we operate made by our potential lenders, potential purchasers of our debt securities and the rating agencies that assess our debt securities.
Financial Presentation and Accounting Practices
Presentation of Financial Statements
We maintain our financial books and records in pesos. We have prepared our annual audited consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB. We have adopted all new and revised standards and interpretations issued by the IASB that are relevant to our operations and that are mandatorily effective as of December 31, 2023. The application of these amendments has had no impact on the disclosures or amounts recognized in our audited consolidated financial statements.
Our audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, which has been restated in end-of-period currency in the case of non-monetary items.
Upon estimating the fair value of an asset or a liability, we take into consideration the characteristics of the asset or the liability when market participants do take these features into consideration when valuing the asset or the liability at the date of measurement. Fair value for purposes of measurement and/or disclosure in our financial statements is determined on that basis, except for the transactions consisting in share-based payments that are within the scope of IFRS 2, lease transactions within the scope of IFRS 16 and the measurements that have certain points in common with fair value but are not fair value such as net realizable value in IAS 2 or value in use in IAS 36.
Besides, for financial reporting purposes, fair value measurements are categorized as level 1, 2 or 3 on the basis of the degree to which fair value measurement inputs are observable and the impact of inputs for fair value measurements overall as described below:
•Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date;
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•Level 2: valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to their value measurement is directly or indirectly observable; and
•Level 3: valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.
Classification into current and non-current:
We present assets and liabilities in our consolidated statement of financial position classified as current and non-current.
Assets are classified as current when:
(i)we expect to realize the asset or intend to sell or consume it during its normal operation cycle;
(ii)we maintain the asset primarily for trading purposes;
(iii)we expect to realize the asset within twelve months after the reporting period; or
(iv)the asset is cash or cash equivalents unless the asset is restricted and may not be exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period.
All the other assets are classified as non-current
Liabilities are classified as current when:
(i)we expect to settle the liability during its normal operation cycle;
(ii)we maintain the liability primarily for trading purposes;
(iii)the liability must be settled within the twelve months after the reporting period; or
(iv)we do not have an unconditional rights to defer settlement of the liability for at least the twelve months after the reporting period.
All the other liabilities are classified as non-current.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current assets and liabilities in all cases.
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires our board of directors to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities and the accompanying disclosures, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future periods.
The description of the estimates and significant accounting judgments made by our board of directors in the application of accounting policies as well as areas with a higher degree of complexity that require further judgment are disclosed in “Note 4 of our audited consolidated statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022”.
The main accounting policies are herein below discussed.
Principal Accounting Policies
Standards and Interpretations issued but not yet effective
The following is a description of the standards and interpretations that have been published but are not yet effective as of the date of issuance of our consolidated financial statements. We intend to adopt these standards, if applicable, when they become effective.
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•IAS 1 Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current
In January 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” to specify the requirements for the classification of liabilities as current or non-current. The amendments clarify: (i) what is meant by a right to defer settlement; (ii) that a right to defer must exist at the end of the reporting period; (iii) that classification is unaffected by the likelihood that an entity will exercise its deferral right; and (iv) that only if an embedded derivative in a convertible liability is itself an equity instrument would the terms of a liability not impact its classification. The amendments shall be effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2024 and shall be applied retroactively. These amendments are not expected to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.
•Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback – Amendments to IFRS 16
The amendment to IFRS 16 Leases specifies the requirements that a seller-lessee uses in measuring the lease liability arising in a sale and leaseback transaction, to ensure the seller-lessee does not recognize any amount of the gain or loss that relates to the right of use it retains.
The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning as from January 1st, 2024. The amendments are not expected to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.
•Disclosures: Supplier Finance Arrangements -Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7
In May 2023, the Board issued amendments to IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows and IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures. The amendments specify disclosure requirements to enhance the current requirements, which are intended to assist users of financial statements in understanding the effects of supplier finance arrangements on an entity’s liabilities, cash flows and exposure to liquidity risk.
The amendments clarify the characteristics of supplier finance arrangements. In these arrangements, one or more finance providers pay amounts an entity owes to its suppliers. The entity agrees to settle those amounts with the finance providers according to the terms and conditions of the arrangements, either at the same date or at a later date than that on which the finance providers pay the entity’s suppliers.
The amendments require an entity to provide information about the impact of supplier finance arrangements on liabilities and cash flows, including terms and conditions of those arrangements, quantitative information on liabilities related to those arrangements as at the beginning and end of the reporting period.
Considering our business practice in recent years, no impacts are expected in relation to this modification. This modification is effective for financial statement presentation periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024.
•Lack of exchangeability – Amendments to IAS 21
In August 2023, the Board issued Lack of Exchangeability (Amendments to IAS 21). The amendment to IAS 21 specifies how an entity should assess whether a currency is exchangeable and how it should determine a spot exchange rate when exchangeability is lacking. The amendments refer to:
–A currency is considered to be exchangeable into another currency when an entity is able to obtain the other currency within a time frame that allows for a normal administrative delay and through a market or exchange mechanism in which an exchange transaction would create enforceable rights and obligations; a currency is not interchangeable with another currency if an entity can only obtain an insignificant amount of the other currency.
–If a currency is not exchangeable into another currency, an entity is required to estimate the spot exchange rate at the measurement date. An entity’s objective in estimating the spot exchange rate is to reflect the rate at which an orderly exchange transaction would take place at the measurement date between market participants under prevailing economic conditions. The amendments note that an entity can use an observable exchange rate without adjustment or another estimation technique.
–When an entity estimates a spot exchange rate because a currency is not exchangeable into another currency, it discloses information that enables users of its financial statements to understand how the currency not being exchangeable into the other currency affects, or is expected to affect, the entity’s financial performance, financial position and cash flows.
The amendments will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1st, 2025. Early adoption is permitted but will need to be disclosed.
•Enhancement and standardization of climate-related disclosures for investors
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On March 6 2024, the SEC issued the final rule on the enhancement and standardization of climate-related disclosures for investors. This rule mandates the disclosure of information regarding a registrant’s climate-related risks that have materially impacted, or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on, its business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. On April 4, 2024, the SEC voluntarily stayed its climate-related disclosure rules pending completion of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeal’s review of the rules. According to its order, the SEC will “continue vigorously defending” the rules in court, but issued the stay in part to avoid potential regulatory uncertainty if registrants were to become subject to the rules’ requirements during the pendency of the challenges to their validity. We continue to monitor the outcome of the proceeding and if the new regulation comes into effect we will assess the impact of this rule that may imply the need of additional disclosure.
•IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements
IFRS 18 was issued on 9 April 2024 and becomes effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027. IFRS 18 introduces new requirements on presentation within the statement of profit or loss, including specified totals and subtotals. It also requires disclosure of management-defined performance measures and includes new requirements for aggregation and disaggregation of financial information based on the identified ‘roles’ of the primary financial statements and the notes. In addition, there are consequential amendments to other accounting standards.
Adoption of new standards and interpretation
We have adopted all the improvements and new standards and interpretations issued by IASB that are relevant to our operations and that are effective for the financial year ended December 31, 2023. As from January 1, 2023, we began to apply the following standards:
•Disclosure of Accounting Policies - Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2
The amendments require entities to disclose their “material accounting policy information”, instead of “significant accounting policies”.The amendments provide guidance and examples to help entities to identify when an accounting policy is material. We made the modifications required by the standard, which did not have a material impact on the disclosures of our accounting policies, and did not affect the measurement, recognition or presentation criteria in our financial statements.
•IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors
The amendments clarify the distinction between changes in accounting estimates, changes in accounting policies and the correction of errors. They also clarify how entities use measurement techniques and inputs to develop accounting estimates. The amendments clarify that a change in the accounting estimate resulting from new information or new developments is not the correction of an error. The amendments had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.
•Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction – Amendments to IAS 12
The amendments narrow the scope of the initial recognition exception, so that it no longer applies to transactions that give rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary differences at that moment. The amendments had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.
•International Tax Reform—Pillar Two Model Rules – Amendments to IAS 12
The amendments to IAS 12 have been introduced in response to the OECD’s BEPS Pillar Two rules (inclusive framework about anti base erosion and profit shifting) and include:
(a) A mandatory temporary exception to the recognition and disclosure of deferred taxes arising from the jurisdictional implementation of the Pillar Two model rules; and
(b) Disclosure requirements for affected entities to help users of the financial statements better understand an entity’s exposure to Pillar Two income taxes arising from that legislation, particularly before its effective date.
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The mandatory temporary exception (the use of which is required to be disclosed) applies immediately.
Although the BEPS rules are global, the rules would be implemented through legislation enacted in jurisdictions that adopt them. The BEPS rules have not been enacted or substantially enacted in jurisdictions in which we operate and/or in those jurisdictions in which its controlling entities operate.
We continue monitoring the legislation, including the effective date, any transitional exemption, if applicable, and any other important requirements. We will continue the evaluation of the potential exposure to Pillar Two income taxes and its implementation based on the most recent information available at all times, although it understands that it will not have effects on its financial statements on the basis that the rate of income tax that is applicable is higher than the minimum rate of 15% considered by the BEPS rules.
The above mentioned amendments did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are those that are important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and that require our management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the possible future resolution of the uncertainties increases, those judgments become even more subjective and complex. For more information about our critical accounting policies, see the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements.
In order to provide an understanding of how our management forms its judgments about future events, including the variables and assumptions underlying the estimates, and the sensitivity of those judgments to different circumstances, we have identified the following critical accounting policies:
•revenue recognition;
•leases;
•foreign currency and functional currency;
•borrowing costs;
•taxation (income tax and personal assets tax);
•property, plant and equipment;
•impairment of tangible and intangible assets;
•inventories;
•provisions, including environmental restoration and assets decommissioning obligations, and provision for lawsuits and other contingencies;
•financial instruments;
•financial assets;
•financial liabilities and equity instruments;
•short- and long-term employee benefits; and
•stripping and quarry exploitation costs.
•Ferrosur Roca S.A. concession; and
•Management’s account estimates and judgments on environmental matters
Revenue recognition
We are engaged in the production and distribution of cement, masonry cement, concrete, limestone and aggregates, we operate the Ferrosur Roca concession with approximately 3,100 km of railroads to provide transportation services linking five of our production facilities (Ramallo, Olavarría, Barker, Zapala and L’Amalí) with the LomaSer distribution center. We are also engaged in the industrial waste recycling business. The goods to be delivered and the
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services to be provided arise from agreements with commercial substance (in general, they are not written) where we may identify the right of each one of the parties and the payment terms.
Sale of goods
Revenues from sales of goods are recognized when control over goods is transferred to the customer for an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for such assets. The customer obtains control of the goods when significant risks and rewards of the products sold are transferred in accordance with the specific delivery terms agreed with the customer. Revenues from the sale of goods are measured at fair value of the consideration received or to be collected, net of commercial discounts. No financing components are considered in the transaction since credit terms vary greatly between 20 and 35 days, depending on the specific terms agreed upon, which is consistent with market practices.
Some agreements with customers offer commercial discounts or volume-based discounts. If revenues cannot be reliably measured, we defer revenue recognition until the uncertainty is resolved. However, due to the fact that performance obligations relate mainly to the delivery of the acquired goods, and that both the price and any discount granted are specifically agreed between the parties, there are in practice no uncertainties associated with revenue recognition from sales of goods. Variable consideration is recognized when there is a high likelihood that there will not be a significant reversal in the amount of the accumulated revenues recognized in the agreement and is measured using the expected value or the most likely amount method, whichever allows to make a better prediction of the amount based on the terms and conditions of the agreement.
The products sold by us in general are not returned by customers once they have approved their quality, which occurs at the time of reception.
Services rendered
We provide transportation services along with the sale of cement, concrete, limestone, and aggregates. Revenues from transportation services are recognized at the time services are provided, which is usually when revenues from the sale of the transported good are recognized as transportation distance and time is very short. Revenue is measured on the basis of the consideration defined in the contract with customers.
Revenues from freight railway services and waste recycling services are recognized at the time such services are rendered.
Leases
Group as Lessee:
The accounting model for the recognition and measurement of all leases is as follows:
Right of use assets
We recognize a right of use asset at the beginning of each lease (the date on which the underlying asset is available for use). Right of use assets are measured at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted to reflect any remeasurement of liabilities and to recognize changes in the purchasing power of currency. The cost of the right of use assets includes the amount of the recognized lease liabilities, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the lease start date, less any incentives received. Unless we are certain that it will acquire the asset at the end of the lease, right of use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives and the lease term (calculated based on the term of the relevant agreements, including renewal provisions in the event that they are highly likely to continue). The right of use assets are subject to impairment.
We apply the short-term lease recognition exception (i.e., those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the inception date and do not contain a purchase option). We also apply the recognition exception to leases that are considered to be of low value. Payments under these leases are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
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Lease liabilities
Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of future lease payments to be made throughout the lease term, for which market rates have been used according to the nature and term of each agreement. Lease payments include fixed payments, less any lease incentives to be received, variable payments depending on an index or rate and amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees. Lease payments also include the exercise price of any purchase option of the leased underlying asset, and any penalties for terminating the lease, provided that it is reasonably likely that we will exercise such options. Variable payments that do not depend on an index or rate are recognized in profit or loss for the year of occurrence of the condition to which they are subject.
The unwinding of the discount recognized for each lease is accounted by us in the comprehensive income of each year.
Group as Lessor:
The income from the operating lease of buildings and equipment is recognized every month during the lease term. Leases in which we do not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards inherent in the ownership of the asset are classified as operating leases. The initial direct costs incurred in negotiating an operating lease are in addition to the carrying amount of the leased asset and are recognized throughout the lease term on the same basis as lease income.
Foreign currency and functional currency
For purposes of the consolidated financial statements, the income/ (loss) and the financial condition of each company are stated in pesos, considered to be functional currency (the currency of the primary economic environment in which an entity operates) for all group companies and this is also the currency of presentation of the consolidated financial statements.
For purposes of presentation of our consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities from our foreign operations are translated to pesos at foreign exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting period and their statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income are translated at the average foreign exchange rate for each month, unless the corresponding foreign exchange rate has fluctuated significantly during the month, in which case, the exchange prevailing on the date of the transaction is used.
Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded at their respective functional currency spot rates at the date the transaction first qualifies for recognition.
Foreign exchange gains / (losses) from monetary items are recognized in profit and loss for the year, restated at year-end currency, except for those arising from borrowings denominated in foreign currency to financing qualifying assets, such as assets under construction for future productive use, which were included in the cost of such assets for being considered as an adjustment to the cost of interest accrued on such foreign currency denominated borrowings.
Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs, net of the effect of inflation directly attributed to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset until the assets are ready for use or sale.
Income earned on short-term investments of specific outstanding borrowings to finance the construction of qualifying assets is deducted from the borrowing costs that may qualify for capitalization.
All the other borrowing costs are recognized in profit or loss when incurred, net of the effect of the inflation on the liabilities that generated them. We have not capitalized interest or exchange differences in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
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Taxation
Argentina
Income tax
We assess the income tax charge to be booked in accordance with the deferred tax method, which considers the effect of timing differences originating in the different basis for measuring assets and liabilities according to accounting and tax criteria and of the existing net losses and unused tax credits susceptible of deduction of future taxable income computed by considering the tax rate in force. Law No. 27,260, which was enacted on June 16, 2021, introduced amendments to the corporate tax rate by setting a staggered structure of applicable rates based on the level of accumulated net taxable income for each company, which may be 25%, 30% or 35%; the 7% tax on the distribution of dividends, however, has remained unchanged.
Current taxes
Current tax payable is based on the taxable profit for the fiscal year. Taxable profit differs from profit before tax as reported in the consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income because of items of income, or expenses that are taxable or deductible in other years and items that will never be taxable or deductible. Our liability for current tax is calculated using the tax rates that have been substantially enacted at the end of the reporting period.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognized on the temporary differences between the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities included in the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognized for all future taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that we are likely to have future tax profit against which it is possible to account for those deductible temporary differences. Such deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognized when temporary difference arose from goodwill or the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amounts of deferred tax assets are reviewed at the end of each fiscal year and derecognized to the extent it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the fiscal year when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the end of the reporting period. Measurement of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets at the end of fiscal year being reported reflects the tax consequences that would stem from the manner in which the entity expects to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.
We offset deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities if and only if a) it has legally enforceable right to set off current taxes and current liabilities and b) the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities and we intend either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and associates, except where we are able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments are recognized only to the extent it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profit to use the benefits of temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in a foreseeable future period.
Current and deferred taxes
Current and deferred taxes are recognized in the statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income, except when they relate to items that are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case, the current and deferred taxes are also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively. When
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current tax or deferred taxes arise from a business combination, the tax effect is included in the accounting for the business combination.
Personal asset tax—Substitute responsible
Argentine resident individuals and non-Argentine resident individuals and entities, are subject to a personal asset tax at a rate of 0.50% over of the equity value of any shares or the American Depositary Shares issued by Argentine entities, held as of December 31 of each year. The tax is on the Argentine issuers of said shares, who must pay for this tax on behalf of the relevant shareholders.
In accordance with the Personal Asset Tax Law, we are entitled to obtain a reimbursement of the tax paid from the shareholders levied with the above-mentioned tax through the reimbursement mechanism that the we deem advisable.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment held for use in the production or supply of goods and services, or for administrative purposes, are recorded at their cost restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period, in accordance with Note 2.2, less accumulated depreciation and impairment loss.
The cost includes the stripping and initial preparation of the open pit quarries, as mentioned in Note 3.18 to our consolidated financial statements, and the counterpart for the environmental restoration and/or dismantling obligations recognized, as indicated in Note 3.12 to our consolidated financial statements. It also includes borrowing costs for long-term construction projects if the recognition criteria are met.
When significant parts of plant and equipment are required to be replaced at intervals, we depreciate them separately based on their specific useful lives. Likewise, when a major inspection is performed, its cost is recognized in the carrying amount of the plant and equipment as a replacement if the recognition criteria are satisfied. All other repair and maintenance costs are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.
The lands owned by Loma Negra are not subject to depreciation.
Construction in progress for administrative, production, supply or other purposes are carried at cost restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period, in accordance with Note 2.2 to our consolidated financial statements, less any recognized impairment loss.
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment commences when such assets are ready for their intended use.
Property, plant and equipment are depreciated, except for land and assets under construction, over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. The estimated useful life, the residual value and the depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each fiscal year, with the effect of any changes in estimates being accounted for on a prospective basis.
Gain or loss from the disposal or write-off of an item of property, plant and equipment is calculated as the difference between net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognized in profit or loss at its value restated at the year-end currency.
We assess the recoverability of the value of its property, plant and equipment items whenever any indication of impairment is identified. The assessments are carried out considering the cash-generating units established by us.
Impairment of tangible and intangible assets
At the end of each period, we review if any indication that tangible and intangible assets might be impaired.
In case of impairment indicators are observed, we calculate the recoverable amount per cash-generating unit. The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of the fair value less cost of disposal and its value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments as of year-end with respect to the time value of money considering the risks that are specific to the asset.
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If the recoverable value of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying value of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable value. Impairment losses are immediately recognized in profit or loss.
When a recognized impairment loss is subsequently reversed, the book value of the asset is increased up to the new recoverable amount but the reversal is limited so that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset or CGU in prior years. Impairment loss reversals are immediately recognized in profit loss. Impairment losses related to goodwill are not reversed in future periods.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost restated in constant currency at the end of period and net realizable value. Costs incurred in bringing products to their present condition are accounted for as follows:
•Raw materials and spare parts: at acquisition cost according to the weighted average price method.
•Finished goods and work in progress: at acquisition cost of raw materials and labor, plus a proportion of manufacturing overheads based on normal operating capacity.
The net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. In assessing recoverable amounts of inventories, slow-moving inventories are also considered. The carrying amount of inventories as of the fiscal year-end does not exceed their recoverable value.
Provisions
We recognize provisions when we have a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
Estimated amounts of the obligation are based on the expected outflows that will be required to settle such obligation. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects, when appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.
When we expect some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, the reimbursement is recognized as a separate asset (a receivable), but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain and the amount of the receivable can be reliably measured.
We use the opinion of our legal advisers to determine if a provision should be recorded as well as to estimate the amounts of the obligations.
Environmental restoration and asset decommissioning obligations
Under legal provisions and best practices, and the environmental commitments assumed by the company, land used by the Group for mining and quarrying is subject to environmental restoration, and the fixed assets used in production will be removed at the end of operations.
In this context, provisions are recognized as long as they are determinable, in order to afford the estimated expenses for the environmental recovery and restoration of the mining areas and the retirement of the corresponding productive assets. These provisions are recorded simultaneously with the increase in value in the underlying asset and the relevant depreciation of the assets involved is recognized in profit and loss prospectively.
The liability recorded is increased due to the unwinding of the discount and this change is charged to net profit or loss. In estimating the expected cost, we take into account changes in environmental legislation and regulations, if any, that may impact the process and restoration and dismantling costs. The environmental restoration and asset retirement obligation can also increase or decrease due to changes in the estimated timing of cash flows, changes in the discount rate and/or changes in the original estimated undiscounted costs. Increases or decreases in the obligation other than the unwinding of discount will result in a corresponding change in the carrying amount of the related asset. Actual costs
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incurred upon settlement of the asset retirement obligation are charged against the asset retirement obligation to the extent of the liability recorded. We discount the costs related to asset retirement obligations using the discount rate that reflects the current market assessment of the time value of money and risks specific to the liabilities that have not been reflected in the cash flow estimates. Asset retirement obligations are remeasured at each reporting period in order to reflect the discount rates in effect at that time.
In addition, we follow the practice of progressively restoring the areas by the removal of quarries using the provisions recognized for that purpose.
Provisions for lawsuits and other contingencies
The final settlement cost of complaints and litigation may vary due to estimates based on different interpretations of regulations, opinions and final assessments of damages. Therefore, any change in the circumstances related to this type of contingencies may have a significant impact on the amount of the provision for contingencies recorded.
In the normal course of its business, we select tax criteria and accounting positions based on a reasonable interpretation of the current regulations, also taking into consideration the opinion of its tax and legal advisors along with evidence available up to the date of issuance of these financial statements. Nevertheless, in the event of situations where the assessment by a third party and the potential occurrence of damage for the Group are uncertain, the Group has not recorded a provision as it is has not been required under IFRS.
The Group makes judgments and estimates to assess whether it is necessary to record costs and make provisions for environmental cleanup remediation and asset retirement obligations based on the current information related to expected remediation costs and plans. In the case of environmental provisions, costs may differ from estimates due to changes in laws and regulations, discovery and analysis of local conditions, as well as changes in cleanup technologies. Therefore, any change in the factors or circumstances related to this type of provisions, as well as any amendment to the rules and regulations may thus have a significant impact on the provisions recorded our financial statements.
Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized when we become a party to the contractual provisions of the instruments.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financials assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss) are added or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets of financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transactions costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognized immediately in profit or loss.
Interest and financial income are recognized to the extent the effective interest rate is accrued.
In general, the Group receives short-term advances from its customers. Pursuant to the practical expedient of IFRS 15, the Group does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if it expects, at contract inception, that the period between the entity transfers a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less. The Group does not receive any long-term advances from its customers.
Financial assets
The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset’s contractual cash flow characteristics and our business model for managing them. With the exception of trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which we have applied the practical expedient, we initially measure a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs. Trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which we have applied the practical expedient are measured at the transaction price.
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According to the provisions under IFRS 9 “Financial instruments”, we classify for purposes of subsequent measurement our financial assets into the following two categories because the company has not asset that are designated as fair value through other comprehensive income:
Financial assets at amortized cost
A financial asset is measured at amortized cost if both of the following conditions are met: (i) the asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets in order to collect contractual cash flows; and (ii) the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.
In addition, for the assets that satisfy the conditions mentioned above, IFRS 9 provides the option of designating at the time of initial recognition, an asset as measured at reasonable value if in doing so it eliminates or significantly reduces an inconsistency in valuation or recognition that would have arisen if the valuation of the assets or liabilities or the recognition of their income or loss were effected on different bases.
We have not designated any financial asset at fair value using this option. As of December 31, 2023, our financial assets at amortized cost comprise certain cash and cash equivalent elements, accounts receivable, trade and other receivables.
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
If one of the criteria mentioned above were not satisfied, the financial asset is classified as an asset measured at “fair value through profit or loss”.
At the date of our consolidated financial statement contained herein our financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include mutual funds classified as current investments.
Recognition and measurement
Acquisitions and disposals of financial assets are recognized on the date on which our promises to purchase or sell the asset. Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from such instruments and the risks and benefits related to their ownership have been terminated or assigned.
Financial assets at amortized cost are initially recognized at fair value plus transaction costs. These assets accrue interest based on the effective interest rate method.
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are initially recognized at fair value and transaction costs are recognized as expenses in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. They are subsequently measured at fair value. Changes in fair values and gains or losses on the sale of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are recognized in “Financial results, net” in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
In general, we use the transaction price to determine the fair value of a financial instrument at initial recognition. In all other cases, we only records a gain or loss at initial recognition if the fair value of the instrument is evidenced by other comparable and observable market transactions for the same instrument or is based on a valuation technique incorporating only observable market data. Any gains or losses not recognized at initial recognition of a financial asset are subsequently recognized only to the extent that they arise from a change in factors (including time) that market participants would consider in establishing the price.
The results of debt instruments that are measured at amortized cost and are not designated in a hedging relationship are recognized in the profit or loss and other comprehensive income statement using the effective interest rate method. The Group reclassifies between categories all investments in debt instruments only when there is a change in the business model used to manage such assets.
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Financial asset impairment
At the end of each period, we assess if there is objective evidence of impairment of a financial asset or group of financial assets measured at amortized cost. Impairment is recorded only if there is objective evidence of the impairment as a consequence of one or more events occurred after the initial recognition of the asset and said impairment may be reliably measured.
The Group defined a policy to calculate ECLs for trade receivables and record the related allowance for debtors’ impairment. The provision is initially based on the Group’s historical observed default rates and it is complemented by a case by case analysis to identify special circumstances on individual customers and/or transactions.
Evidence of impairment includes indications that the debtors or a group of debtors are experiencing serious financial difficulties, default or arrears in interest or principal payments, the likelihood that they will be declared bankrupt or file for reorganization proceedings, and when such observable data indicates that there is a decrease in the estimated future cash flows.
The amount of the impairment is measured as the difference between the book value of the asset and the present value of estimated future cash flows (to the exclusion of future loan losses not incurred) discounted at the original effective interest rate of the financial asset. The carrying amount of the asset is written down and the amount of the loss is recognized in the profit or loss and other comprehensive income. As a practical measure, we may measure impairment on the basis of the fair value of an instrument, using an observable market price. If, in a subsequent period, the impairment amount decreases and such reduction is related to an event taking place after the original impairment, the reversal of the impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
Offsetting of financial instrument
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognized amounts and when there is an intent to settle on a net basis, to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Derecognition of a financial asset
A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognised (i.e., removed from the Group’s consolidated statement of financial position) when:
•The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired, or
•We transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either (a) we have transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) we have neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset
When the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass-through arrangement, it evaluates if, and to what extent, it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership.
When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the Group continues to recognise the transferred asset to the extent of its continuing involvement. In that case, the Group also recognises an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Group has retained.
Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Group could be required to repay.
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Financial liabilities and equity instruments
Classification as debt or equity
Debt and equity instruments are classified as financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual agreement and the definitions of financial liabilities and equity instruments.
Equity instruments
An equity instrument consists in a contract evidencing a residual ownership interest over an entity’s net assets after deducting all its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by us are recognized at the amount of proceeds received, net of direct issuance costs.
The repurchase of our own equity instruments is recognized and deducted directly in equity. No gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss stemming from purchases, sales, issuance or cancellation of our own equity instruments.
Note 3.16 of our consolidated financial statements disclose the valuation and classification criterion for all individual equity accounts, including non-controlling interest.
Financial Liabilities:
Financial liabilities are classified as at fair value through profit or loss or other financial liabilities.
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss:
A financial liability at fair value through profit or loss is a financial liability classified either as held for trading or at fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if:
a)It has been acquired or incurred principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the near term; or
b)At the time of initial recognition, the liabilities are part of a portfolio of financial instruments that are managed by the Group and there is evidence of a recent current pattern of short-term profit; or
c)It is a derivative that has not been designated and is not effective as a hedging instrument or financial guarantee.
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recorded at fair value, with any gains or losses arising from the remeasurement being recognized in profit or loss. The net gain or loss recognized in profit or loss includes any interest paid on the financial liability and is included in other financial results. Fair value is determined as described in Note 32 of our consolidated financial statements.
Financial liabilities (other than financial liabilities held for trading) or contingent consideration to be paid by an acquirer as a part of a business combination may be designated as a liability at fair value through profit and loss upon initial recognition if:
•Such designation eliminates or significantly reduces a potential accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise; or
•Financial liabilities are part of a group of financial assets or liabilities or both, which is managed and whose performance is assessed on the basis of fair value, in accordance with the Group’s documented risk management or investment strategy, and information about the Group is provided internally on that basis; or
•They are part of a contract containing one or more embedded derivatives, and IFRS 9 allows the entire combined contract to be carried at fair value through profit and loss.
We have no financial liabilities measured at fair value to be presented in the statement of financial position.
Other financial liabilities:
Other financial liabilities, including borrowings and trade and other payables, are initially recognized at fair value, net of transaction costs.
Subsequent to initial recognition, other financial liabilities are then measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method, with interest expense recognized based on actual return.
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Financial liabilities are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement for more than twelve months after the date of the financial statements.
Financial liabilities in foreign currency:
The fair value of financial liabilities in foreign currency is determined in that foreign currency and translated at the exchange rate at the end of each fiscal year. The foreign currency component is part of its profit or loss at fair value. For financial liabilities classified as at fair value through profit or loss, the foreign currency component is recognized in profit or loss.
For debt instruments denominated in foreign currency classified at amortized cost, gains and losses in foreign currency are determined on the basis of the amortized cost of the liability and recognized in “Exchange rate differences” (see Note 10 of our consolidated financial statements) under the “Financial results net” in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
Derecognition of financial liabilities:
We derecognize financial liabilities if, and only if, the obligations of the Group expire, are settled or satisfied.
Short- and long-term employee benefits
Liabilities are recognized for the benefits accrued in favor of employees with respect to the salaries and wages, annual vacations and leaves of absence due to diseases in the period in which the service is rendered in connection with the non-discounted amount of the benefits expected to be paid in exchange for such service.
Liabilities recognized with respect to other long-term employee benefits (severance payment plans resulting from specific plans for employees leaving the Group and receiving a compensation payable in installments) are measured at the present value of estimated future cash outflows expected to be paid.
On January 24, 2018, our board of directors approved the implementation of an incentive program calculated on the basis of our ADS (the “Program”). See “Item 6.B Directors, Senior Management and Employees – Compensation – Long-Term Incentive Program”. The purpose of this Program is to attract and retain certain high-ranking employees who satisfy certain eligibility criteria, with the goal of aligning their long-term interests with those of the company and its shareholders.
Under this program, a liability was recorded to reflect the fair value of the obligations resulting from the incentive plan as they are settled in cash. Such fair value is determined at the beginning and at the end of the fiscal year through the plan settlement date. To calculate the fair value, the Group uses the Black-Scholes valuation method. Changes in the fair value is recorded as an expense during the vesting period and any changes in the fair value are recognized in salaries, wages and social security contributions within the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and the related liability is recognized in non-current Salaries and social security payables within the statement of financial position. See Note 19 of our consolidated financial statements.
During the fiscal year 2021, the board of directors, through its meeting held on February 12, 2021, implemented two new employee incentive programs with the same objective. These programs replaced the program previously approved by the board of directors at its meeting of January 24, 2018, notwithstanding the fact that the annual awards that have already been granted as part of the original program will remain in force.
The programs approved in 2021 consist in delivering, to certain employees, shares of the company’s common stock listed on the Argentine Stock Exchanges and Markets (“BYMA”) and/or on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) in the form of ADSs, being one of the programs subject to total shareholder return (Total Shareholder Return or “TSR”), and the other to the permanence of the selected employees with the Group. In other words, the effective delivery of the shares will depend on the degree of performance of the return as defined in each of the annual plans that will be issued as part of the program, and on the permanence of the employee with the Group.
On December 19, 2023, December 21, 2022, and December 21, 2021 the company’s Board of Directors approved the issuance of the new plans within the framework of the programs implemented in 2021.
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The cost of the new share-based payment plans to be settled with equity instruments was initially measured at fair value at the date of grant, determined using a valuation model appropriate to the circumstances. The cost of this type of plan, along with the related changes, is recognized in “Share-based payment plans” in shareholders’ equity over the period in which the performance and/or service conditions are met, with contra to “Salaries, wages and social security contributions”. The accumulated expense recognized for these plans at each closing date, and up to the vesting date, reflects the extent to which the vesting period has been met and the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately remain as vested benefit for the employees. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, 17,473 and 10,069 ADRs, respectively, were distributed under the above incentive program.
Stripping and quarry exploitation costs
Following the guidelines established by IFRIC 20 "Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine", the costs of stripping and initial preparation of open-pit quarries for subsequent exploitation are capitalized as property, plant and equipment, as part of the company’s open-pit quarry stripping and development costs, and are subsequently depreciated based on the units extracted, considering to that end the estimation of reserves available for extraction and existing in the stripped area at all times. The Group periodically revalues the estimate of proven reserves in stripped quarries and prospectively adjusts the effects of any difference in the estimate of tons available for extraction. Due to the frequency in which estimates are reviewed, the risk of significant differences in estimates is reduced. Extraction costs incurred later during the production phase of the company are recognized as part of production costs.
In the ordinary course of business, the company undertakes several exploration and evaluation activities in order to search for mineral ore and determine the technical and commercial feasibility of the resources identified. Exploration and evaluation activities include research and analysis of historical exploration data, the compilation of exploration data through geological studies, exploratory drilling and sampling in several areas, the determination of the volume and qualification of the resources identified, among others.
Mineral rights acquired in connection with the right to explore existing exploration areas are capitalized and amortized during the term of the right. As soon as a legal right has been acquired to explore, exploration and evaluation costs are expensed as incurred to profit or loss, unless the company’s management arrives at the conclusion that there is a highest likelihood of obtaining future profits; when this is the case, costs are capitalized. In assessing whether the costs satisfy the criteria to be capitalized several information sources are used, including the nature of the assets, the surface area explored and the results of the samples taken, among others.
All capitalized stripping, exploration and evaluation costs are subject to impairment testing. In the case of determining a potential impairment indicator, the company carries out an assessment of its recoverability together with the group of related operating assets, which represents the cash-generating unit to which the exploration is attributed.
Ferrosur Roca S.A. concession
Management has reviewed the Group’s interest in Ferrosur Roca S.A., taking into account the provisions of IFRIC 12 Service Concession Arrangements, which provides guidance on accounting by the operators of public-to-private service concession arrangements.
Based on the fact that the grantor neither controls nor regulates which services should be provided by the operator to the infrastructure or to whom it must provide them, and at what price, the company's management concluded that the Ferrosur Roca S.A. concession is out of the scope of IFRIC 12 and, therefore, the Group does not apply its provisions. Accordingly, the Group has recorded the assets received from the concession and those subsequently acquired under IAS 16 - Property, Plant and Equipment.
The concession bidding terms and conditions grant an original term of thirty years (1993-2023) and originally provided for the possibility of an extension for ten additional years, which was rejected by the Ministry of Transport for the reasons described in Note 38 to the consolidated financial statements. On December 22, 2022, the Ministry of Transport provisionally granted an extension for an additional term of 18 months as from the expiration date of the concession. Therefore, the concession of Ferrosur Roca S.A. will end in September 2024.
The Group has evaluated potential business scenarios based on its intention to continue delivering services as a rail network operator and has not anticipated significant associated effects to date. Likewise, it has reassessed all the accounting estimates affected to the end of the current concession, especially those associated with the recoverability of
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certain non-current assets affected by it. The evaluations carried out by us are detailed in Note 38 to the consolidated financial statements.
Management’s accounting estimates and judgments on environmental matters
The Group is constantly working on a responsible and sustainable business strategy, committed to improving environmental performance on an ongoing basis, minimizing environmental impact caused by its operations, and providing maximum value for society.
To this end, we have set various environmental sustainability goals within the medium term (year 2030) and long term (year 2050), in alignment with the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (“SDG”) promoted by the United Nations.
The main committed goals are related to maximizing energy efficiency and renewable energy, reducing gas emissions and improving air quality, reducing the carbon footprint, maximizing water management, streamlining waste management by promoting circular economy, and improving efficiency in the use of materials.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Group's management has considered the potential environmental impact. Therefore, the estimates and judgments made by the Group's management primarily involve assumptions related to future regulations and performance of the industry in which the Group operates. The effects of changes in the estimates and judgments made may primarily relate to impairment tests on property, plant and equipment, the estimated useful life of fixed those assets and therefore the related depreciation recognized annually, as well as the recognition of provisions, such as the environmental provision to afford the estimated expenses for the environmental recovery and restoration of the mining areas exploited by the Group.
Components of Certain Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Line Items
Revenues
Our revenues are derived by deducting discounts to clients from our gross sales revenue. Practically all of our gross sales revenue is denominated in pesos and is derived primarily from our sale of cement products, concrete, aggregates and railway services.
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Cost of Sales
Our cost of sales consists of electrical power, manual labor, contractors, depreciation and amortization, freight, packaging and other costs. The following table sets forth the approximate percentage of our total cost of sales that each such component represented for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (in percentages) | |||||||||||||||||
| Thermal energy | 16.0 | 15.9 | 13.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Salaries, wages and social security charges | 15.3 | 14.9 | 15.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Freight and tools | 10.5 | 10.7 | 10.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 10.1 | 12.3 | 11.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Preservation and maintenance costs | 9.1 | 8.5 | 9.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Contractors | 7.9 | 6.9 | 7.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Electrical power | 7.7 | 8.7 | 9.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Packaging | 3.3 | 3.5 | 4.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Taxes, contributions and commissions | 1.7 | 1.8 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Fees and compensation for services | 1.5 | 1.9 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Transport and travelling expenses | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Employee benefits | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Security | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Insurance | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Leases | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Communications | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Canon (concession fee) | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Data processing | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Water, natural gas and energy services | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Tolls | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Others | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Production expenses | 87.0 | 88.8 | 89.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Our selling and administrative expenses consist of salaries, benefits and expenses paid to or on behalf of our sales force, advertising and marketing expenses, certain taxes, delivery services and other expenses. The following table
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sets forth the approximate percentage of our selling and administrative expenses that each such component represented for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (in percentages) | |||||||||||||||||
| Salaries, wages and social security charges | 25.0 | 25.1 | 22.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Taxes, contributions and commissions | 21.5 | 24.3 | 24.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Freight | 12.1 | 14.7 | 15.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Fees and compensation for services | 8.6 | 6.6 | 5.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Managers, directors and trustees’ fees | 7.3 | 7.7 | 7.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Advertising expenses | 5.5 | 4.6 | 4.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 5.2 | 6.5 | 5.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Insurance | 4.5 | 2.5 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Data processing | 3.6 | 2.5 | 2.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Employee benefits | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Transport and travelling expenses | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Communications | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Leases | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Preservation and maintenance costs | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | 0.3 | 0.2 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Security | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Water, natural gas and energy services | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Others | 2.1 | 1.7 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Total selling and administrative expenses | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||
Financial results, net
Our financial results principally reflects: (1) interest payments in respect of our short- and long-term indebtedness; (2) income from our financial investments; (3) unwinding on liabilities and receivables; (4) loss from securities transactions; (5) foreign exchange variations related to our foreign currency-denominated indebtedness; (6) gain or loss on net monetary position.; and (7) fees, commissions and other charges paid to financial institutions for borrowings. The non-cash components of our financial income (expenses), net, include foreign exchange variation. For a description of our outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2023, see “-Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense includes current and deferred taxes. Current income tax is measured as the amount expected to be paid (or recovered, to the extent applicable) to tax authorities based on the taxable profit for the period. Deferred taxes includes the effect of temporary differences originating in the different basis for measuring assets and liabilities according to accounting and tax criteria and of the existing net losses and unused tax credits susceptible of deduction of future taxable income computed by considering the tax rate.
Results of Operations
In the following discussion, references to increases or decreases in any period are made by comparison with the prior period, except as the context otherwise indicates. For a reconciliation of the operating results of our operating segments for the periods indicated to our consolidated results of operations, see “Note 31 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report”.
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Year Ended December 31, 2023, compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2022
The following table sets forth our consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for 2023 and 2022:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Variation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Amount | (%) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions of Ps., except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | 422,160.8 | 451,954.1 | (29,793.2) | -6.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | (316,253.6) | (329,905.1) | 13,651.5 | -4.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 105,907.2 | 122,049.0 | (16,141.7) | -13.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | (38,665.7) | (38,958.9) | 293.2 | -0.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other gains and losses | 918.1 | 10,542.5 | (9,624.4) | -91.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax on debits and credits to bank accounts | (4,676.5) | (4,531.8) | (144.8) | 3.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance costs, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange rate differences | (117,211.9) | (23,103.5) | (94,108.3) | 407.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on net monetary position | 138,760.3 | 42,809.7 | 95,950.6 | 224.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financial income | 5,709.9 | 5,064.5 | 645.4 | 12.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financial expenses | (73,323.2) | (79,607.3) | 6,284.1 | -7.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Profit before taxes | 17,418.3 | 34,264.2 | (16,845.9) | -49.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | (3,809.9) | (12,782.3) | 8,972.4 | -70.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred | (3,927.8) | (15,855.1) | 11,927.3 | -75.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net profit | 9,680.5 | 5,626.8 | 4,053.8 | 72.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
________________
Revenues
Our revenues decreased Ps. 29,793 million, or 6.6%, from Ps. 451,954 million in 2022 to Ps. 422,161 million in 2023, primarily due to lower topline performance of our core business, Cement, followed by the Railroad segment. This was partially offset by a better performance of Concrete and Aggregates.
•Cement, masonry cement and lime segment: Revenues from our cement, masonry cement and lime segment, without considering the eliminations between segments, decreased Ps. 45,652 million, from Ps. 399,360 million in 2022 to Ps. 353,709 million in 2023, mainly due to an average sales price decrease of 7.3%, coupled by a decrease of 4.5% in sales volume.
•Concrete segment: Revenues from our concrete segment, without considering the eliminations between segments, increased Ps. 2,288 million, from Ps. 38,199 million in 2022 to Ps. 40,486 million in 2023, mainly due to an increase of 0.2% in sales volume and an average sales price increase of 5.7%.
•Railroad segment: Revenues from our railroad segment, without considering the eliminations between segments, decreased Ps. 3,119 million, from Ps. 36,384 million in 2022 to Ps. 33,265 million in 2023, mainly due to an decrease of 7.5% in sales volume, coupled by a decline of 1.2% in the average sales price.
•Aggregates segment: Revenues from our aggregates segment, without considering the eliminations between segments, increased Ps. 1,624 million, from Ps. 11,264 million in 2022 to Ps. 12,888 million in 2023 mainly due to an increase of 3.9% in sales volume and an average price increase of 10.2%.
•Others segment: Revenues from Recycomb S.A.U., without considering the eliminations between segments, decreased Ps. 457 million, from Ps. 2,838 million in 2022 to Ps. 2,381 million in 2023.
Cost of sales
Our cost of sales decreased Ps. 13,652 million, or 4.1%, from Ps. 329,905 million for 2022 to Ps. 316,254 million for 2023, mostly as a consequence of the lower sales volume. The main contributors to our cost of sales decrease
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during the period were (1) Ps. 8,697 million in depreciation; (2) Ps. 6,157 million in thermal and electrical energy costs, due to lower sales volume and lower incidence of energy inputs in our cost of sales; and (3) a Ps. 2,116 million in lower freight costs, principally due to lower sales volume.
The following table sets forth the reconciliation of our production costs to our cost of sales for the years indicated:
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| (in millions of Ps.) | |||||||||||
| Purchases and production expenses for the year | 332,002.0 | 341,847.4 | |||||||||
| (+) Inventories at the beginning of the year | 83,407.7 | 71,465.5 | |||||||||
| (-) Inventories at the end of the year | 99,156.2 | 83,407.7 | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 316,253.6 | 329,905.1 | |||||||||
The cost of sales of our segments is set forth below, eliminations between segments are not considered:
•Cement, masonry cement and lime segment: Cost of sales from our cement, masonry cement and lime segment, without considering the eliminations between segments, decreased Ps. 25,682 million, or 9.4%, from Ps. 274,374 million in 2022 to Ps. 248,692 million in 2023. This decrease in cost of sales was mainly due to (1) lower thermal and electrical energy costs as a consequence of decreased sales volume and lower unitary costs in US dollars; (2) a decrease in depreciation; and (3) lower freight costs mainly due to a decreased outbound and inbound transportation needs.
•Concrete segment: Cost of sales from our concrete segment, without considering the eliminations between segments, increased Ps. 1,954 million, or 5.1%, from Ps. 38,174 million in 2022 to Ps. 40,128 million in 2023, mainly reflecting an increase in costs due to higher raw materials costs, equipment leases and maintenance costs and salaries, partially compensated by lower fuel cost.
•Railroad segment: Cost of sales from our railroad segment decreased Ps. 7,102 million, or 17.2%, from Ps. 41,277 million in 2022 to Ps. 34,175 million in 2023, mainly due to lower transported volume coupled with lower depreciation and fuel costs.
•Aggregates segment: Cost of sales from our aggregates segment increased Ps. 1,702 million, or 16.5%, from Ps. 10,345 million in 2022 to Ps. 12,047 million in 2023, mainly reflecting an increase in costs due to higher sales volume, higher equipment leases, maintenance and an increase in salaries, wages and social security charges.
•Others segment: Cost of sales from Recycomb S.A.U. segment decreased Ps. 45 million, or 2.5%, from Ps. 1,826 million in 2022 to Ps. 1,781 million in 2023.
Gross profit
Due to the factors mentioned above, our gross profit decreased Ps. 16,142 million, or 13.2%, from Ps. 122,049 million in 2022 to Ps. 105,907 million in 2023. Our gross margin (gross profit divided by revenues and expressed as a percentage) was contracted by 192 basis points, from 27.0% in 2022 to 25.1% in 2023.
Selling and administrative expenses
Our selling and administrative expenses decreased Ps. 293 million, or 0.8%, from Ps. 38,959 million in 2022 to Ps. 38,666 million in 2023, mainly due to (1) a decrease in Taxes, duties, contributions, and commissions due to lower sales volume; (2) a decrease in Freight due to lower volume; and partially compensated by (3) an increase in Insurance, data processing and Fees and compensation for services.
Other gains and losses
Our other gains and losses decreased Ps. 9,624 million, or 91.3%, from Ps. 10,542 million in 2022 to Ps. 918 million in 2023, mainly due to the sale of a non-strategic property in Olavarría in 2022.
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Tax on bank accounts debits and credits
Our tax on bank accounts debits and credits increased Ps. 145 million, or 3.2%, from Ps. 4,532 million in 2022 to Ps. 4,677 million in 2023, related to the volume of monetary transactions carried out the respective fiscal year.
Financial results, net
Our total net financial cost decreased Ps. 8,772 million, from a loss of Ps. 54,837 million in 2022 to a loss of Ps. 46,065 million in 2023, principally due to (1) an increase in gain on net monetary position of Ps. 95,951 million; (2) a higher loss of Ps. 94,108 million from exchange rate differences; (3) a lower charge of Ps. 53,083 million from securities transactions; (4) a higher loss of Ps 44,095 million from interest on borrowings; and (5) a higher loss from other net financial income and expense of Ps. 2,059 million.
Our financial expenses decreased Ps. 6,284 million, or 7.9%, from Ps. 79,607 million in 2022 to Ps. 73,323 million in 2023, mainly due to a lower impact of Ps. 53,083 million from losses with securities transactions and a higher loss of Ps 44,095 million from interest on borrowings
Our financial income increased Ps. 645 million, or 12.7%, from Ps. 5,065 million for 2022 to Ps. 5,710 million for 2023.
Income tax expense
Our income tax expense decreased Ps. 20,899 million, or 73.0%, from Ps. 28,637 million in 2022 to Ps. 7,738 million in 2023. The effective tax rate was 44.4% in 2023 compared to 83.6% in 2022 mainly due to the impact of a valuation allowance of certain specific tax loss carryforwards recorded in 2022.
The following table presents our effective tax rate reconciliation for each year.
| For the year ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| (amounts in millions of Ps.) | |||||||||||
| Profit before income tax expense | 17,418.3 | 34,264.2 | |||||||||
| Statutory rate | 35 | % | 35 | % | |||||||
| Income tax at statutory rate | (6,096.4) | (11,992.5) | |||||||||
| Adjustments for calculation of the effective income tax: | |||||||||||
| Recovery of tax losses / Unrecognized tax losses | 1,063.3 | (13,965.6) | |||||||||
| Effects of the inflation adjustment for accounting and tax purposes | (2,979.0) | (2,571.9) | |||||||||
| Change in tax rate | (13.2) | 3.0 | |||||||||
| Other non-taxable income or non-deductible expense net | 287.7 | (110.4) | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | (7,737.7) | (28,637.4) | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | |||||||||||
| Current | (3,809.9) | (12,782.3) | |||||||||
| Deferred | (3,927.8) | (15,855.1) | |||||||||
| Total | (7,737.7) | (28,637.4) | |||||||||
Our current income tax decreased Ps. 8,972 million, or 70.2%, from Ps. 12,782 million in 2022 to Ps. 3,810 million in 2023, mainly explained by a lower profit before taxes.
Our deferred income tax decreased Ps. 11,927 million, from Ps. 15,855 million in 2022 to Ps. 3,928 million in 2023, due to the valuation allowance of specific tax loss carryforwards recorded in 2022, as previously mentioned.
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Net profit
As a result of the foregoing, our net profit increased Ps. 4,054 million, or 72.0%, from Ps. 5,627 million in 2022 to Ps. 9,681 million in 2023. Our net margin (net profit divided by revenues and expressed as a percentage) increased by 105 basis points, from 1.2% in 2022 to 2.3% in 2023.
Year Ended December 31, 2022, compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2021
The following table sets forth our statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for 2022 and 2021:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Variation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount | (%) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions of Ps., except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | 451,954.1 | 446,871.6 | 5,082.4 | 1.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | (329,905.1) | (305,630.5) | (24,274.6) | 7.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 122,049.0 | 141,241.1 | (19,192.1) | -13.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | (38,958.9) | (38,390.1) | (568.8) | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other gains and losses | 10,542.5 | 1,270.5 | 9,272.0 | 729.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of property, plant and equipment | - | (927.2) | 927.2 | -100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax on debits and credits to bank accounts | (4,531.8) | (4,503.7) | (28.1) | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance costs, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange rate differences | (23,103.5) | (9,988.9) | (13,114.6) | 131.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on net monetary position | 42,809.7 | 12,181.7 | 30,628.0 | 251.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financial income | 5,064.5 | 6,200.1 | (1,135.6) | -18.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financial expenses | (79,607.3) | (8,135.2) | (71,472.1) | 878.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Profit before taxes | 34,264.2 | 98,948.3 | (64,684.1) | -65.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | (12,782.3) | (40,269.3) | 27,487.0 | -68.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred | (15,855.1) | (20,195.5) | 4,340.4 | -21.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net profit | 5,626.8 | 38,483.5 | (32,856.8) | -85.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenues
Our revenues increased Ps. 5,082 million, or 1.1%, from Ps. 446,872 million in 2021 to Ps. 451,954 million in 2022, mainly due to the sales volume increase of 9.7%, 11.0%, 48.1% and 4.8% in our cement, masonry cement and lime segment, concrete segment, aggregates segment and railroad segment, respectively.
•Cement, masonry cement and lime segment: Revenues from our cement, masonry cement and lime segment, without considering the eliminations between segments, decreased Ps. 543 million, from Ps. 399,903 million in 2021 to Ps. 399,360 million in 2022, mainly due to an average sales price decrease of 8.9%, partially offset by an increase of 9.7% in sales volume.
•Concrete segment: Revenues from our concrete segment increased Ps. 5,898 million, from Ps. 32,301 million in 2021 to Ps. 38,199 million in 2022, mainly due to an increase of 11.0% in sales volume and an average sales price increase of 6.6%.
•Railroad segment: Revenues from our railroad segment, without considering the eliminations between segments, increased Ps. 111 million, from Ps. 36,274 million in 2021 to Ps. 36,384 million in 2022, mainly due to an increase of 4.8% in sales volume, driven by strong demand for building materials, offset by a decline of 4.3% in the average sales price.
•Aggregates segment: Revenues from our aggregates segment, without considering the eliminations between segments, increased Ps. 4,543 million, from Ps. 6,721 million in 2021 to Ps. 11,264 million in 2022, mainly due to an increase of 48.1% in sales volume and an average price increase of 13.2%.
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•Others segment: Revenues from Recycomb S.A.U., without considering the eliminations between segments, increased Ps. 139 million, from Ps. 2699 million in 2021 to Ps. 2838 million in 2022.
Cost of sales
Our cost of sales increased Ps. 24,275 million, or 7.9%, from Ps. 305,631 million for 2021 to Ps. 329,905 million for 2022, mostly as a consequence of the higher sales volume. The main contributors to our cost of sales increase during the period were (1) Ps. 9,482 million in thermal and electrical energy costs, due to higher sales volume and higher unitary costs. In 2022, thermal and electrical energy incidence in our unitary cost in U.S. dollars increased by 45% and 12% respectively; (2) Ps. 3,612 million in higher freight costs, principally due to higher sales volume and inflation (in 2022, incidence of freights in our unitary cost in U.S. dollars increased by 25%); and (3) a Ps. 4,403 million increase in depreciation. The following table sets forth the reconciliation of our production costs to our cost of sales for the years indicated:
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in millions of Ps.) | |||||||||||
| Purchases and production expenses for the year | 341,847.4 | 307,070.5 | |||||||||
| (+) Inventories at the beginning of the year | 71,465.5 | 70,025.5 | |||||||||
| (-) Inventories at the end of the year | 83,407.7 | 71,465.5 | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 329,905.1 | 305,630.5 | |||||||||
The cost of sales of our segments is set forth below, eliminations between segments are not considered:
•Cement, masonry cement and lime segment: Cost of sales from our cement, masonry cement and lime segment, without considering the eliminations between segments, increased Ps. 20,318 million, or 8.0%, from Ps. 254,056 million in 2021 to Ps. 274,374 million in 2022. This increase in cost of sales was mainly due to (1) higher thermal and electrical energy costs as a consequence of increased sales volume and higher unitary costs in US dollars; (2) an increase in depreciation due to the completion of L’Amalí’s expansion project; (3) higher freight costs mainly due to increased outbound and inbound transportation needs.
•Concrete segment: Cost of sales from our concrete segment, without considering the eliminations between segments, increased Ps. 3,575 million, or 10.3%, from Ps. 34,599 million in 2021 to Ps. 38,174 million in 2022, mainly reflecting an increase in costs due to higher sales volume and higher costs related to salaries, wages and social security charges.
•Railroad segment: Cost of sales from our railroad segment increased Ps. 2272 million, or 5.8%, from Ps. 39,005 million in 2021 to Ps. 41,277 million in 2022, mainly impacted by higher transported volume coupled with higher depreciation, maintenance, contractors and fuel costs.
•Aggregates segment: Cost of sales from our aggregates segment increased Ps. 3,172 million, or 44.2%, from Ps. 7,173 million in 2021 to Ps. 10,345 million in 2022, mainly reflecting an increase in costs due to higher sales volume, higher equipment leases and an increase in salaries, wages and social security charges.
•Others segment: Cost of sales from Recycomb S.A.U. segment increased Ps. 3 million, or 0.2%, from Ps. 1,823 million in 2021 to Ps. 1,826 million in 2022.
Gross profit
Due to the factors mentioned above, our gross profit decreased Ps.19,192 million, or 13.6%, from Ps. 141,241 million in 2021 to Ps. 122,049 million in 2022. Our gross margin (gross profit divided by revenues and expressed as a percentage) was contracted by 460 basis points, from 31.6% in 2021 to 27.0% in 2022.
Selling and administrative expenses
Our selling and administrative expenses increased Ps. 569 million, or 1.5%, from Ps. 38,390 million in 2021 to Ps. 38,959 million in 2022, mainly due to (1) an increase in salaries, wages and social security charges; (2) an increase in
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transport and travel expenses; and (3) an increase in depreciation. However, this was partially offset by the recognition of an allowance for doubtful receivables in the railroad segment in 2021, which affected the comparison.
Other gains and losses
Our other gains and losses increased Ps. 9,272 million, or 729.8%, from Ps. 1271 million in 2021 to Ps. 10,543 million in 2022, mainly due to the sale of a non-strategic property in Olavarría.
Tax on bank accounts debits and credits
Our tax on bank accounts debits and credits increased Ps. 28 million, or 0.6%, from Ps. 4,504 million in 2021 to Ps. 4,532 million in 2022, related to the volume of monetary transactions carried out the respective fiscal year.
Financial results, net
Our financial results decreased Ps. 55,094 million, from a gain of Ps. 258 million in 2021 to a loss of Ps. 54,837 million in 2022, principally due to (1) a loss of Ps. 54,919 million from securities transactions; (2) an increase in gain on net monetary position of Ps. 30,628 million; (3) a higher loss of Ps. 13,115 million from exchange rate differences; and (4) a lower net financial income and expense of Ps. 17,688 million.
Our financial expenses increased Ps. 71,472 million, or 878.6%, from Ps. 8,135 million in 2021 to Ps. 79,607 million in 2022, mainly due to a loss of Ps. 54,919 million from securities transactions of and an increase in interest expenses of Ps. 14,774 million.
Our financial income decreased Ps. 1,136 million, or 18.3%, from Ps. 6,200 million for 2021 to Ps. 5,065 million for 2022.
Income tax expense
Our income tax expense decreased Ps. 31,827 million, or 52.6%, from Ps. 60,465 million in 2021 to Ps. 28,637 million in 2022. The effective tax rate was 83.6% in 2022 compared to 61.1% in 2021.
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The following table presents our effective tax rate reconciliation for each year.
| For the year ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (amounts in millions of Ps.) | |||||||||||
| Profit from continuing operations before income tax expense | 34,264.2 | 98,948.3 | |||||||||
| Statutory rate | 35 | % | 35 | % | |||||||
| Income tax at statutory rate | (11,992.5) | (34,631.9) | |||||||||
| Adjustments for calculation of the effective income tax: | |||||||||||
| Allowance of tax loss carryforwards | (13,965.6) | (1,438.6) | |||||||||
| Effect of the inflation adjustment for accounting and tax purposes | (2,571.9) | (1,029.7) | |||||||||
| Change in tax rate (1) | 3.0 | (23,401.9) | |||||||||
| Other non-taxable income or non-deductible expense net | (110.4) | 37.3 | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | (28,637.4) | (60,464.8) | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | |||||||||||
| Current | (12,782.3) | (40,269.3) | |||||||||
| Deferred | (15,855.1) | (20,195.5) | |||||||||
| Total | (28,637.4) | (60,464.8) | |||||||||
________________
(1)Law 27,260 modifies: (i) the corporate tax rate for Argentine entities, by applying a sliding scale from 25% to 35%, depending on the accumulated net income obtained during the given year; and (ii) regardless of the applicable corporate tax rate, in all cases, dividends or profits will be levied at a 7% tax rate.
Our current income tax decreased Ps. 27,487 million, or 68.3%, from Ps. 40,269 million in 2021 to Ps. 12,782 million in 2022, mainly explained by the impact of accelerated depreciation of mining assets related to L'Amalí's second line as stated in Law 24,196, net of valuation allowance of the specific tax loss carryforwards recorded in 2022.
Our deferred income tax decreased Ps. 4,340 million, from Ps. 20,195 million in 2021 to Ps. 15,855 million in 2022, mainly due to the impact of the change in tax rate in 2021.
Net profit
As a result of the foregoing, our net profit decreased Ps. 32,857 million, or 85.4%, from Ps. 38,483 million in 2021 to Ps. 5,627 million in 2022. Our net margin (net profit divided by revenues and expressed as a percentage) decreased by 737 basis points, from 8.6% in 2021 to 1.2% in 2022, mainly explained by the extraordinary loss from securities transactions.
B.Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our financial condition and liquidity is and will be influenced by a variety of factors, including:
•our ability to generate cash flows from our operations;
•the level of our outstanding indebtedness and the interest that we are obligated to pay on our indebtedness, which affect our net financial expenses;
•prevailing domestic and international interest rates, which affect our debt service requirements; and
•our capital expenditure requirements, which consist primarily of investments in our operations, maintenance, equipment and plant facilities.
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Our principal cash requirements consist of the following:
•working capital requirements;
•the servicing of our indebtedness; and
•capital expenditures related to investments in our operations, maintenance, equipment and plant facilities.
During 2023, we used cash flow generated by our continuing operations, primarily for capital expenditures, working capital needs, repayment of borrowings and dividends payments. As of December 31, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents (defined as cash and banks and short-term investments as sated in Note 29 to our consolidated financial statements) was Ps. 6,734 million.
On January 27, 2023, our board of directors approved the first issuance of simple corporate bonds not convertible into shares under our Global Corporate Bond Issuance Program for up to US$150.0 million which was approved by the general shareholders’ meeting held on April 16, 2020, the terms and conditions of which were approved by our board of directors at its meeting held on the same day.
On February 22, 2023, the company issued its Class 1 Corporate Bonds, which resulted in a face value of Ps. 25,636.3 million (equivalent to US$133.3 million), bearing interest at BADLAR + 2% and maturing within 18 months.
On April 25, 2023, the general shareholders’ meeting approved the increase in the amount of our Global Corporate Bond Issuance Program to US$500.000 million.
On June 21, 2023, the company issued its Class 2 Corporate Bonds, which resulted in a face value of US$71.7 million, bearing interest at 6.50% and maturing within 30 months. The issue was approved by our board of directors on June 9, 2023.
On September 11, 2023, the company issued its Class 3 Corporate Bonds, which resulted in a face value of US$55 million, bearing interest at 7.49% and maturing within 30 months. The issue was approved by our board of directors on August 31, 2023.
On November 2, 2023, the company issued its Class 4 Corporate Bonds, which resulted in a face value of US$10 million, bearing interest at 6% and maturing within 30 months. The issue was approved by our board of directors on October 25, 2023.
We believe that our cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash from operations and borrowings that we believe are available to us, will be adequate to meet our capital expenditure requirements and liquidity needs at least for the next 12 months. We implement liquidity risk management practices, keeping cash and other liquid instruments, as well as available funds. We may require additional capital to meet our long-term liquidity objectives and future growth requirements. Although we believe that we have adequate sources of liquidity for the forthcoming years (see “Note 24 to our audited consolidated financial statements”), weaker economic conditions could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if we are unable to access the capital markets to finance our operations in the future, this could adversely affect our ability to obtain additional capital to grow our business.
Capital Resources
After the completion of our capacity expansion project with the second line of L'Amalí, we significantly reduced our capital expenditures needs. During 2023, we principally invested in maintenance capital expenditures, which were financed mainly from our cash of operations and new debt financings.
Regarding future commitments, we have no other material investment plans other than the one related to the legal requirement of adjusting our cement bags to the 25 kilograms format. See "Item 3.D. Compliance with Resolution 54/2018 of the Secretary of Commerce could adversely affect our operations and profitability.”
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Cash Flows
The table below sets forth our cash flows from continuing operating activities, continuing investing activities and continuing financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions of Ps.) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 15,293.0 | 20,052.4 | 40,063.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash generated by operating activities | 85,030.2 | 97,663.8 | 91,292.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (35,825.4) | (14,688.9) | (53,654.3) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (41,085.6) | (77,172.4) | (53,135.7) | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of restating in constant currency of cash and cash equivalents | (23,218.9) | (11,272.2) | (11,312.9) | ||||||||||||||
| Effects of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents in foreign currency | 6,540.8 | 710.3 | 6,799.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | 6,734.2 | 15,293.0 | 20,052.5 | ||||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2023
In 2023, our cash resulting from profit before tax, adjusted to reconcile net profit to net cash generated by operating activities was Ps. 76,719 million. The sum of changes generated in operating assets and liabilities were Ps. 8,312 million in 2023, which was mainly due to an increase in trade payables of Ps 45,212, an increase in other liabilities of Ps 7,068, and an increase in salaries and social security contributions of Ps 6,742 and, partially offset by cash flows of a Ps. 5,533 million in income tax paid and an increase of Ps. 29,838 million from trade accounts and other receivables, and an increase in inventories for Ps. 14,575 million. In 2023, net cash provided by operating activities amounted to Ps. 85,030 million.
Our net cash flow used in investing activities was Ps. 35,825 million in 2023, mainly as a result of our acquisition of property, plant and equipment of Ps. 36,053 million.
Our net cash flow used in financing activities was Ps. 41,086 million in 2023, primarily due to dividend payments of Ps. 86,845 million, interest paid to service our debt of Ps. 54,374 million, partially offset by net proceeds from borrowings of Ps. 101,094 million.
Our cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations decreased by Ps. 8,559 million in 2023.
Year Ended December 31, 2022
In 2022, our cash resulting from profit before tax, adjusted to reconcile net profit to net cash generated by operating activities was Ps. 113,032 million. The sum of changes used in operating assets and liabilities were Ps. 15,367 million in 2022, which was mainly due to cash flows of Ps. 33,116 million in income tax paid and an increase of Ps. 32,149 million from trade accounts and other receivables, an increase in inventories for Ps. 9,859 million, partially offset by a Ps. 34,765 million from an increase in trade account payables. In 2022, net cash provided by operating activities of Ps. 97,664 million.
Our net cash flow used in investing activities was Ps. 14,689 million in 2022, mainly as a result of our acquisition of property, plant and equipment of Ps. 31,774 million, partially offset by Ps. 10,264 million from proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and Ps. 7,459 million from redemption of investments.
Our net cash flow used in financing activities was Ps. 77,172 million in 2022, primarily due to dividend payments of Ps. 67,905 million, interest paid to service our debt of Ps. 14,810 million and repurchase of common stock for Ps. 5,598 million, partially offset by net proceeds from borrowings of Ps. 12,022 million.
Our cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations decreased by Ps. 4,759 million in 2022.
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Year Ended December 31, 2021
In 2021, our cash resulting from profit before tax, adjusted to reconcile net profit to net cash generated by operating activities was Ps. 130,524 million. The sum of changes used in continuing operating assets and liabilities were Ps. 39,231 million in 2021, which was mainly due to cash flows of Ps. 38,089 million in income tax paid and an increase of Ps. 9,049 million from trade account receivables, partially offset by a Ps. 4,897 million from an increase in trade account payables. In 2021, net cash provided by operating activities of Ps. 91,293 million.
Our net cash flow used in investing activities was Ps. 53,654 million in 2021, mainly as a result of our acquisition of property, plant and equipment, related to the company expansion project of Ps. 42,996 million.
Our net cash flow used in financing activities was Ps. 53,136 million in 2021, due to repayment of borrowings of Ps.41,710 million, repurchase of common stock for Ps. 14,481 million and interest paid to service our debt of Ps. 3,459 million, partially offset by proceeds from borrowings of Ps. 7,586 million.
Our cash and cash equivalents of operations decreased by Ps. 20,011 million in 2021.
Indebtedness and Financing Strategy
As of December 31, 2023, our total outstanding consolidated borrowings were Ps. 147,370 million, consisting of Ps. 37,225 million of short-term borrowings, including current portion of long-term borrowings (or 25% of our total borrowings) and Ps. 110,146 million of long-term borrowings (or 75% of our total borrowings).
Our foreign currency-denominated consolidated borrowings as of December 31, 2023, were Ps. 111,359 million (or 76% of our total borrowings), all of which were denominated in U.S. dollars. Our peso-denominated borrowings were Ps. 36,011 million (or 24% of our total borrowings).
As of December 31, 2023, 24% of the company's consolidated loans accrued interest at a variable rate and accrued interest based on BADLAR, as it is debt in pesos. The remaining 76% accrues interest at a fixed rate, the most significant portion of which in foreign currency.
The following tables sets forth selected information with respect to our principal outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2023 (expressed in thousands of Ps.):
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| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ref. | Company | Rate | Last maturity date | Amount | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings in foreign currency - US$ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Dubai) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | 3-Month Libor + 7.50% | Nov-23 | - | 2,148,385 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Dubai) | (1) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | 3-Month Libor + 8.00% | Jul-24 | - | 31,502,232 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | 17.00% | Jun-24 | 37,281 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | 18.00% | Jul-24 | 88,173 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | 36.00% | May-23 | 6,489 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | 15.00% | May-23 | 66,664 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | 19.00% | Mar-23 | 8,875 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | 37.00% | Feb-23 | 6,016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | 15.00% | Feb-23 | 15,397 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | 13.50% | Feb-23 | 133,981 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowings in foreign currency | 125,454 | 33,888,039 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings in local currency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank overdrafts | (3) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | 102.56% | Jan-24 | 2,304,780 | 3,863,785 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank overdrafts | (3) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | 97.83% | Jan-24 | 4,645,464 | 3,000,735 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank overdrafts | (4) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | 52.00% | Jan-23 | - | 9,404,983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank overdrafts | (3) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | 69.00% | Jan-23 | - | 6,305,600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities-guaranteed borrowing | (5) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | 64.99% | Jan-23 | - | 8,217,356 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowings in local currency | 6,950,244 | 30,792,459 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ref. | Company | Rate | Last maturity date | Amount | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate notes - US$ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serie – Class 2 | (6) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | 6.50% | Dec-25 | 57,851,670 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serie – Class 3 | (6) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | 7.49% | Mar-26 | 45,262,452 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serie – Class 4 | (6) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | 6.00% | Mar-26 | 8,119,417 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total corporate bonds in foreing currency | 111,233,539 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ref. | Company | Rate | Last maturity date | Amount | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate notes - Ps. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serie – Class 1 | (7) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | BADLAR+2% | Aug-24 | 29,061,039 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total corporate bonds in local currency | 29,061,039 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 147,370,276 | 64,680,498 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2023, the average maturity of our indebtedness was 1.7 years. Our financing strategy over the next years principally involves minimizing the firm cost of capital, maintaining an adequate indebtedness level with a debt maturity profile compatible with our anticipated cash flow generation and anticipated capital expenditures.
As of December 31, 2023 we do not have financial or nonfinancial covenants in any of our outstanding borrowings.
The following is a description of our material indebtedness as of the date of this annual report.
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(1)In April 2022, Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. entered into a loan agreement abroad with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited for US$ 56 million, the principal payments of which mature in three equal installments in January, April, and July 2024. The loan is guaranteed by Intercement Participações S.A. up to 51% of its amount. Interest accrues at Libor plus 8% payable on a quarterly basis. On October 4, 2023, the Group prepaid the balance owed on the loan with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China for a total amount of US$ 48,208 thousand, including interest.
(2)During the fiscal year 2023 and 2022, Ferrosur Roca S.A. entered into several contracts in US dollars with Banco Patagonia, accruing interest at a fixed rate.
(3)As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Group carries bank overdrafts in the amount of Ps. 6,950,244 and Ps. 13,170,120, respectively. Bank overdrafts existing at the beginning of the year were canceled regularly during fiscal year 2023.
(4)In addition, on July 7, 2022, the company entered into a loan agreement with HSBC Bank Argentina S.A. for Ps. 3,000 million maturing in a term of 180 days, accruing interest at a fixed annual rate of 52%. As of December 31, 2023, it is canceled.
(5)As of December 31, 2022, Loma Negra entered into fundraising agreements through securities-guaranteed borrowings, using its own shares as guarantee at an annual nominal average rate of 64.99%, which has been canceled during fiscal year 2023.
(6)On June 21, 2023, September 11, 2023 and November 2, 2023, the company issued, under its Global Corporate Bond Issuance Program for up to US$ 500 million (amended from US$150 to US$500 million in April 2023), its Class 2, 3 and 4 Corporate Bonds in dollars for a total amount of US$71,723 thousand, US$55,000 thousand and US$10,000 thousand, with an interest rate of 6.5 %, 7.49% and 6.00%, and maturing on December 21, 2025, March 11, 2026 and May 2, 2026, respectively. Interest is paid semiannually. The issuance of these corporate bonds in foreign currency has been carried out within the scope of the local public offering, without intervention of the single and free exchange market ("MULC"). These debts have been valued at their amortized cost in foreign currency, converting the resulting amounts into local currency at the official selling exchange rate effective at the end of the reporting period.
(7)On February 22, 2023, the company issued, under its Global Corporate Bond Issuance Program for up US$ 500 million for up to US$ 500 million (amended from US$150 to US$500 million in April 2023), its Class 1 Corporate Bonds for a total amount of Ps. 25,636.3 million, with an interest rate BADLAR + 2.0%, principal maturity at 18 months and payments quarterly interest.
Contractual Commitments
The following table presents information relating to our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023:
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions of Ps.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial borrowings (1) | 147,370.28 | 37,224.73 | 110,145.54 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | 57,255.24 | 57,255.24 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxes payable | 2,951.04 | 2,951.04 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and social security contributions | 9,400.72 | 8,874.04 | 526.68 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | 3,987.36 | 1,214.56 | 2,022.09 | 750.72 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Severance payment plans | 408.68 | 301.58 | 102.07 | 5.03 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other debts(2) | 5,527.01 | 5,156.19 | - | - | 370.81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 226,900.33 | 112,977.39 | 112,796.38 | 755.75 | 370.81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
________________
(1)“See – Note 24 of our audited consolidated statements for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022”.
(2)Corresponds to our internal information.
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Selected Ratios
Comparative ratios as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
Liquidity (1) | 1.09 | 0.97 | 1.15 | ||||||||||||||
Solvency (2) | 0.85 | 1.33 | 2.24 | ||||||||||||||
Non-current assets to total assets ratio (3) | 0.80 | 0.80 | 0.82 | ||||||||||||||
Profitability (4) | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.09 | ||||||||||||||
(1)Current assets / Current liabilities
(2)Shareholder’s equity / Total liabilities
(3)Non-current assets / Total assets
(4)Net profit / Average shareholder’s equity
Supply Contracts
In 2007, we entered into a 15-year agreement with Siderar S.A.I.C., Argentina’s largest steel company, for the supply of ground granulated blast-furnace slag, which was automatically renewed in 2022 for an additional period of 5 years.
We purchase various sources of energy from several suppliers, traders and distributors of natural gas. These suppliers ensure that we have the necessary levels of energy to operate and give us flexibility to purchase additional energy, if needed. None of these purchase orders represents a material amount of our total energy supply.
In 2016, we entered into 20-year contract with Genneia S.A. and in 2018 we entered into a 20-year contract with Aluar Aluminio Argentino S.A.I.C., for the provision of wind-sourced electric power commencing on January 1, 2018 and in February 1, 2019 (respectively), to ensure compliance with the obligations imposed by Law No. 26,190 and Law No. 27,191, and related regulations, whose main objective is to reduce the use of fossil energy by increasing the use of renewable energy for industrial users in Argentina commencing in 2018. With these contracts, we currently exceed the requirements of the Law No. 27,191, reaching approximately 35.7% of renewable energy in the energy matrix.
C.Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
Intellectual Property
As of December 31, 2023, Loma Negra had 109 registered trademarks 1 of which is pending trademark application for renewal with the Argentine National Intellectual Property Institute ("INPI" (Instituto Nacional de la Propiedad Industrial)). Furthermore, Loma Negra owns one pending trademark applications with the INPI. In addition, Recycomb has two registrations, Ferrosur Roca has one and the Fundación Loma Negra has five registrations. There are no pending trademarks of these companies. We do not own any registered patents, industrial models or designs.
We are required to renew these trademark registrations when they expire at the end of their respective terms. Under the Argentine Trade and Service Marks Law No. 22,362, the term of duration of a registered trademark is 10 years from its issue date, and a trademark may be indefinitely renewed for equal periods thereafter if, within the five-year period prior to each expiration, the trademark was used in the marketing of a product, in the rendering of a service or as the designation of an activity. We have no pending litigation related to trademark matters. We have also registered our trademarks in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
As of December 31, 2023, Loma Negra has 9 oppositions filed against third parties’ trademarks which are currently being resolved under the administrative opposition proceedings at INPI. In addition, Loma Negra is owner of 13 internet domains registered at the Network Information Center Argentina (NIC).
D.Trend Information
We believe that the macroeconomic environment and the trends in the Argentine economy have affected and will, for the foreseeable future, continue to affect our results of operations and profitability. Our continued success and
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ability to increase our value to our shareholders will depend upon, among other factors, economic growth in Argentina. This analysis should be read in conjunction with “Item 5-A”— Operating Results — Principal factors Affecting Our Results of Operations.”
In 2023 the Argentine economy faced notable challenges. A severe drought affected the agricultural sector leading to considerable export and tax revenue losses, consequently contributing to a federal budget deficit. These difficulties were exacerbated by the electoral developments within the year.
The national consumer price index published by INDEC accumulated 211.4% in 2023 (as compared to 94.80% in 2022), while the Argentine peso experienced a depreciation rate of 356.44% against the US Dollar.
Moreover, on March 1, 2024, the BCRA recorded a low level of U.S dollars reserves, amounting to US$27.33 billion. Despite a surge in reserves at the end of 2022 thanks to the strong contribution of the "soybean dollar" program for more than US$7,000 million, reserves have been constrained by the commercial commitments and debt payments that Argentina has to meet.
Our results of operations and capital resources may be adversely affected by higher costs of electricity or unavailability or shortages of electricity, or an interruption in energy supplies as well as, increased freight costs. For additional information, please see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors— Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry”
Recent political changes and the initial policy actions taken by the new government to stabilize the macroeconomic landscape and curtail public expenditure have led to a contraction in activity levels and a dip in private consumption. Consequently, there has been a downturn in cement demand during the first quarter of 2024.
The trajectory of the construction sector, and accordingly, our company's growth, is contingent upon the effectiveness of the Milei administration's efforts to normalize critical economic factors, curb inflation, and create an environment that fosters economic development. The realization of such conditions would likely foster a resumption in the growth of construction activity.
E.Critical Accounting Estimates
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A.Directors and Senior Management
Our board of directors (Órgano de Administración) and our board of executive officers (Directors) are responsible for operating our business.
Board of Directors
Our by-laws provide that our board of directors consists of a minimum of three and up to fourteen members. Our board of directors is the decision-making body responsible for, among other things, determining policies and guidelines for its business. Our board of directors also supervises its board of executive officers and monitors the implementation of the policies and guidelines that are established from time to time by our board of directors.
The members of our board of directors are elected at general shareholders’ meetings for one fiscal year and are eligible for reelection. The shareholders’ meeting may also appoint alternate members as substitutes for absent or unavailable members. The terms of all of our current members expire in the next fiscal year and once the next annual shareholders’ meeting is held in 2025. Our board of directors has a president and in his absence, the vice president presides. The president of the board of directors, or the vice president in his or her absence, is the legal representative of Loma Negra. There are no restrictions in our by-laws establishing a minimum age for directors for retirement or non-retirement under an age limit requirement or requiring directors to be our shareholders.
Our board of directors is required to meet as often as required by the interests of our company and at least on a quarterly basis. The president or his alternate may, or at the request of any director shall, call for an extraordinary meeting of the board of directors at any time; provided that if such meeting is not called by the president or his alternate, it could be
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called by any other director. Decisions of our board of directors require a quorum of an absolute majority of members present physically or by any simultaneous electronic media including sounds and images, which permit to clearly determine the identity of the directors participating through electronic media in accordance with the applicable law, and any action may be taken by the affirmative vote of an absolute majority of those that are entitled to vote on such action. In the case of a tie, the vote of the president of the board of directors decides.
The following table lists the current members of our board of directors appointed by the ordinary shareholders' meeting held on April 25, 2024:
| Name | Age | Position | Independent | Years as a Board Member as of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paulo Diniz | 66 | President | No | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sergio Damián Faifman | 49 | Vice-President | No | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Livio Hagime Kuze | 44 | Director | No | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Luiz Klecz | 53 | Director | No | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Javier Enrique Patron | 61 | Director | No | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carlos Boero Hughes | 58 | Director | Yes | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Laura Gé | 56 | Director | Yes | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sergio Daniel Alonso | 61 | Director | Yes | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cesar Javier Graña | 53 | Director | Yes | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Brief descriptions of the biographical information of the members of our board of directors are presented below. As per section 256 of Argentine General Companies Law, the special address of our current directors is Cecilia Grierson 355, 4th Floor, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The majority of our directors reside in Argentina.
Paulo Diniz. Mr. Diniz was appointed as President of our board of directors in April 2023, and he participates as member of our board of directors since July 2017. Since 2019, Mr. Diniz chairs the Results, Finance and Strategy Committee and he was appointed in April 2023 as member of the People and Governance Committee of Loma Negra. Mr. Diniz is currently Chief Executive Officer of InterCement Participações, S.A., a leading global cement player, our controlling shareholder. Mr. Diniz is also a member of the board of directors of InterCement Brasil S.A. Paulo has over thirty years of experience in finance and general management, in companies in Brazil and abroad, such as: Amyris, Inc., Bunge Limited, Carrier Corporation, Cosan S.A., F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG and Telecom Italia. Mr. Diniz received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Politécnica-USP in São Paulo, a master’s degree in Business Administration from IMD in Switzerland, and a specialization in human resources from INSEAD in France.
Sergio Damián Faifman. Mr. Faifman was appointed as member of our board of directors in August 2012. He has also acted as Vice-President of our board of directors and CEO since November 2016. In addition, Mr. Faifman also currently serves as president of the Boards of Directors of Ferrosur Roca S.A., Cofesur S.A.U. and Recycomb S.A.U., and Vice-President of Loma Negra. Also, he is currently second Vice-President of FICEM (Inter-American Cement Federation) which in turn is member of the GCCA. Mr. Faifman is also a Board member and a member of the Strategy and Finance Committee of InterCement Brasil S.A. (ICB). In May 2019, Mr. Faifman was appointed Vice-President of the National Association of Portland Cement Producers and the Argentine Institute of Portland Cement. Mr. Faifman joined our company in November 1994 and, since then, has held a number of positions, including Logistics and Supply Director from June 2015 until November 2016 and Chief Financial Officer between August 2012 and June 2015. Mr. Faifman has also served as Superintendent of Corporate Comptroller at InterCement Brasil from September 2010 until August 2012 and as Comptroller and Tax Manager at Loma Negra from May 2006 until September 2010. Mr. Faifman received a bachelor’s degree in Public Accountancy from Universidad de Buenos Aires in 1997 and an MBA from Universidad del CEMA in 2002. Currently, he is a member of the following Loma Negra’s Committees: Ethics and Compliance Committee, People and Governance Committee, and Results, Finance and Strategy Committee. Also, he is President of the board of Loma Negra’s Foundation.
Javier Enrique Patron. Mr. Patrón joined Marval O’Farrell Mairal (the largest law firm in Argentina and a market leader at both local and Latin American level) in 1992 and he has been a partner since 1997. He leads the employment litigation sector and specializes in providing legal support to international clients doing business in Argentina. He currently chairs the firm’s labor and employment law department and has been managing partner since 2015. He
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graduated as a lawyer from the Museo Social Argentino University in 1988, where he also worked as an assistant professor in Labor and Social Security Law until 2008. Furthermore, he has also worked as assistant professor at the Universidad de Buenos Aires from 1988 to 2008. Ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners Latin America, he is listed as “Leading Lawyer” in Legal 500 and recommended in the Argentina Labor section of Who’s Who Legal & LL250. Mr. Patron also won the LACCA Thought Leader award in Labor Law in 2021 and is listed in the “LACCA Approved 2021” guide. He has also written numerous articles in well-known international publications and contributed to the following books: “The International Law Review” and “The International Employment Law.” In April 2023 he was appointed member of Loma Negra’s Ethics and Compliance Committee and he chairs the Risks and Reputational Committee of Loma Negra.
Livio Hagime Kuze. Mr. Kuze was appointed CEO of InterCement Brasil S.A. in April 2021, holding various positions on the board of directors of such company since 2019, serving also as member of the Ethic and Compliance Committee. In 2001 he graduated in Business Administration from the FGV EAESP – Fundação Getulio Vargas’s São Paulo School of Business Administration. He also took specialization courses at the following institutions: INSEAD – Strategy and Leadership (2012), University of Pennsylvania – Finance (2012), University of Chicago – Corporate Finance (2014) and MIT – Digital Transformation (2021). Mr. Kuze previously worked at the following companies: MOVER Participações, Vexia, CPFL Energia, Alpargatas S.A., MasterCard Advisors, Santista S.A., Unibanco and A.T.Kearney. Currently, Mr. Kuze sits on the board of Grupo CCR – Companhia de Concessões Rodoviárias, is Administrator at COMICAN – Companhia de Mineração Candiota, EcoProcessa—Tratamento de Resíduos LTDA. and NeoGera Investimentos em Inovação Ltda and is Director of Barra Grande Participações S.A. Machadinho Participações S.A., Estreito Participações S.A., InterCement Atividades Imobiliárias S.A. and Instituto Intercement. In August 2021 he was appointed a member of Loma Negra’s board of directors and he is also member of the Ethics and Compliance Committee and the Results, Finance and Strategy Committee.
Luiz Klecz. Mr. Klecz held a position as director of the company between 2017 and 2018. He was appointed again as a member of our board of directors in April 2019 until September 2021. Mr. Klecz was also a member of our board from 2006 to 2008 and Director of InterCement Austria Holding GmbH from 2013 to 2015. He is a member of the board of directors of Intercement Brasil S.A. since 2021, where he started as Head of the Legal Department of InterCement Brasil in 2002, and between 2005 and 2008 he was also Legal Director of Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. and its subsidiaries. Since 2011, he is the General Counsel of the InterCement group. Mr. Klecz received a bachelor’s degree in Law from Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, in 1993. He also completed an MBA program that began at Universidad de CEMA in Buenos Aires and completed his credits in Insper in São Paulo in 2009. In April 2023 he was appointed member of Loma Negra’s board of directors and a member of the the Risks and Reputational Committee and chairman of the Ethics and Compliance Committee of Loma Negra.
Carlos Boero Hughes. Mr. Boero was appointed as a member of our board of directors in July 2017. Mr. Boero Hughes has served as corporate Chief Financial Officer of Adecoagro SA, a Luxembourg incorporated company with operations in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. He began working at Adecoagro in August 2008 overseeing, among other responsibilities, the company´s finance and administrative departments. He is also part of the Strategy and ESG Committees (contributing with his solid experience in governance since Adecoagro is a NYSE listed company since 2011). From 2003 to 2008, he served as regional Chief Financial Officer and local co-CEO of Noble Group. From 2000 to 2003 he served as Relationship Manager of Food, Retail and Agrobusiness at Citibank and from 1997 to 2000 as project manager at Citibank. From 1996 to 1997 he was Public Relations Manager at Banco Privado de Inversiones and from 1990 to 1996 he was Commercial Manager of Carlos Romano Boero. Mr. Boero Hughes received a bachelor’s degree in Administration from Universidad de Buenos Aires in Argentina in 1989, an MBA from Universidad Catolica de Argentina in 2001 and has also completed an Executive Program at INSEAD, France, in 2007. Also, he is a member of the Audit Committee and the Results, Finance and Strategy Committee and he is board member of Loma Negra’s Foundation.
Laura Gé. Mrs. Laura Gé was appointed as member of our board of directors and member of the Audit Committee and the Risks and Reputational Committee of Loma Negra in April 2023. She is also member of the board of directors of Banco Santander in Argentina, Farmacity S.A., Stein Holding Group LLC, and Austral Participacoes in Brazil (nominated by the IFC). She also serves as from 2016 as Senior Executive Advisor of Grupo Sancor Seguros and Advisor of the board of directors of Wiener Lab S.A. She has more than 10 years of experience in management consulting, having led the Buenos Aires and Chile offices of Integration Consulting and having served as manager at Hermes Management Consulting and the consultancy firm The Boston Consulting Group. She served as CEO of the outdoor advertising company MECA and she was a member of the Executive Committee at CIMECO, a holding owning Los Andes de Mendoza and La Voz del Interior newspapers and serving as board member of these two companies. She served as CEO of the Sunday magazine Rumbos, included in most of the newspapers published in the interior of Argentina. She also has experience in Venture Capital and Private Equity funds, having served as Director of Pegasus Capital and manager of I5
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(part of Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst group), among others. Mrs. Laura Gé is a Certified Public Accountant graduated with honors from Universidad de Buenos Aires and she obtained an MBA from Harvard Business School, where she also graduated with honors. She is a leader at the Corporate Governance Group from IDEA and she performed as member of the organizational committee of several Conferences and the Management Experience event of such entity. She is a member of the Women Corporate Directors (WCD), the Consultancy Committee of LIDE Argentina and a member of the staff of the post-graduate professors at the Administration and Social Sciences Faculty of the University ORT in Uruguay, where she lectures on corporate governance.
Sergio Daniel Alonso. Mr. Alonso was appointed as a Member of our board of directors in July 2017. Mr. Alonso is also a Member of the Board of Arcos Dorados (ARCO/NYSE) -the largest independent McDonald´s Master Franchisee globally- since 2008. He has also served as Chief Executive Director of Arcos Dorados between 2015 and 2019. From 2008 to 2015, Mr. Alonso was Chief Operating Officer, and from 2003 to 2008 he was President of McDonald’s Brazil. Arcos Dorados -the largest private provider of First Employment opportunities in Latin America- has been recognized several times as one of the Top Companies to Work For, according to Great Place to Work (GPTW) Institute. During his tenure in McDonald’s Brazil, he was also President of the Instituto Ronald McDonald, an NGO dedicated to Youth Cancer with active involvement in Public Policies and Fund Raising. Between 1996 and 1999 Mr. Alonso was Director of Commercial Operations for Renault Argentina. Mr. Alonso received a degree as a Certified Public Accountant from Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mr. Alonso has completed the Corporate Director Certification Program at Harvard Business School. Mr. Alonso is a member of the Board of Directors of Universidad Austral de Argentina, where he also serves as Chariman of the Audit and finance Committe Also, Mr. Alonso serves as Board Member of Loma Negra’s Foundation and is a member of Loma Negra’s Ethics and Compliance Committee, People and Governance Committee and also chairs the Audit Committee and the People and Governance Committee
César Javier Graña. Mr. Graña was appointed as a member of our board of directors in April 2019. He obtained a Licentiate Degree in Economics from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina in 1994, a Master in Finance from Centro de Estudios Macroeconómicos Argentinos (CEMA) in 1995 and a MBA from Harvard University in 2000. Mr. Graña is a Partner in the Strategic Advisory Group at PJT Partners. At PJT Partners Mr. Graña leads the Latin American practice advising clients on strategic transactions and on shareholders matters including, among others, vote campaigns and ESG. Prior to joining PJT Partners, Mr. Graña was a Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking for LatAm ex-Brazil at ItauBBA, the investment banking arm of ItauUnibanco from 2013 until 2019. Before joining ItauBBA Mr. Graña spent 13 years at Morgan Stanley in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group in New York, working on a broad range of public and private transactions in the healthcare sector. During his last year at Morgan Stanley, he was part of Morgan Stanley’s Latin American Group leading the M&A effort in the region. Before, from 1996 to 1998 he was associate of the Investment Banking Division of Deutsche Morgan Grenfell and, previously, he was analyst of the capital markets division of Banco Rio de la Plata S.A. Mr. Graña serves as board member at Loma Negra’s Foundation and is member of the Risks and Reputational Committee, the Audit Committee and the Results, Finance and Strategy Committee of Loma Negra.
Executive Officers
Our executive officers are responsible for the execution of decisions of our board of directors and our day-to-day management within the scope of their respective capacity. Our executive officers are elected by the board and may be removed at any time with or without cause by the board of directors. Each executive officer also has individual responsibilities that are determined by the board of directors. Our executive officers are currently as follows:
| Name | Year of Birth | Position | Year of first Appointment | |||||||||||||||||
| Sergio Damián Faifman | 1974 | Chief Executive Officer | 2016 | |||||||||||||||||
| Marcos Isabelino Gradin | 1972 | Chief Financial Officer | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||
| Dardo Ariel Damiano | 1963 | Industrial Director | 2008 | |||||||||||||||||
| Gerardo Oscar Diez | 1967 | Commercial and Concrete Director | 2016 | |||||||||||||||||
| Hector Fabian Gerez | 1968 | Ferrosur Roca S.A. - General Director | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lucrecia Loureiro | 1981 | Human Resources, Sustainability and Legal Director | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
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The business address of our executive officers is Cecilia Grierson 355, 4th Floor, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The following are brief biographical descriptions of our executive officers.
Sergio Damián Faifman. See “Board of Directors” above.
Marcos Isabelino Gradin. Mr. Gradin is our CFO since September 2015. In addition, Mr. Gradin currently serves in the boards of directors of Ferrosur Roca S.A., Cofesur S.A.U. and Recycomb S.A.U. Mr. Gradin served as a member of our board of directors since August 2015 until July 2017. He has also served as CFO of Cimpor Spain and Portugal, from January 2013 until August 2015. He joined us in 1998 and has occupied several executive positions within our group, including financial manager from June 2006 until January 2013 and CFO from January 1998 until June 2006. Mr. Gradin received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1995 from UCA. He also received a master’s degree in corporate finance from Universidad del CEMA in 2000.
Dardo Ariel Damiano. Mr. Damiano is our Director of Operations since March 2008 and is responsible for the management and operations of our six integrated plants and two grinding plants. In addition, he is responsible for the company's Engineering, Technology and Processes and Maintenance Area as of March 2022. Mr. Damiano also currently serves in the boards of Ferrosur Roca S.A., Cofesur S.A.U. and Recycomb S.A.U. Mr. Damiano served as a member of our board of directors from November 2008 to July 2017. Since 1990, he held a number of positions at our industrial units and was the plant manager of our L’Amalí and Ramallo plants from May 2006 until March 2008, our Catamarca plant from March 2005 until May 2006 and our Olavarría, Sierras Bayas and Barker plants from December 2002 until February 2005. Mr. Damiano received a degree as Mechanical and Electrical Technician from ENET No.1 in 1982, a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Nacional de La Plata in 1989, a master’s degree in human resources management from UCA in 2000 and an Executive MBA degree from IAE Business School Universidad Austral in 2008.
Gerardo Oscar Diez. Mr. Diez has acted as our commercial and concrete director since January 2011. Mr. Diez is responsible for our marketing strategy and commercial relationships. In addition, Mr. Diez also currently serves in the board of Ferrosur Roca S.A. Mr. Diez joined our company in May 1992 and, since then, has held a number of positions, including commercial and concrete director, having accumulated more than 30 years of expertise. Mr. Diez received a bachelor’s degree in Public Accountancy from Universidad de Buenos Aires in 1991 and an MBA from Universidad Austral in 2000.
Hector Fabian Gerez. Mr. Gerez was appointed as General Director and Vice-President of Ferrosur Roca S.A. in October 2021. He previously performed as manager of the supply chain and logistics at our company from 2005 to 2021, which included the operations at Lomaser’s (our blending, distribution and logistics center which includes a cement mixing plant and distribution and logistics center). Also, he held different positions within the supply chain and logistics area in different jurisdictions in Argentina (e.g. Olavarría, Paraná, Cañuelas). Mr. Gerez joined Loma Negra as a young professional in 1996 and he was part of our company from that point to the present. He received an engineering in electricity degree from Universidad Nacional del Sur de Bahía Blanca and during the last years he attended to several courses of logistic development and direction.
Lucrecia Loureiro. Ms. Loureiro was appointed in April 2022 as Human Resources, Sustainability and Legal Director. Previously she was our director of legal and corporate affairs since March 2021. Ms. Loureiro joined us in 2011 and, since then, has held several positions in our legal department and as Compliance Officer of the company. Ms. Loureiro has wide-ranging experience in capital markets, corporate, labor, financial and commercial matters as well as active participation in international investment projects. Besides the legal affairs, she was also in charge of our compliance program and is currently in charge of the sustainable practices, public affairs, communications of the company, and the Fundación Loma Negra Para el Desarrollo Sustentable. Ms. Loureiro is currently serving as director of Ferrosur Roca and as Vice President of Fundación Loma Negra para el Desarrollo Sustentable. Ms. Loureiro received a law degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 2005. She completed graduate coursework in a master’s program in economic business law at UCA between 2008 and 2009 and she participated on the international exchange program in Tilburg University of Netherlands in 2009. During 2012 and 2013 she attended a program for the development of organizational skills at Universidad del CEMA. In 2014 she was part of the leadership challenges program of Universidad de San Andrés. In 2020 she attended a development executive program at Di Tella University. In addition, she participated in several specialization courses on leadership, coaching and development of organizational competencies.
B.Compensation
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Executive Officers
Our executive officers receive compensation for the services they provide. The aggregate cash compensation paid to all members of senior management as a group was Ps. 2,171 million in 2023 and Ps. 2,449 million in 2022. Additionally, Ps. 697 million and Ps.224 million have been accrued as long-term incentive program during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (See Note 3.19 of our consolidated financial statements).
The cash compensation for each of our executive officers is comprised mainly of base salary and bonus. Base salary may be reviewed and adjusted according to the fluctuations in the labor market. Bonuses are determined based on business results and paid once a year. In addition, our executive officers are eligible to participate in welfare benefit programs, including medical, life and disability insurance. We believe that the compensation awarded to our executive officers is consistent with that of our peers and similarly situated companies in the industry in which we operate.
Directors and Supervisory Committee
Our shareholders fix the compensation of our directors and members of our supervisory committee, including additional wages which may arise from the directors’ performance of any administrative or technical activity. Compensation of our directors and members of our supervisory committee is regulated by the Argentine General Companies Law and the CNV regulations. Section 261 of the Argentine General Companies Law provides that the compensation paid to all directors and members of the surveillance committee in a year may not exceed 5.0% of net profit for such year, if the company is not paying dividends in respect of such net profit. The Argentine General Companies Law increases the annual limitation on director compensation to up to 25.0% of net profit based on the amount of dividends, if any, that are paid. In the case of directors that perform duties at special commissions or perform administrative or technical tasks, these limits may be exceeded if approved at a shareholders’ meeting, the issue is included in the agenda, and is in accordance with the regulations of the CNV. In any case, the compensation of all directors and members of the supervisory committee requires shareholders’ ratification at an ordinary shareholders’ meeting.
During the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2024, the shareholders approved total directors’ compensation of Ps. 868 million (nominal values) and total fees for the members of our supervisory committee of Ps. 14.7 million (nominal values), for services rendered during 2023.
During the annual ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2023, the shareholders approved total directors’ compensation of Ps. 359 million (nominal values) and total fees for the members of our supervisory committee of Ps. 6.2 million (nominal values), for services rendered during 2022.
During the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 27, 2022, the shareholders approved total directors’ compensation of Ps. 203 million and total fees for the members of our supervisory committee of Ps. 4.5 million (nominal values), for services rendered during 2021.
During the annual ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 20, 2021, the shareholders approved total directors’ compensation of Ps. 99.0 million (nominal values) and total fees for the members of our supervisory committee of Ps. 3.3 million (nominal values), for services rendered during 2020.
Certain members of our board of directors who are also our employees or employees of our subsidiaries do not receive any additional compensation for their service on our board of directors. We believe that our director fee structure is customary and reasonable for companies of our kind and consistent with that of our peers and similarly situated companies in the industry in which we operate. These fees may be increased from time to time by a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders.
As of the date of this annual report, neither we, nor any of our affiliates, have entered into any agreement that provides for any benefit or compensation to any director after expiration of his or her term.
Adoption of Clawback Policy
Effective as of November 8, 2023, our board of directors has adopted the Policy for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation (the "Clawback Policy"). The Clawback Policy is administered by our board of directors (by a majority of independent directors serving on the board), and was adopted in compliance with Section 10D of the Exchange Act and applicable rules of the NYSE. The Clawback Policy provides that "Erroneously Awarded Compensation" can be recovered from executive officers following an accounting restatement" due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements. The policy applies to incentive-based compensation received by an executive officer under specific
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conditions, including the timing of the compensation and the officer's service period. It includes provisions for attestation by executive officers, outlines exceptions to recovery, and states that the policy is binding and enforceable against all executive officers and, where required, their legal representatives. A copy of this policy is included as Exhibit 97.1 to this annual report.
Long-Term Incentive Program
Phantom Stock Plan
On January 24, 2018 our board of directors established the long-term incentive program, or the incentive program, with the purpose of attracting, retaining and motivating certain hierarchical employees by providing them incentives directly linked to shareholder value. The incentive program had an annual frequency, with granting of phantom stock rights occurring in the month immediately following the publication of our audited consolidated financial statements for the previous fiscal year. Such options were granted in the framework of an annual plan. Grants were determined by our board of directors. This program was terminated by resolution of our board of directors adopted on February 12, 2021. However, the annual plans that have already been granted within this program will remain in force.
Program administration. Our board of directors is responsible for the overall supervision of the incentive program with the support of a designated management committee, or the management committee, and our management. Only the board of directors has deliberative powers over the incentive program. The management committee is composed of members of our board of directors and, when necessary, advised by executive officers from specific areas (i.e., financial, legal) and external consultants who support our board of directors in the review of proposals for each grant in terms of eligible participants, number of awards, exercise price of each program, among others.
Eligibility. Board members and senior management of Loma Negra and a limited number of senior employees indicated by senior management are eligible for awards under the incentive program.
Awards. Awards consist of the granting of phantom stock rights, which consist in rights to future cash-based awards, based on the valuation of lots of common shares from a predetermined price, or exercise price, and for a certain period, or option term. The exercise of the options provides its beneficiaries the possibility of obtaining an economic benefit calculated by reference to the increase in the value of the phantom stock rights between the date of granting of each plan to the date of exercise of the option.
Exercise price. The exercise price will be defined at the time the awards are granted and will be held until the end of the option term. The exercise price will be equivalent to the average closing value of the common shares in the form of ADSs traded on the NYSE in the 60 days prior to the date of granting the phantom stock rights. The exercise price of the first grant will be equal to the initial public offering price. The share appreciation target will be defined at each grant based on a proposal from the management committee to be reviewed and approved by the board of directors.
Vesting period. The phantom stock rights shall vest and become exercisable on a staggered basis with no phantom stock rights vesting during the first two years of the individual grant and 1/3 of the phantom stock rights vesting during each subsequent year. Participants may exercise their vested rights every quarter after the publication of our quarterly financial statements, once the non-vesting period established by the board of directors has expired.
Option term. The incentive program has an option term of ten years, commencing from the granting of awards. The term of the award represents the maximum term in which the participant must exercise the right. After this period, the phantom stock rights not exercised will become null and void.
As of the date of this annual report, we granted to some of our directors and executive officers the amount of 188,786 phantom stock rights for the 2017 plan duly approved in 2018, 103,085 phantom stock rights for the 2018 plan approved in 2019 and 451,299 phantom stock rights for the 2019 plan approved in 2020.
The phantom stock rights will mature one-third each year on the second, third and fourth anniversary of the award. All of the beneficiaries have accepted the phantom stock rights granted to them. The number of phantom stock rights granted pursuant to the 2017 plan was calculated on the basis of an ADS price of US$19.0. The number of phantom stock rights granted pursuant to the 2018 plan was calculated on the basis of an ADS price of US$8.5. The number of phantom stock rights granted pursuant to the 2019 plan was calculated on the basis of an ADS price of US$5.8.
This Phantom Stock Incentive Program is no longer in place as amended by the board of directors’ meeting held on February 12, 2021 and therefore was replaced by another compensation plans. However, the annual plans that have
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already been granted within this program will remain in force. On February 1, 2023 and on February 19, 2024 the amount equivalent to 250,655 share rights and the amount equivalent to 123,458 share rights, respectively, corresponding to the program for the year 2019, were executed. With the exercise of these rights, the plan corresponding to 2019 was paid in full.
Stock-based compensation plans
On February 12, 2021 our board of directors established two long-term stock-based plans that replaced the Phantom Stock Incentive Program approved by our board of directors on January 24, 2018.
(i)Stock Compensation Plan
Program administration. The program is managed by our board of directors, who is responsible for its overall supervision. The board of directors may delegate the management and implementation of the plan to the human resources department, but only the board of directors has deliberative powers over the incentive program. Implementation of the programs and granting of the plans are subject to applicable law.
Eligibility. Board members, executive directors and senior management of Loma Negra to the extent that, in all cases, hold a labor relationship with us.
Awards. Awards consist of the granting of our ordinary shares and/or ADSs.
Vesting. The ordinary shares and/or ADSs under each plan will be delivered to the beneficiary pursuant to the following schedule (to the extent that, as of each vesting date the beneficiary continues holding a labor relationship with us): (a) January 1st of the next year immediately following the award date: 33% of the ordinary shares and/or ADSs awarded; (b) January 1st of the second year immediately following the award date: 33% of the ordinary shares and/or ADSs awarded; and (c) January 1st of the third year immediately following the award date: 34% of the ordinary shares and/or ADSs awarded.
On February 12, 2021 the board meeting that established the two long-term stock-based plans, also approved the granting of a total amount of 10,069 ADRs corresponding to the 33% of the first installment of the first year. Such amount was distributed on January 5, 2022. On January 2, 2023 17,473 ADRs were distributed, corresponding to the 33% of the second installment of the plan for the year 2021 and 33% to the first installment of the plan for the year 2022. On January 3, 2024, 25,650 ADRs were distributed corresponding to the 34% of the third installment of the plan for the year 2021, 33% to the second installment of the plan for the year 2022 and 33% to the first installment of the plan for the year 2023.
The board of directors may terminate the program at any time.
(ii)Total Shareholder Return Stock Compensation Plan
Program administration. The program will be managed by our board of directors, who will be responsible for its overall supervision. The board of directors may delegate the management and implementation of the plan to the human resources department, but only the board of directors has deliberative powers over the incentive program. Implementation of the programs and granting of the plans are subject to applicable law.
Eligibility. Board members, executive directors and senior management of Loma Negra to the extent that, in all cases hold a labor relationship with us.
Awards. Awards consist of the granting of our ordinary shares and/or ADSs in a number to be determined by reference to the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) as calculated in the manner contemplated in the program.
Vesting. Within the 10 business days following our shareholders meeting approving our annual financial statements for the fiscal period ending on the third fiscal year following the awarding date (including as first fiscal year the one at which the plan is awarded).
As of the date of this annual report, we have not distributed any ordinary shares and/or ADSs under the program. On March 18, 2024, 39,974 ADRs were distributed for the program corresponding to the year 2021.
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The board of directors may terminate the program at any time.
C.Board Practices
Duties and Liabilities of Directors
Directors have the obligation to perform their duties with the loyalty and the diligence of a diligent business person. Under Argentine legislation, directors are jointly and severally liable to the company, the shareholders and third parties for the improper performance of their duties, for violating any law or the bylaws or regulations, if any, and for any damage to these parties caused by fraud, abuse of authority or gross negligence. The following are considered key actions to assess a director’s duty of loyalty: (i) the prohibition on using corporate assets and confidential information for private purposes; (ii) the prohibition on taking advantage, or allowing another to take advantage, by action or omission, of the business opportunities of the company; (iii) the obligation to exercise board powers only for the purposes for which the law, the corporation’s bylaws or the shareholders’ or the board of directors’ resolutions were intended; and (iv) the obligation to take strict care so that acts of the board do not go, directly or indirectly, against the company’s interests. A director must inform the board of directors and the supervisory committee of any conflict of interests he/she may have in a proposed transaction and he/she must abstain from deliberating and voting thereon.
In general, a director will not be held liable for a decision of the board of directors, even if that director participated in the decision or had knowledge of the decision, if (i) there is written evidence of the director’s opposition to the decision and (ii) the director notifies the supervisory committee of that opposition. However, both conditions must be satisfied before the liability of the director is claimed before the board of directors, the supervisory committee or the shareholders or relevant authority or the commercial courts.
Section 271 of the Argentine General Companies Law allows directors to enter into agreements with the company that relate to such director’s activity and under arms’ length conditions. Agreements that do not satisfy any of the foregoing conditions must have prior approval of the board of directors (or the supervisory committee in the absence of board quorum), and must be notified to the shareholders at a shareholders’ meeting. If the shareholders reject the agreement, the directors or the members of the supervisory committee, as the case may be, shall be jointly and severally liable for any damages to the company that may result from such agreement. Agreements that do not satisfy the conditions described above and are rejected by the shareholders are null and void, without prejudice to the liability of the directors or members of the supervisory committee for any damages to the company.
The acts or agreements that a company enters into with a related party involving a relevant amount should fulfill the requirements set forth in Section 72 and 73 of the LMC. Under Section 72, the term “related party” includes the directors, the members of the audit and supervisory committee, the special or general managers designated pursuant to Section 270 of the Argentine General Companies Law (as well as their ascendants, descendants, spouses, brothers or sisters) and the companies in which any of the aforementioned persons may have a direct or indirect significant ownership. A relevant amount is considered to be an amount which exceeds 1% of the net worth of the company as per the latest balance sheet. Under the CNV Rules, a person has a “significant ownership” when the person owns shares that represent no less than 15% of the total capital of such company, or a lesser ownership and the right to designate one or more directors per class of shares, or agreements with other shareholders regarding the management or corporate governance of the company or its controlling entity. The board of directors or any of its members shall require from the audit committee a report stating if the terms of the transaction may be reasonably considered adequate in relation to normal market conditions. The company may resolve with the report of two independent evaluating firms that shall have informed about the same matter and about the other terms of the transaction. The board of directors shall make available to the shareholders the report of the audit committee or the independent evaluating firms, as the case may be, at the main office one business day after the board’s resolution was adopted and shall communicate such fact to the shareholders of the company in the respective market bulletin. The vote of each director shall be stated in the minutes of the board of directors approving the transaction. The transaction shall be submitted to the approval of the shareholders of the company when the audit committee or both evaluating firms have not considered the terms of the transaction to be reasonably adequate in relation to normal market conditions. In the case where a shareholder demands compensation for damages caused by a violation of Section 73, the burden of proof shall be placed on the defendant to prove that the act or agreement was in accordance with the market conditions or that the transaction did not cause any damage to the company. The transfer of the burden of proof shall not be applicable when the transaction has been approved by the board of directors with the favorable opinion of the audit committee or two evaluating firms.
We may initiate causes of action against directors if so decided at a meeting of the shareholders. If a cause of action has not been initiated within three months of a shareholders’ resolution approving its initiation, any shareholder may
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start the action on behalf and on our account. A cause of action against the directors may be also initiated by shareholders who object to the approval of the performance of such directors if such shareholders represent, individually or in the aggregate, at least 5% of our capital stock.
Except in the event of our mandatory liquidation or bankruptcy, shareholder approval of a director’s performance, or express waiver or settlement approved by the shareholders’ meeting, terminates any liability of a director vis-à -vis the company, provided that shareholders representing at least 5% of our capital stock do not object and provided further that such liability does not result from a violation of law or our bylaws.
Under Argentine law, the board of directors is in charge of the company’s management and administration and, therefore, makes any and all decisions in connection therewith, as well as those decisions expressly provided for in the Argentine General Companies Law, the company’s bylaws and other applicable regulations. Furthermore, the board is generally responsible for the execution of the resolutions passed in shareholders’ meetings and for the performance of any particular task expressly delegated by the shareholders.
Supervisory Committee
Our supervisory committee (Comisión Fiscalizadora) consists of three members appointed at our shareholders’ meeting for a term of one year. Members may be reelected. The primary responsibility of our supervisory committee is to supervise the compliance by our management with Argentine law and with our bylaws as well as to review our financial statements and to report their findings to our shareholders. Our supervisory committee is required to elect a president among its members and shall meet every quarter and at any time when called by its president. Decisions of the supervisory committee require a quorum of a majority of members and are taken by a majority vote. According to the LMC and our bylaws, the supervisory committee may be rescinded provided that an Audit Committee was duly appointed. The decision to rescind the appointed supervisory committee must be passed by an extraordinary shareholders' meeting with a quorum 75% of the shares entitled to vote and with the majority of 75% of votes -without applying the plurality of votes of the shares entitled to vote. The following table lists the current members of our supervisory committee, who were elected at a shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2024:
| Name | Year of Appointment | Position Held | Age | |||||||||||||||||
| Antonio Juan Lattuca | 2024 | Member | 81 | |||||||||||||||||
| Omar Raúl Rolotti | 2024 | Member | 77 | |||||||||||||||||
| Adriana Irene Calvo | 2024 | Member | 61 | |||||||||||||||||
| Claudio Aldo Forti | 2024 | Alternate | 60 | |||||||||||||||||
| Carlos Roberto Chiesa | 2024 | Alternate | 55 | |||||||||||||||||
| José Alanis | 2024 | Alternate | 86 | |||||||||||||||||
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors has established an Audit Committee as well as other committees as described below. We expect our board of directors to have such other committees as the board of directors may determine from time to time.
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee is composed of three principal members and one alternate member, all designated by our board of directors. All members of the audit committee were appointed by our board of directors on April 25, 2024,
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and their terms will expire at the next annual shareholders meeting. The following table provides relevant information about the members of our audit committee:
| Name | Position | Age | Election Date | Condition | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carlos Boero Hughes | Permanent | 58 | 2024 | Independent | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Laura Gé | Permanent | 56 | 2024 | Independent | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sergio Daniel Alonso | Permanent | 61 | 2024 | Independent | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cesar Javier Graña | Alternate | 53 | 2024 | Independent | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As of the date of this annual report, all of the members of our audit committee are independent under CNV regulations, Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, or Rule 10A-3, and the applicable NYSE standards. In addition, our board of directors has determined that each of the members of our Audit Committee is “financially literate” within the meaning of the rules of the NYSE and that Carlos Boero Hughes is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 16A of Form 20-F under the Securities Act and has the requisite accounting or related financial management expertise under the rules of the NYSE.
Our Audit Committee’s primary responsibilities are to assist the board of directors’ oversight of: (1) the integrity of our financial statements; (2) the adequacy and integrity of the accounting and financial reporting processes and internal controls systems for the issuance of financial reports, and the monitoring of such internal controls; (3) the identification and monitoring of our risks and risk management policies; (4) the standards and procedures related to ethics and conduct and our internal policies and channels for addressing complaints and concerns confidentially and anonymously raised by employees regarding accounting, internal controls and auditing matters and for the receipt, treatment and investigation of those concerns; (5) the external and internal audits, as well as the engagement of the independent auditor and the evaluation of qualifications, services, performance and independence of our independent auditor; (6) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and (7) perform other duties attributed by law or by our company’s bylaws”. We adopted an Audit Committee charter defining the committee’s primary duties in a manner consistent with the rules of the SEC and the NYSE, which is available on our website at www.lomanegra.com.
Disclosure Policy Committee
In January 2018, our board of directors created the Disclosure Policy Committee to manage compliance with ongoing disclosure rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Regulation FD promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The committee is composed of five members: chief executive officer, chief financial officer, legal and corporate affairs director, head of corporate communications and investor relations manager. The committee monitors compliance with regulations and our disclosure policy and advises the company on communications with external and internal audiences. Its main purpose is to obtain input from the company’s spokespersons on disclosure issues and to assure agreement on management’s messages and policies. This committee meets quarterly in advance of each earnings announcement or whenever there are issues that require consideration.
Securities Operations Approval Committee
Our insider trading policy committee establishes the policies and procedures that govern trading by our personnel of our securities and securities of any other company about which such personnel learns material, non-public information in the course of performing his or her duties for our company. All our directors, officers and other employees, supervisory board members, controlling shareholders and their representatives and/or employees, and any other person designated by the securities compliance officer, are subject to the prohibitions set forth in the insider trading policy.
Pursuant to this policy, certain of our officers and employees as well as any person specially designated by the securities compliance officer must inform and request for approval to the securities operations approval committee of any operation that they intend to carry out with our securities.
The committee comprises the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, the commercial and concrete director; and the legal and corporate affairs director.
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Ethics and Compliance Committee
The ethics and compliance committee, consisting of members of the board of directors, at least one of them being an independent director, and members of our management, is responsible, jointly with the ethics and compliance officer, for administering the code of business conduct, designing and approving the compliance program and investigating any infringement of the code and of applicable laws and regulations.
People and Governance Committee
This committee was created by our board of directors on May 9, 2019 and is composed by members of the board of directors, at least one of them being an independent director. The people and governance committee is currently chaired by one of our independent directors. The committee’s primary responsibilities are: (i) defining our governance model (reviewing bylaws, regulations, internal policies, committees, structure and organization); (ii) evaluating and proposing of the members of the board of directors; (iii) designing human resources guidelines and processes; (iv) evaluating of the remuneration of leadership positions and directors; and (v) developing succession plans for leadership positions and directors.
Results, Finance and Strategy Committee
The results, finance and strategy committee was created by our board of directors on May 9, 2019 and is composed by members of the board of directors, at least one of them being an independent director. The results, finance and strategy committee’s primary responsibilities are: (i) defining our company’s goals; (ii) reviewing the budget and monitoring results and cash flow; (iii) reviewing our results disclosure policy; (iv) supporting the management of our business; (v) discussing financial planning; (vi) management of opportunities in current businesses; (vii) capital expenditures management and planning; and (viii) analysis of new business opportunities and projects.
Risk and Reputation Committee
The risk and reputation committee was created by our board of directors on May 9, 2019, and is composed by members of the board of directors, and at least one is an independent director. This committee’s primary responsibilities are: (i) monitoring corporate image management; (ii) reviewing integrated risk map; (iii) designing crisis contingency plan; and (iv) overseeing community relations and donations.
D.Employees
As of December 31, 2023 we had a total of 2,885 employees. We have collective bargaining agreements with the union that represents our blue collar employees in the cement industry, or AOMA. Certain of our subsidiaries have collective bargaining agreements with unions that represent their employees in the railway transportation (APDFA, La Fraternidad and Unión Ferroviaria), in the chemical industry (FESTIQyPRA), and in the construction industry (UOCRA). We have not experienced a significant number of strikes or other labor slowdowns. During the last four years, we have not had a particular strike affecting all our operations, and we have lost an average of only 5 working days per year due to local strikes always affecting a particular plant in each case.
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Business Segment | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cement | 1,415 | 1,421 | 1,408 | |||||||||||||||||
| Concrete | 285 | 278 | 253 | |||||||||||||||||
| Aggregates | 74 | 63 | 53 | |||||||||||||||||
| Railroad | 1,077 | 1,090 | 1,105 | |||||||||||||||||
| Others | 34 | 34 | 30 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 2,885 | 2,886 | 2,849 | |||||||||||||||||
E.Share Ownership
None of our directors or executive officers beneficially owns one percent or more of our ordinary shares as of the date of this annual report.
F.Disclosure of a Registrant’s Action to Recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation
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Not Applicable
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our outstanding shares, which may be represented by ADSs, as of March 31, 2024, by:
•each person or group of affiliated persons that, to our knowledge, beneficially owns 5% or more of our ordinary shares; and
•all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
As disclosed in “Item 6.E. Share Ownership,” none of our directors or executive officers beneficially owns one percent or more of our ordinary shares as of the date referenced above . The beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares, including shares in the form of ADSs, is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally refers to the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting or to dispose or direct the disposition of any security. For purposes of this table, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired within 60 days from March 31, 2024, through the exercise of any option or warrant. The amounts and percentages are based upon 583,483,151 ordinary shares as of March 31, 2024.
All of our shareholders, including the shareholders listed below, have the same voting rights attached to their shares, including shares in the form of ADSs. See “Item 10.B Additional Information—Memorandum and Articles of Association—Description of Capital Stock—Bylaws—Voting Rights”. Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares, except to the extent authority is shared by spouses under community property laws.
The table below sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of March 31, 2024:
| Shares Beneficially Owned | ||||||||||||||
| Name of Beneficial Owner | Number | Percentage of our Capital Stock | ||||||||||||
IC Trading Inversiones Argentina, S.L. (1) | 304,233,740 | 52.1 | ||||||||||||
The Capital Group Companies, Inc. (2) | 38,413,985 | 6.6 | ||||||||||||
ANSES (3) | 31,076,151 | 5.3 | ||||||||||||
Pampa Energía S.A.(4) | 30,201,495 | 5.2 | ||||||||||||
Redwood Capital Management, LLC (5) | 29,367,140 | 5.0 | ||||||||||||
| Directors and Executive Officers as a Group | * | * | ||||||||||||
________________
(1)Based on information provided by IC Trading Inversiones, it owns and controls 100% of the voting shares of IC Trading Inversiones Argentina. InterCement Portugal S.A. owns and controls 100% of IC Trading Inversiones. InterCement Participações S.A. owns and controls 99.5% of the share capital of InterCement Portugal S.A. Mover Participações S.A. (formerly named Camargo Corrêa S.A.) owns and controls 95.73% of InterCement Participações S.A.’s voting shares. Participações Morro Vermelho S.A. owns 99% of the common shares and 99% of the preferred shares of Mover Participações S.A.
(2)Based on the filing made on March 25, 2024 in compliance with Art. 12 of Section VI, Chapter I of Title XII of the Regulations of the National Securities Commission (CNV) , Capital Research and Management Company ("CRMC") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc ("CGC") CGC is deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares.
(3)The amount of shares owned by the National Social Security Association of Argentina (Administración Nacional de la Seguridad Social), or the ANSES, is based on the information provided by ANSES to the company to attend to the annual ordinary shareholders' meeting held on April 25, 2024.
(4)Based on the 13G filing to the SEC made on June 23, 2023. Pampa Energía S.A.is the beneficial owner of the shares through the position held by its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Comercializadora e Inversora S.A. and Pampa Energía Bolivia S.A.
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(5)Based solely on the 13G filed jointly by Redwood Capital Management, LLC, Redwood Capital Management Holdings, LP, Double Twins K, LLC and Ruben Kliksberg, on May 24, 2023. All securities reported therein are owned by advisory clients of Redwood Capital Management, LLC. None of the advisory clients individually own more than 5% of the outstanding Ordinary Shares of Loma Negra.
*Individually each owning less than 1% of our outstanding ordinary shares.
Other than IC Trading Inversiones Argentina, S.L., The Capital Group Companies, Inc, ANSES, Pampa Energía S.A. and Redwood Capital Management, we are not aware of any person that is the beneficial owner of five percent or more of our voting securities.
Significant Changes in Percentage Ownership
To our knowledge, there have been no significant changes in the percentages of ownership held by the major shareholders listed below, except as disclosed below, which disclose certain internal restructurings within our controlling shareholder.
On January 21, 2020 Caue Austria Holding GmbH notified to Caja de Valores of the transfer of all of its ownership in the company (i.e. 304,233,740 ordinary shares) to Intercement Trading e Inversiones, S.A., its direct parent company.
On June 4, 2020, Intercement Trading e Inversiones S.A. granted a first priority pledge over all of its shares of Loma Negra (which, as of the date of this annual report, represent 52.14% of Loma Negra´s capital stock) in favor of Planner Trustee DTVM Ltda. The aforementioned pledge was granted as security for the obligations assumed by its indirect shareholder, Intercement Participações S.A., and its subsidiary, Intercement Brasil S.A., regarding the issuance of simple debentures, not convertible into shares, in accordance with the public offering regulations of Brazil for a total amount of BRL 4,676,827,000 to refinance its financial debt. In this sense, on June 5, 2020, Intercement Trading e Inversiones S.A. requested to Caja de Valores the registration of the pledge.
On January 6, 2021, Intercement Trading e Inversiones, S.A. notified to Caja de Valores of the transfer of all of its ownership in the company (i.e. 304,233,740 ordinary shares) to its subsidiary Intercement Trading e Inversiones Argentina, S.L.
On April 25, 2023, the annual ordinary and extraordinary shareholders meeting approved a capital reduction in the amount of 12,543,339 ordinary shares, i.e., from 596,026,490 to 583,483,151 ordinary shares. Therefore, as of the date of this annual report, Intercement Trading e Inversiones Argentina, S.L. holds 304,233,740 ordinary shares, representing 52.14% of our share capital.
On February 23, 2024, Intercement Participações S.A. announced that it had received a series of inquiries and offers with respect to its assets. In addition, our controlling shareholder informed that it had engaged with advisors to assist in evaluating strategic alternatives (such as private placement, merger, or partnership with a strategic player, or a potential divestment), and that a competitive process had been organized and was underway. As of the date of this annual report, our controlling shareholder has not released any additional information. For further information about the impact of a change of control pursuant to regulations in force in Argentina, see “Exhibit 2.2 Description of Registrant’s Securities”
B.Related Party Transactions
We enter into transactions with our shareholders and with companies that are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by us in the normal course of our business. We conduct these transactions on an arms’ length basis. Any transactions with related parties have been made consistent with normal business operations using terms and conditions available in the market and are in accordance with the applicable legal standards. Those transactions were eliminated in the consolidation process.
We maintain certain agreements with other companies controlled by our controlling shareholder in the ordinary course of business in order to share costs and expenses related to the use and maintenance of certain shared administrative functions. These transactions comply at all times with legal requirements regarding conflict of interests and are monitored closely by our management.
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As of the date of this annual report, we do not have any loans or other financing agreements with any of our directors and executive officers. Please refer to the below disclosure and “Note 19 to our audited consolidated financial statements” included elsewhere in this annual report for more information.
Other Transactions
Know-how Offer Letter with InterCement Participações S.A.
On August 28, 2020, we accepted an offer from Intercement Participações S.A. (the “Offer”) for the transfer of technical know-how relating to the designing and manufacturing of building materials, such as cement, clinker, and concrete, among others, for the purpose of optimizing the performance and the operations of our company. According to the terms of the Offer, we will have access to the know-how possessed and developed by InterCement Participações S.A., such as, technology, engineering, development of management systems to enhance performance and processes, industrial sustainability and innovation. The royalty fee for the transfer of technical know-how represents 1% of our company’s revenues in nominal values not adjusted for inflation pursuant to our unconsolidated financial information for each year of validity of the Offer and will be paid on a quarterly basis. The Offer shall remain in force for an initial period of three years and shall thereafter be renewed automatically for further successive one-year periods unless either party terminates the Offer by giving to the other party not less than three months’ prior notice. These transactions comply with legal requirements regarding conflict of interests, are conducted on an arms’ length basis and are monitored closely by our management. This contract ended in August 2023.
Offer Letter Services from Loma Negra to InterCement Participacoes S.A.
On September 29, 2021 InterCement Participacoes S.A. accepted our offer regarding the provision of services to themselves or to any other company of the InterCement Group on its behalf (the “Services”). Such Services include, but are not be limited to: development and implementation of performance management, optimization and operational progress tools, technical support in the areas of process engineering, geology, raw materials, maintenance, products and quality, technical training of managers, engineers, and technicians and prospecting of new international business (due diligences). The fees for the Services represents (i) the Net Costs (meaning all costs in which we incur in connection with providing the Services); plus (ii) an arm’s length return for all Services levied at 8%. The term of the agreement is three years starting September 2021, unless either party provides written notice of termination at least three month in advance.
C.Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A.Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
See Item 18 and our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the three years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 included in this annual report.
Legal Proceedings
We were party to various legal and administrative proceedings, including civil and labor claims filed by former employees and subcontractors’ employees and public authorities relating to overtime payments, paid leave, working hours, safety, occupational accidents and compensation for exposure to health hazards and tax claims. As of December 31, 2023, such claims involved a total amount in controversy of approximately Ps. 7,599 million, of which Ps. 2,167 million corresponded to probable claims, Ps. 4,925 million to possible claims, including mainly Ps. 434 million related to tax contingencies, Ps. 685 million in labor contingencies and Ps. 3,806 million in administrative, commercial and other proceedings. The remaining Ps. 507 million corresponded to remote claims. It is our policy to make provisions for legal contingencies when, based upon our judgment based on the advice of our legal advisers, the risk of loss is probable. As of December 31, 2023, we had established a provision in the amount of Ps. 2,168 million to cover contingencies for proceedings for which the risk of loss was deemed probable. Moreover, as of December 31, 2023, we also made judicial deposits in the amount of Ps. 12.9 million, related to these proceedings. For claims where we did not record any estimated liability, we will continue to evaluate information as it becomes known and will record an estimate for losses at the time or times if and when it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable.
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As of December 31, 2023, there were no other material contingencies that could negatively impact our financial results.
The following table summarizes legal and administrative proceedings to which we are party, the amounts in dispute in these proceedings and the aggregate amount of the provision established for losses that may arise from these proceedings:
As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Number of proceedings | Total Claims | Total Provisions | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions of Ps.) | |||||||||||||||||
| Labor and Social Security Proceedings | 178 | 2,042.8 | 1,305.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Civil and other proceedings | 232 | 5,556.6 | 861.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 410 | 7,599.4 | 2,167.5 | ||||||||||||||
See Note 26 of our consolidated financial statements in relation with possible contingencies for which we have not recorded a provision as it is not required under IFRS.
Damnificados Financieros Asociación Civil’s Class Action
On February 27, 2007, Damnificados Financieros Asociación Civil filed a class action as representative of the holders of the notes issued by Inversora Eléctrica de Buenos Aires S.A., or IEBA, in an aggregate principal amount of Ps. 200,000,000, in 1997, or the IEBA Notes, against several defendants (including us, as a former minority shareholder of IEBA). Plaintiff seeks to extend liability to the defendants for the lack of payment of the IEBA Notes alleging, among other things, under-capitalization of IEBA, as issuer. We filed several defenses, including, without limitation, lack of standing to sue, statute of limitations, that we were no longer shareholders of IEBA at the time of the issuance of the IEBA Notes and that the IEBA Notes have been successfully restructured through a reorganization plan duly endorsed by the competent court with effect against all holders of the IEBA Notes and declared fulfilled by resolution of the same court dated April 18, 2008. On August 28, 2017, the court admitted the class action and as of September 5, 2017, we appealed the court’s decision. The Court rejected such appeal, thus on September 28, 2017, we filed a petition in error because of denial of appeal. Finally, the petition in error was admitted. As of August 14, 2018, the Court decided to confirm the appealed resolution regarding the admission and certification of the class action and order its registration in the Public Registry of Collective Processes (Registro Público de Procesos Colectivos). In 2019, the court order to publish notice of the class action in the media. On September 2020, the publications’ project filed by the plaintiff was approved and in December 2020, the plaintiff certified the publication of the class action in its social media. On April 4, 2021, plaintiff requested the Court to open the evidentiary stage. On June 4, 2021, the Court deferred the ruling on defendants’ defenses until passing final judgment and ordered to send the docket to the Public Prosecutor. On August 28, 2021, the Court received the opinion of the Public Prosecutor. On September 16, 2021, the court requested the parties to state whether a settlement would be possible. The parties answered the Court’s request. On March 3, 2022, after examining the proceedings the court ordered compliance with pending procedural matters. On December 22, 2022 the court ordered the commencement of the evidentiary stage. After reviewing the evidence offered by the parties for quite some time, on March 28, 2023 the Court has ordered the parties to start producing their evidence. Currently, the parties are still producing the evidence offered. Based on information currently available and the current stage of the litigation, we believe that the chances of success of the claim against us are remote, and thus have not recorded any provision in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023.
Antitrust Proceedings
CNDC Fine. In 1999, the CNDC, initiated administrative investigations against the largest Argentine cement companies, including Loma Negra, for alleged violations of Argentine antitrust regulations by means of an alleged mutual agreement among all companies to fix prices and to distribute the market share among themselves during the period from 1981 to 1999, causing a potential damage to the general economic interest. On July 25, 2005, the CNDC determined that Loma Negra and Cementos San Martín (a company acquired by, and merged into, Loma Negra in 1992), together with other cement companies, violated these regulations and imposed a fine against Loma Negra in the aggregate amount of Ps. 167.2 million. This resolution by the CNDC was appealed and finally confirmed in 2013 by the Argentine National Supreme Court of Justice, and Loma Negra paid the fine.
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CNDC Market Investigation (C. 1476). In 2013, the CNDC initiated administrative investigations related to the price of cement. To this end, the CNDC requested information from all cement companies involved in the 1999 investigation. In June 2014, the CNDC removed Loma Negra as a party to the investigative proceeding and confirmed that it is a market investigation where the cement companies do not have access to the file. As of the date of this annual report, the case is still under analysis by the CNDC. Thus, based on information currently available and the current stage of the investigation, we are unable to reasonably estimate a possible loss or range of possible losses, if any, with regard to any potential claims and thus have not recorded any provision in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023.
CNDC Market Investigation (C. 1491). In 2014, the CNDC initiated a market investigation that involved all construction materials companies. However, no particular company has been charged or is subject to investigation for anti-competitive behavior. In March and June 2014, Loma Negra submitted all the information requested by the Antitrust Commission. As of the date of this annual report, the case is still under analysis by the CNDC. Thus, based on information currently available and the current stage of the investigation, we are unable to reasonably estimate a possible loss or range of possible losses, if any, with regard to any potential claims and thus have not recorded any estimated liability in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022.
CNDC Investigation - Abuse of Dominant Position (C. 1488). In 2014 the Association of Small- and Micro- Enterprises (Asociación de Pequeñas y Micro Empresas) filed a claim against cement, steel and aluminum companies (including Loma Negra) for alleged abuse of dominant market position and artificial increases in product prices. In March 2016, Loma Negra filed an answer against the complaint and denied all claims, which was rejected by the CNDC on August 25, 2017. On September 8, 2017, we filed a motion for reconsideration against this administrative decision. On February 18, 2020 we were notified of the Resolution of the Secretary of Commerce that ordered the ending of the investigation after the opinion of the CNDC that found that no anticompetitive practices took place. Claimant did not appeal the CNDC’s decision and the docket was closed.
CNDC Market Investigation - Competitive Conditions in Cement Market (IM 6). On August 10, 2017, we were notified of a new administrative investigation initiated by the CNDC regarding competitive conditions in the cement market in Argentina. None of the cement companies has been accused or is subject to investigation for anticompetitive practices under this proceeding. On April 26, 2018 the CNDC notified that the purpose of the investigation was to analyze the market conditions of the cement industry in order to make recommendations. The CNDC has requested us to file several information and documentation related to products that we commercialized: the last request for information received by us was February 7, 2021. We filed the requested information on February 23, 2021. On April 27, 2022 the CNDC issued Disposition DISFC-2022-36-APN-CNDC#MDP, by which it decided to close the investigation with recommendations to the Chamber of Producers of Portland Cement (AFCP for its acronym in Spanish). No recommendation was issued regarding the cement companies.
CNDC Investigation - Abuse of Dominant Position (C. 1794). In July 2022, the Antitrust Commission initiated an investigation into the company for alleged abuse of dominant position and price discrimination in Portland cement prices and asked Loma Negra to give explanations. On August 26, 2022, we filed explanations and denied all claims. On November 4, 2022 the Antitrust Commission decided to continue the investigation and requested information from us and third parties. Based on currently available information and the stage of the investigation, we are unable to reasonably estimate a range of possible losses, if any, with regard to any potential claims and thus have not recorded any estimated liability in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023.
Securities Complaints Commenced Against Loma Negra under US Jurisdiction
In 2018, two investors who purportedly purchased our ADSs pursuant and/or traceable to our IPO, commenced two different putative class actions before US courts on behalf of all persons and/or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired our ADSs pursuant and/or traceable to our prospectus and registration statement issued in connection with the IPO, and, in the case of the Federal Class Action (defined below), on behalf of all persons and/or entities who purchased our ADSs on the open market between November 2, 2017 and May 23, 2018, inclusive. Loma Negra, its directors and some members of its senior management at the time of the IPO and Loma Negra Holding GmbH (now Intercement Trading e Inversiones, S.A.) were named as defendants in both actions.
Federal Class Action
On December 5, 2018, plaintiff, Eugenio Carmona filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, pursuant to Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933.The plaintiff alleged that our offering materials failed to disclose material facts and risks concerning our prospects for future growth and that the
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price of our ADSs was artificially inflated. We moved to dismiss the action and on April 27, 2020, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an opinion granting defendants’ motion to dismiss. On July 17, 2020, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the appeal filed against the Federal Court’s opinion. Therefore, the favorable opinion for us and the other defendants is final and the Federal Class Action is over.
State Class Action
On June 21, 2018, plaintiff Dan Kohl filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, pursuant to Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. The complaint also asserts claims against the underwriters of our IPO. The plaintiff alleges that our offering materials failed to disclose material facts and risks concerning our prospects for future growth and our business. As a result of such alleged omissions, the plaintiff asserts that the price of our ADSs was artificially inflated. On March 13, 2019, we filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. On October 22, 2020, the State Court issued its ruling on the motion to dismiss and dismissed a portion of the claims while allowing the rest of the claims to proceed. On June 1, 2021, the First Department modified the Supreme Court’s decision on our motion to dismiss and further narrowed the grounds upon which the case can proceed.
On December 2, 2021, the State Court entered an order certifying the case as a class action and denying our motion for summary judgment. We appealed these rulings, which were affirmed by the First Department on November 17, 2022.
On October 11, 2023, we entered into a proposed agreement (the "Agreement") with the lead plaintiff which received the preliminary approval from the New York State Court on November 30, 2023. On April 10, 2024, the final approval by the New York State Court was granted. The completion of the Settlement is contingent on a final class payment, which is expected to be made before October 11, 2024, and is covered by our Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance policies. Once such payment has been made, the New York State Court is expected to issue the final judgment and the case will end.
The Agreement does not contain any admission or acknowledgment of liability for wrongful conduct by Loma Negra or other defendants in the class action, and it includes a release of all claims.
The material payment obligations under the Agreement are covered by insurance policies contracted by the company, with a significant portion of the Agreement amount having been paid in December 2023, which is deposited in the court’s escrow accounts. There is still an additional payment that must be made 365 days from the signing of the Agreement.
The company has recognized a liability for the remaining payment as stipulated in the Agreement and has accounted for the corresponding insurance coverage, following the Agreement's final court approval and our commitment to the settlement terms.
Dividends and Dividend Policy
Under the Argentine General Companies Law, the declaration and payment of dividends is determined by the shareholders at the shareholders’ meeting. The approval of dividends requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting. We have a single class of ordinary shares entitled to the same voting rights and amount of dividends per share.
Dividends, if any, on our outstanding ordinary shares will be proposed by our board of directors and subject to the approval of our shareholders. Even if our shareholders decide to distribute dividends, the form, frequency and amount of such dividends will depend upon our future operations and earnings, investment plans, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors our board of directors and shareholders may deem relevant.
In addition, the distribution of dividends may be limited by Argentine law, which permits the distribution of dividends only out of realized and net earnings (ganancias líquidas y realizadas) as set forth in our annual standalone financial statements presented in pesos and approved by our shareholders, or consolidated special interim balance sheet, in case of anticipated dividends.
Under the Argentine General Companies Law, our bylaws and our Dividend Policy, we are required to allocate to our legal reserve 5% of our annual net earnings, plus or minus the results of prior years, until our legal reserve equals 20% of our then outstanding aggregate share capital. The legal reserve is not available for distribution to the shareholders. References to our bylaws are to our bylaws as adopted by our Shareholders Meeting held on April 16, 2020
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and the amendment of Section Fifth of our by-laws as a consequence of the Voluntary Capital Reduction decided in the Shareholders Meeting held on April 25, 2023. Additionally, our annual net profit must be allocated in the following order:
•to comply with the legal reserve requirement;
•to the establishment of voluntary reserves;
•to pay the accrued fees of the members of our board of directors and supervisory committee;
•to pay dividends on preferred shares (if at any time issued and existing);
•to the distribution of dividends; and
•any remaining balance to undistributed cumulated earnings or as otherwise determined by our shareholders at the annual shareholders’ meeting.
According to the rules issued by the CNV, cash dividends must be paid to shareholders within 30 days of the resolution approving their distribution.
Amounts Available for Distribution
Our board of directors will propose how to allocate our net profit for the preceding fiscal year. The allocation and declaration of annual dividends requires the approval of a majority of our shareholders. Dividends in cash have to be paid within 30 days as from the date of the shareholders’ meeting that approved such distribution of dividends; while dividends payable in shares, such shares have to be delivered to the shareholders within three months as from the date of the shareholders’ meeting that approves such dividend. The time limit after which the dividend entitlement lapses is 5 years from the date on which the dividend is payable in favor of the company.
According to our Dividend Policy the recommendation of our board of directors for the payment of dividends and its amount will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, our cash flow, financial condition (including capital position), investment plans, prospects, legal requirements, economic climate and such other factors as we may deem relevant at the time. The amount of future dividends or interest attributable to shareholders’ equity we may pay is subject to Argentine corporate law and will be determined by our shareholders at the shareholders’ meetings as described above.
Our bylaws and Dividend Policy do not provide for specific amounts to be distributed, but refer to the distribution of the remainder of net profit after legal and statutory reserves are established.
Reserve Accounts
Reserve accounts are comprised of the legal reserve, environmental reserve, optional reserve for future dividends and optional reserve, as determined at the shareholders’ meeting.
Legal reserve: in accordance with the Argentine General Companies Law and our bylaws, we are required to allocate to our legal reserve 5% of our annual net earnings, plus or minus the results of prior years, until our legal reserve equals 20% of our then outstanding aggregate share capital. The legal reserve is not available for distribution to the shareholders. If this legal reserve is reduced for any reason, no dividends can be distributed until such reserve is reinstated.
Environmental reserve: we may allocate a reserve for environmental investments.
Optional reserve for future dividends: we may reserve a portion of our net profit for future dividends distributions.
Optional Reserve: we may reserve a portion of our net profit for future planned capital expenditures and other investments. Based on current regulations in Argentina, the shareholders’ meeting must allocate 100% of our net profit.
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The table below sets forth our capital reserves as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions of Ps.) | |||||||||||||||||
| Legal reserve | 8,799.3 | 8,799.3 | 8,799.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Environmental reserve | 68,7 | 68,7 | 68,7 | ||||||||||||||
Optional reserve for future dividends | 156,519.7 | 227,406.0 | 266,461.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total reserves | 165,387.7 | 236,274.0 | 275,329.1 | ||||||||||||||
Payment of Dividends
Form of Payment
In general, Argentine foreign exchange regulations may grant access to the FX Market for the purchase of foreign currency to pay dividends abroad to foreign shareholders or to an ADS depositary for the benefit of the foreign holders of ADSs if certain conditions are met. Cases not falling under the exhaustive list provided by Argentine foreign exchange regulations will require prior approval of the BCRA to access the FX Market, which is seldom granted and acts as a de facto prohibition. Additionally, the “External Credits and Debts Survey” established by Communication “A” 6401, as amended, must have been complied with. Furthermore, the total amount to be paid to non-resident shareholders through the FX Market shall not exceed the corresponding amount denominated in Pesos that was determined by the shareholders’ meeting. See “Item 10. Additional Information—D. Exchange Controls—Foreign indebtedness information regime”.
The ordinary shares underlying the ADSs are held in Argentina by Caja de Valores, acting as the custodian agent for the ADS depositary. The ADS depositary is the registered owner on record of our ordinary shares represented by ADSs and acts as the registrar of our ADSs. We inform the BCRA the amount of our ordinary shares held by foreign shareholders and the shares underlying the ADSs, and, therefore, should have access to the FX Market (single and free foreign exchange market) to pay dividends with respect to our ordinary shares and ordinary shares represented by ADSs, subject to certain structural restrictions as described further in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Restrictions on transfers of foreign exchange and the repatriation of capital from Argentina may impair your ability to receive dividends and distributions on, and the proceeds of any sale of, the shares underlying the ADSs.” Pursuant to the deposit agreement, holders of ADSs will be entitled to receive dividends, if any, declared with respect to the underlying ordinary shares represented by such ADSs to the same extent as the holders of the ordinary shares.
Payments of cash dividends and distributions, if any, will be made in pesos, although we reserve the right to pay in other currency or in kind to the extent permitted by applicable law. The ADS depositary will convert such dividends received in pesos into U.S. dollars and pay such amount to holders of ADSs, net of any dividend distribution fees, ADS depositary’s fees and expenses, currency conversion expenses and taxes or governmental charges, if any. In the event that the ADS depositary is unable to convert immediately the amount in pesos received as cash dividends into U.S. dollars, the amount of U.S. dollars payable to holders of ADSs may be adversely affected by depreciation of the peso.
History of Payment of Dividends
The annual shareholders’ meeting held on March 23, 2017, approved the distribution of cash dividends in an aggregate amount of Ps. 444.7 million (nominal value) and the increase in the reserve for future dividends of Ps. 15.5 million (nominal value) with respect to our results for the year ended December 31, 2016. On May 17, 2017, our board of directors approved the payment of this distribution of cash dividends.
The annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2018, approved the allocation of the earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017 for the amount of Ps. 1,590.2 million (nominal value) in the facultative reserve considering the current investment plan in property, plant and equipment.
The annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2019, approved the allocation of the retained earnings for the year ended December 31, 2018 for the amount of Ps. 5,166.2 million (nominal value) in the facultative reserve considering the current investment plan in property, plant and equipment.
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The annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 16, 2020, approved the allocation of the retained earnings for the year ended December 31, 2019 for the amount of Ps. 127.7 million (nominal value) in the legal reserve and Ps. 3,711.5 million (nominal value) in the facultative reserve considering the current investment plan in property, plant and equipment.
The ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on September 30, 2020, approved to allocate a part of the Reserve for Future Dividends to distribute dividends in the amount of Ps. 2,400 million (nominal value), equivalent to a dividend of Ps. 4.03 per share. The dividends payment was executed during October, 2020.
The annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 20, 2021, approved (i) to modify the allocation of the Optional Reserve and to allocate such sum to the payment of future dividends and, consequently, change its name to “Optional Reserve for Future Dividends”; and (ii) to allocate the sum of Ps. 11,351 million (nominal value) to the Optional Reserve for Future Dividends. Also, it was approved to delegate to the board of directors the power to totally or partially disaffect and distribute in cash, one or more times, the amount in constant currency of the Optional Reserve for Future Dividends depending on the evolution of the business and the regulatory restrictions and limitations until the next annual shareholders meeting that will consider the financial statements corresponding to the year ending December 31, 2021.
On April 14, 2022 the board of directors of our company approved to allocate a part of the Reserve for Future Dividends to distribute dividends in the amount of Ps. 5,150 million, equivalent to a dividend of Ps. 8.79 per outstanding share. The dividends payment was executed as of April 2022.
The annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 27, 2022, approved (i) to allocate the sum of Ps. 6,586 million (adjusted per inflation as of December 31, 2021) to the Optional Reserve for Future Dividends; and (ii) to delegate to the board of directors the power to totally or partially disaffect and distribute in cash, one or more times, the amount in constant currency of the Optional Reserve for Future Dividends depending on the evolution of the business and the regulatory restrictions and limitations until the next annual shareholders meeting that will consider the financial statements corresponding to the year ending December 31, 2022.
On July 1, 2022 the board of directors of our company approved to allocate a part of the Reserve for Future Dividends to distribute dividends in the amount of Ps. 10,300 million, equivalent to a dividend of Ps. 17.59 per outstanding share. The dividends payment was executed in July 2022.
On December 27, 2022 the board of directors of our company approved to allocate a part of the Reserve for Future Dividends to distribute dividends in the amount of Ps. 3,500 million, equivalent to a dividend of Ps. 5.99 per outstanding share. The dividends payment was executed as of January 2023.
The annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2023, approved (i) to allocate the sum of Ps. 1,939 million (adjusted per inflation as of December 31, 2022) to the Optional Reserve for Future Dividends; and (ii) to delegate to the board of directors the power to totally or partially disaffect and distribute in cash and/or kind, one or more times, the amount in constant currency of the Optional Reserve for Future Dividends depending on the evolution of the business and the regulatory restrictions and limitations until the next annual shareholders meeting that will consider the financial statements corresponding to the year ending December 31, 2023.
On May 2, 2023 the board of directors of our company approved to allocate a part of the Reserve for Future Dividends to distribute dividends in kind in Argentine Republic Treasury Bills in the amount of Ps. 22,200 million, equivalent to a dividend of 43.86 Argentine Republic Treasury Bills per outstanding share. The dividends payment was executed in May 2023.
On June 23, 2023 the board of directors of our company approved to allocate a part of the Reserve for Future Dividends to distribute dividends in the amount of Ps. 13,700 million, equivalent to a dividend of Ps. 23.48 per outstanding share. The dividends payment was executed in July 2023.
The annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2024, approved (i) to allocate the sum of Ps. 6,876 million (adjusted per inflation as of December 31, 2023) to the Optional Reserve for Future Dividends; and (ii) to delegate to the board of directors the power to totally or partially disaffect and distribute in cash and/or kind, one or more times, the amount in constant currency of the Optional Reserve for Future Dividends depending on the evolution of the business and the regulatory restrictions and limitations until the next annual shareholders meeting that will consider the financial statements corresponding to the year ending December 31, 2024.
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Contractual Limitations on Dividend Payments
As of the date of this annual report, none of our outstanding indebtedness contains contractual limitations on dividend payments.
The payment of cash dividends may be subject to additional tax considerations. For further information on the tax implications of dividend payments see “Item 10.E Additional Information—Taxation—Material Argentine Tax Considerations—Taxation on Dividends”.
B.Significant Changes
Except as identified in this annual report, no undisclosed significant changes have occurred since the date of the consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A.Offer and Listing Details
Our ordinary shares trade on the BYMA under the symbol “LOMA” and on the NYSE under the symbol “LOMA” in the form of ADSs issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary. Each ADS represents five ordinary shares.
B.Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C.Markets
On October 31, 2017, we completed our initial public offering and on November 1, 2017, our ADSs representing ordinary shares began to trade on the NYSE. Our ordinary shares are currently traded on the MERVAL (since November 2017) and BYMA (since November 2017) under the symbol “LOMA”. Additionally, our ADSs have been trading on the NYSE since October 31, 2017 under the symbol “LOMA”.
D.Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E.Dilution
Not applicable.
F.Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
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ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A.Share Capital
Not applicable.
B.Memorandum and Articles of Association
Description of Capital Stock
Our bylaws, approved by our shareholders at our general shareholders’ meeting held on April 16, 2020, and the amendment of Section Fifth of our by-laws as a consequence of the Voluntary Capital Reduction decided in the Shareholders Meeting held on April 25, 2023, are filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this annual report. The information otherwise contemplated by this Item is included in Exhibit 2.2 to this annual report, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to our by-laws, Argentine corporate law, the rules and regulations of the CNV and the listing rules of BYMA. For more complete information, you should read our bylaws. For information on how to obtain a copy of our bylaws, please read “Documents on Display”.
General
We are a corporation organized as a Sociedad Anónima under the laws of Argentina on May 10, 1926 and registered with the Public Registry of Commerce of the Province of Buenos Aires (Azul) on August 5, 1926. The resolution of the board of directors dated July 4, 2018 approved the change of our principal executive offices to Boulevard Cecilia Grierson 355, 4th floor, City of Buenos Aires. This resolution has been registered before the Public Registry of the City of Buenos Aires on October 1, 2018 under No. 18553, Book No. 91, Volume – of corporations.
Our share capital as of December 31, 2023 consisted of Ps. 58,348,315.10, represented by 583,483,151 ordinary, book entry shares, with a par value of Ps. 0.10 per share and each entitled to one vote, since on April 25, 2023, our general shareholders’ meeting approved the reduction of our capital stock on (1) 12,352,329 treasury shares acquired under the company’s share repurchase plans and (2) 191,010 shares registered to shareholders that cannot be identified since 1995. The decision taken by the shareholders’ meeting to reduce the company’s capital was approved by the Public Registry on September 26, 2023, under No. 16416, Book No. 114, Volume – of Corporations.
All outstanding shares are fully paid as of the date of this annual report.
The rights of holders of our stock may be modified through a resolution of our extraordinary shareholders’ meeting.
Bylaws
Corporate Purpose
According to our bylaws, we have a broad corporate purpose that includes, among others, to participate in industrial activities, such as the production, commercialization, multiplication, licensing, purchase, sale, importation, exportation and distribution of mining products, as well as to engage in any activity related to mining; to invest in national or foreign companies, private or partially state-owned; to subscribe, acquire or transfer shares, interest or securities, to form subsidiaries; to provide guarantees to third parties; purchase, sale or lease real estate and personal property; to purchase, sell, register and make use of intellectual property; and to allocate up to 10% of its capital, reserves and profits to social and cultural works and charity.
Shareholders’ Meetings
Shareholders’ meetings may be ordinary or extraordinary. We are required to convene and hold an ordinary meeting of shareholders within four months of the close of each fiscal year to consider the matters specified in the first two paragraphs of Section 234 of the Argentine General Companies Law, such as the approval of our consolidated financial statements, allocation of net profit for such fiscal year, approval of the reports of the board of directors and supervisory committee and election and remuneration of directors and members of the supervisory committee. Other matters which may be considered at an ordinary meeting convened and held at any time include the responsibility of directors and members of the supervisory committee, and capital increases without limit, according to our bylaws.
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In addition, under the provisions of section 71 of the LMC, and because we are a company authorized to publicly offer our ordinary shares, the ordinary shareholders’ meeting is to undertake (i) the transfer or encumbrance of all or a substantial part of our assets, other than in the ordinary course of business; and (ii) the execution of an administration or management agreement as it relates to our business and/or assets. The same applies to the approval of any other agreement pursuant to which the assets or services received by us are paid for, totally or partially, with a percentage of our income, results or profits, if such amount is substantial as it relates to our business or assets.
Extraordinary shareholders’ meetings may be convened at any time to consider matters beyond the authority of an ordinary meeting, including amendment of the bylaws; reduction and reimbursement of capital; redemption, reimbursement and amortization of shares; merger, transformation and dissolution of the company; appointment, removal and remuneration of liquidators; spin-off; examination of accounts and any other matters related to management during the liquidation of the corporation, which may require a final approving resolution; limitation or suspension of preemptive rights pursuant to Section 197 of the Argentine General Companies Law; reduction of the term for the exercise of preemptive rights for the subscription of new ordinary shares pursuant to Section 194 of the Argentine General Companies Law; issue of debentures and their conversion into shares; and issue of bonds, except for the issuance of negotiable obligations under Argentine law, which may be approved by a resolution of an ordinary shareholders meeting.
The Argentine General Companies Law provides that shareholders’ meetings may be called by our board of directors or by our supervisory committee or at the request of the holders of shares representing no less than 5% of the ordinary shares. Any meetings called at the request of shareholders must be held within a maximum of 40 days after the request is made. Any shareholder may appoint any person as its duly authorized representative at a shareholders’ meeting, by granting a proxy.
Notice of shareholders’ meetings must be published during five days in the Official Gazzette, in an Argentine newspaper of wide circulation and in the publications of Argentine exchanges or securities markets in which our ordinary shares are traded, at least 20 days before but no later than 45 days from the date on which the meeting is to be held. Such notice must include information regarding the type of meeting to be held, the date, time and place of such meeting and the agenda. If a quorum is not achieved at such first call for the meeting, a notice for a second call for the meeting, which must be held within 30 days of the date on which the first meeting was called, must be published for three days, at least eight days before the date of the second call for the meeting. The above-described notices of shareholders’ meetings may be effected simultaneously for the second call for the meeting to be held on the same day as the first call, except in the case of extraordinary meetings. Shareholders’ meetings may be validly held without notice if all shares of our outstanding share capital are present and resolutions are adopted by unanimous vote of such shares.
Under Argentine corporate law and our bylaws, quorum for ordinary meetings of shareholders on first call is a majority of the shares entitled to vote, and action may be taken by the affirmative vote of an absolute majority of the shares present that are entitled to vote on such action. If a quorum is not available at the first call for the meeting, a second call for the meeting may be held at which action may be taken by the holders of an absolute majority of the shares present, regardless of the number of such shares. The quorum for an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting on first call is 60% of the shares entitled to vote, and if such quorum is not available, an extraordinary meeting following a second call may be held with the presence of 30% of shares entitled to vote.
However, pursuant to Section 244 of the LMC, all shareholders’ meetings, whether convened on a first or second quorum call, require the affirmative vote of the majority of shares with right to vote in order to approve the following decisions: voluntary winding-up of the company, transfer of the domicile of the company outside of Argentina, fundamental change to the purpose of the company, total or partial mandatory repayment by the shareholders of the paid-in capital; and a merger or a spin-off, when our company will not be the surviving company. In the aforementioned cases, multiple voting rights granted by a certain class of shares shall not be considered. Also, under Section 284 of the Argentine General Companies Law, multiple voting rights will not be applicable to the election of syndics or members of the supervisory committee; provided that, the Argentine General Companies Law allows for the election of up to one third of vacant supervisory committee members positions through the cumulative voting system in terms similar to those described in the election of the members of the board of directors.
End of Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year ends on December 31 of each year.
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Jurisdiction and Arbitration
Pursuant to Section 46 of the Capital Markets Law (Ley de Mercado de Capitales), companies whose shares are listed on any authorized market (including the BYMA), are subject to the jurisdiction of the arbitration court of such authorized market (in this case, the Tribunal de Arbitraje General de la Bolsa de Comercio de Buenos Aires, or any successor thereof) for all matters concerning such companies’ relationship with shareholders and investors, without prejudice to the right of shareholders and investors to submit their claims (or challenge any arbitral award, as provided by Sections 758 and 760 of the Argentine Code of Civil and Commercial Procedure) to the competent courts of Argentina. In case that the applicable laws provide for the accumulation of claims related to the same subject matter, such accumulation will be subject to the jurisdiction of the judicial courts.
Shareholders’ Agreements
To our knowledge, as of the date of this annual report, there are no shareholders’ arrangements or agreements the implementation or performance of which could, at a later date, result in a change in the control of us in favor of a third person other than the current controlling shareholder.
C.Material Contracts
We have not been party to any material contracts within the two years prior to the date of this annual report, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business.
D.Exchange Controls
Due to the foreign exchange crisis after the primary elections in August 2019 and the uncertainties on the presidential elections in October 2019 and the measures to be adopted by a new administration, since September 1, 2019, the Argentine Central Bank reinstated rigid restrictions and foreign exchange controls., which have been extended without time limitation by Decree No. 91/2019 issued on December 28, 2019, by the Argentine Executive Branch, and Communication “A” 6862 issued by the Argentine Central Bank on January 15, 2020. Pursuant to these measures, as further amended and complemented, and other additional measures adopted by the Argentine Central Bank, among other things:
(i)Prior authorization of the Argentine Central Bank is required for the access to the FX Market for the purchase of foreign currency:
•For portfolio investment purposes for more than $200 per calendar month by individuals;
•For portfolio investment purposes by legal entities, local governments, funds and trusts;
•By non-Argentine residents, except for certain exemptions;
•For payment of dividends and earnings, except, among other requirements, if (i) the total amount of said payment of profits and dividends as from January 17, 2020 (including the amount of the payment being made at the time of the access) does not exceed 30% of the value of new capital contributions of foreign direct investments made to local companies; (ii) the funds are transferred to Argentina and sold for pesos through the foreign exchange market as from such date; and (iii) regarding resident shareholders, the total amount to be paid through the FX Market does not exceed the corresponding amount denominated in Pesos that was determined by the shareholders' meetings.
•For the pre-payment of principal and interest on foreign financial indebtedness with an anticipation of more than three business days in advance to the scheduled maturity dates, unless certain conditions are met;
•For the pre-payment of indebtedness for the import of goods and services, except for certain exemptions;
•Until December 12, 2024, for the payment of principal under foreign financial indebtedness with related parties, except for certain exemptions.
(ii)The proceeds of the disbursements of foreign financial loans incurred since September 1, 2019 must be transferred into Argentina and converted into pesos through the FX Market in order for the Argentine resident debtor to have access to the FX Market for the payment of principal and interests under such foreign financial loan on their scheduled maturity
(iii)It is prohibited to access the FX market for the purchase of foreign currency for the payment of local debts and other obligations incurred in foreign currency between Argentine residents originated as of September
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1st, 2019, except, among others, in the case of obligations instrumented by means of public registries or deeds dated as of August 30, 2019.
(iv)The proceeds from the collections of foreign currency by Argentine residents abroad for the export of the following goods since September 2nd, 2019 are subject to mandatory transfer into Argentina and conversion into pesos through the FX Market, within the terms described in each case, computed from the shipment date:
•15 consecutive days for crops and soybean oil;
•30 consecutive days for hydrocarbons and derivatives;
•60 consecutive days for exports between related parties not including the goods described above and for metal ores and precious metals;
•180 consecutive days for all other goods; and
•365 consecutive days for small exports under the EXPORTA SIMPLE program for medium and small companies with annual FOB exports of less than US$ 600,000 and individual exports of less than US$ 15,000 each.
Regardless of the applicable maximum terms described above, upon collection of the export receivables, the proceeds thereof are subject to the mandatory repatriation within the five consecutive days computed from the date of payment or collection.
For exports of certain services and all goods included in the Nomenclatura Común del MERCOSUR, the above will be considered completed when the exporter has entered and settled in the exchange market an amount of no less than 80% of the invoiced value and has completed operations of purchase and sale of securities for the unsettled portion, in which securities are acquired with settlement in foreign currency and sold with settlement in local currency in Argentina.
(v)The proceeds from the collection of foreign currency by Argentine residents out of Argentina for the export of services are subject to mandatory repatriation within the five consecutive days computed from the date they are received.
As a general rule, Argentine residents may access the FX Market for the payment of imports of goods. Different requirements apply for goods with customs entry registration and goods with pending customs entry registration. The Argentine importer may access the FX Market to pay imports of goods with customs entry registration registered in the import payment tracking system (“SEPAIMPO”, after its Spanish acronym), provided that certain requirements are met, including, among others, the payment is not made before the scheduled maturity date. Payments must be made to the foreign supplier. Goods with pending customs entry registration are subject to a special follow-up regime. In addition, the prior authorization of the Argentine Central Bank is required for the import of luxury goods such as luxury cars and motorbikes, and pearls and diamonds, among other luxury goods.
(vi)Pursuant to Communication “A” 7001, dated April 30, 2020, and its amendment, in order to gain access to the FX Market for making any kind of payments, and in addition to applicable requirements, the Argentine Central Bank requires an affidavit from the requestor, (i) stating that within the immediately proceeding 180 (or 90 when the operations involve securities issued under Argentine law) consecutive days it has not (a) sold in Argentina securities settled against foreign currency; (b) transferred securities to custody accounts out of Argentina within the immediately preceding 90 consecutive days; (c) acquired in the country securities issued by non-residents with settlement in pesos; (d) acquired Argentine certificates of deposit representing foreign shares; (e) acquired securities representing private debt issued in foreign jurisdictions; and (f) delivered funds in local currency or other local assets (except funds in foreign currency deposited in local financial institutions) to any human or legal person, resident or non-resident, related or not, receiving as prior or subsequent consideration, directly or indirectly, by itself or through a related, controlled or controlling entity, foreign assets, crypto-assets or securities deposited abroad; and (ii) committing within the immediately following 180 (or 90 when the operations involve securities issued under Argentine law) consecutive days not to perform the operations described in (a) yo (f) above.
(vii)Pursuant to sections 3.16.3.3 and 3.16.3.4. of the Consolidated Text of Foreign Exchange of the BCRA, additionally to the affidavit of point (vi) above, in order to gain access to the FX Market, requestors must
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inform the details of the individuals or legal entities that exercise a relationship of direct control over the requestor and other legal entities conforming the same economic group. (Communication "A" 7766, item 2). Also, requestors must indicate whether they have delivered in the country funds in local currency or other liquid local assets – except funds in foreign currency deposited in local financial entities –, on the 180 calendar days before they request access to the foreign exchange market, to any individual or legal entities that exercises a relationship of direct control over it, or to other companies with which it is part of the same economic group, except those directly associated with operations between residents for the acquisition of goods and/or services. Otherwise, they must present sworn statements from each individual and/or legal person entity who exercises “direct control” over the exchange market or other companies with which it is part of the same economic group, to which it has delivered local currency or local assets, indicating that they have not carried out (nor will they carry out) any of the excluding transactions (a) to (f) of point (vi) above, for 180 consequently days before and 180 consequently days after.
(viii)Communication “A” 7030 of the Argentine Central Bank, dated May 28, 2020, as amended, requires that, for purposes of accessing the FX Market for the outflow of funds, requestor will be required to file an affidavit (i) stating, that as of such date, all of such requestor’s holdings of foreign currency in Argentina are deposited with Argentine financial institutions and that it did not hold, at the beginning of the day on which it requests market access, Argentine certificates of deposit representing foreign shares and/or available liquid assets that together have a value at the beginning of the day on which it requests market access of more than the equivalent of US$100,000 (one hundred thousand U.S. dollars); and (ii) committing to transfer into Argentina and settle for Argentine pesos any foreign currency payments received outside of Argentina from the collection of loans granted to third parties after May 28, 2020, time deposits made after May 28, 2020, or the sale of any asset when the asset was acquired.
(ix)According to section 3.5. of the Consolidated Text of Foreign Exchange of the BCRA, Argentine residents may access the FX Market for the payment of principal or interest under financial debt with third parties, provided that, amongst others, the following requirements are met: (i) the the funds disbursed as of September 1st, 2019 had been entered and settled against pesos in the FX Market; (ii) the operation was declared, if applicable, in the last due presentation of the “Survey of external assets and liabilities” and (iii) access to the FX Market occurs no more than 3 business days prior to the maturity date of the principal or interest due. Also, the Argentine Central Bank authorized the prepayment of principal and interest under foreign financial indebtedness against the settlement of funds received in concept of a new financial indebtedness with foreign parties, or against a canje operation, subject to the compliance with some additional requirements.
(x)The access to the FX Market for the purchase of foreign currency for any of the payments described above is subject to compliance with the foreign indebtedness information regime before the Argentine Central Bank.
Since December 21, 2019, the Argentine congress has enacted the Social Solidarity Law, which, among other things, established a new 30% tax on the purchase by Argentine residents of foreign currency for portfolio purposes, the acquisition of goods and services with credit and debit cards, and any payments in connection with international passenger transportation.
In addition, pursuant to Communication “A” 7082, any persons holding loans granted by the government at subsidized interest rates granted in accordance with Decree No. 332/2020 cannot sell securities for settlement in foreign currency in Argentina or transfer them to custody accounts outside Argentina while those loans are outstanding.
By resolution of the CNV No. 878/2021, dated January 11, 2021, the CNV established that, with certain limited exceptions, in order to process any instruction for the sale of securities acquired with pesos for U.S. dollars outside Argentina, or for the transfer of those securities to depositories outside Argentina, the securities must have been held for at least two business days since the date of their credit in the depository’s custody account.
Pursuant to Decrees Nos. 332/2020 and 376/2020 dated April 1, 2020 and April 20, 2020, respectively, and each as amended, in connection with the COVID-19 crisis, the Argentine government approved government aid for private sector employers. Pursuant to Resolution 591/2020 of the Chief Cabinet of Ministers, entities benefiting from these programs are prohibited from, among other things, making dividend distributions, and purchasing securities with pesos for their sale for foreign currency or transferring to custody accounts outside Argentina.
Law No. 19,359 (revised text pursuant to Decree No. 480/95 and complementary regulations) establishes penalties for the infringement of any foreign exchange regulations. Penalties include fines of up to a tenfold increase in the amount of the infringing transaction, temporary suspensions, disqualification for up to ten years preventing the infringing party from acting as importer, exporter and/or as foreign exchange institution, or even prison in event of recidivism.
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Moreover, since December 13, 2023, importers of good and services with outstanding commercial debts can access international currencies through the purchase of a special bond, BOPREAL, according to Communication “A” 7918. Importers may subscribe these USD bonds only for up to the amount of their outstanding import transactions accumulated as of December 12, 2023. For more information see ‘Item 3D. Risk Factors - Foreign Exchange Controls Affecting Imports of Goods and Services could adversely affect our business’.
For additional information regarding all current foreign exchange restrictions and exchange control regulations in Argentina, investors should consult their legal advisors and read the applicable rules mentioned herein, as well as any amendments and complementary regulations, which are available at the Argentine Central Bank’s website: www.bcra.gob.ar.
E.Taxation
Taxation
The following discussion contains a description of the principal Argentine and United States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase our ordinary shares or ADSs and is not applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules, and does not specifically address all of the Argentine and Unites States federal income tax considerations applicable to any particular holder. This summary is based upon the tax laws of Argentina and the regulations thereunder and the tax laws of United States and the regulations thereunder as in effect on the date of this annual report, which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and to differing interpretations. Each prospective purchaser is urged to consult its own tax adviser about the particular Argentine and United States federal income tax consequences to it of an investment in our ordinary shares or ADSs. This discussion is also based upon the representations of the depositary and on the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement among us, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, as depositary and the registered holders and beneficial owners of the ADSs, and any related documents, will be performed in accordance with its terms.
Material Argentine Tax Considerations
The following opinion of material Argentine tax matters is based upon the tax laws of Argentina and regulations thereunder as of the date of this annual report, and is subject to any subsequent change in Argentine laws and regulations which may come into effect after such date. This section is the opinion of the law firm Marval O’Farrell Mairal, insofar as it relates to matters of Argentine tax law, of the material Argentine tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs. This opinion does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a holder of such securities. No assurance can be given that the courts or tax authorities responsible for the administration of the laws and regulations described in this annual report will agree with this interpretation. Holders should carefully read “Key Information—Risk Factors–Risks Relating to the Offering, Our Ordinary Shares and the ADSs– Interpretation of Argentine tax laws may adversely affect the tax treatment of our ordinary shares and the ADSs”. Holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisers regarding the tax treatment of our ordinary shares and ADSs as it relates to their particular situation.
Laws No. 27,430 and No. 27,541, enacted by the Argentine Congress on December 27, 2017 and December 21, 2019 respectively, made relevant amendments to the Argentine federal tax regime. Such amendments reached, among other laws, the Argentine Income Tax Law (the “ITL”) and the Personal Assets Tax Law. As a result, when we mention provisions of such laws we are referring to laws in force according to such amendments. In certain cases, we will mention Law No. 27,430 and No. 27,541 with the aim of outlining certain particular aspects of those laws.
Taxation on Dividends
The following rules apply to dividends paid to Argentine resident individuals and non-Argentine residents individuals or entities: (i) exempted from income tax if they are paid out of income generated during fiscal years beginning before January 1, 2018 except if the Equalization Tax applies (as explained below); (ii) subject to an income tax withholding rate of 7% if paid out of income generated during fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2018.
These withholding rates might be lower if the holder of our ordinary shares or ADSs is resident of a country which signed a treaty to avoid double taxation with Argentina providing a lower rate and meets all the substantial and formal requirements for such treaty to apply.
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The Equalization Tax is only applicable to dividend distributions paid out of income generated on fiscal years beginning before January 1, 2018, and to the extent that dividends distributed were greater than the income determined according to the application of the Argentine income tax law, accumulated at the fiscal year immediately preceding the year in which the distribution is made, referred to as “Taxable Accumulated Income” The Equalization Tax will be imposed as a withholding tax on the shareholder receiving the dividend.
Capital Gains
Except when a specific exemption applies, gains derived from the transfer of shares, quotas, representative securities and other equity interests, titles, bonds and other securities of Argentine companies are subject to Argentine income tax regardless of the type of beneficiary who obtains the income.
Capital gains realized by Argentine corporate entities (in general, entities organized or incorporated under Argentine law, certain traders and intermediaries, local branches of non-Argentine entities, sole proprietorships and individuals carrying on certain commercial activities in Argentina) derived from the sale, exchange or other disposition of shares or representative securities are subject to income tax at a sliding scale from 25% to 35%, depending on the accumulated net income obtained during the given year Losses from a previous fiscal year as a result of the disposition of shares can only be applied and compensated against net gains resulting from the same kind of transaction, and these losses can be carried forward for five fiscal years.
Capital gains realized by individuals residents in Argentina from the sale of shares and other securities is subject to income tax at a 15% rate on the net gain, unless such securities were traded in stock markets and/or have public offering authorization issued by the CNV, in which case an exemption applies to the extent certain conditions are met.
Such exemption is also applicable for non-Argentine residents subject to certain requirements, as described in the next paragraph. For transactions not covered by the exemption (sale of stock not traded in a stock markets and/or with public offering authorization issued by the CNV), the gain derived from the disposition of shares and representative securities by non-residents is subject to Argentine income tax at a rate of 15% -except if seller is located in a “non-cooperative” jurisdiction, as explained in next paragraph- either (i) on the net amount resulting from deducting from the sale price of the shares, the acquisition cost and the expenses incurred in Argentina necessary for obtaining, maintaining and conserving this asset, as well as the deductions admitted by the ITL or (ii) on the net presumed income provided by the ITL for this type of transaction (i.e., 90%), which results in an effective rate of 13.5% of the gross price. If the exemption does not apply, the buyer resident in Argentina is responsible for making the withholding. Instead, if the buyer is not resident in Argentina, the seller is responsible for paying the tax through its legal representative in Argentina, someone appointed for purposes of paying the tax, or through an international wire transfer.
The exemption mentioned in the prior paragraph is not applicable if the foreign beneficiary is resident in a “non-cooperative jurisdiction” or the invested funds come from one of such jurisdictions. Section 19 of the ITL defines them as any jurisdiction or country that: (i) has not signed an information exchange agreement with Argentina; (ii) has not signed a treaty to avoid double taxation with Argentina; or (iii) has signed either an agreement or convention but does not comply with its obligation to share information with Argentina. According to the ITL, the Argentine Executive Branch will be responsible for issuing this “black list” of non-cooperative jurisdictions. Such blacklist was included in Section 24 of the ITL Regulatory Decree No. 862/2019 on December 6, 2019. This list was amended by Decree No. 4/2023 on January 27, 2023. If, for this reason the exemption is not applicable, the applicable rate is 35% on the net presumed income of 90%, thus the effective withholding rate is 31.5%.
Before the enactment of the tax reform introduced by Law No. 27,430 in the Argentine Income Tax Law, , the tax treatment applicable to gains realized by beneficiaries who were residents and non-residents of Argentina from the sale of ADSs was open to interpretation and it may not have been uniform under the amended Argentine ITL. Possible variations in the treatment of the ADSs for income tax purposes could affect both residents and non-resident of Argentina holders of ADSs. As of the date of this annual report, there are no administrative or judicial decisions clarifying the ambiguity of the law regarding the source of income originated in the sale of ADSs. However, since December 29, 2017, it is clear that the sale of ADSs by non-residents are subject to Income Tax in Argentina unless the underlying shares are covered by the exemption explained above.
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Personal Assets Tax
Argentine entities, such as us, have to pay the personal assets tax corresponding to resident individuals and non-resident individuals and entities for the holding of our ordinary shares. The applicable tax rate is levied on the proportional net worth value (valor patrimonial proporcional), or the book value, of the shares arising from the last balance sheet of the Argentine entity calculated under Argentine GAAP. The applicable rate was 0.25% until 2018 tax period. Under the Law No. 27,541, the rate for this tax is increased to 0.50%, which is applicable from 2019 tax period onwards.
Pursuant to the Personal Assets Tax Law, Argentine companies are entitled to seek reimbursement of such paid tax from the applicable Argentine domiciled individuals and/or foreign domiciled shareholders.
Value Added Tax
The sale, exchange or other disposition of our ordinary shares and ADSs, and the distribution of dividends in connection therewith, are not subject to value added tax.
Tax on Bank Accounts Debits and Credits
Credits to and debits from bank accounts held at Argentine financial institutions, as well as certain cash payments, are subject to this tax, which is assessed at a general rate of 0.6%. There are also increased rates of 1.2% and reduced rates of 0.075% that may apply in certain cases. Owners of bank accounts subject to the 0.6% or 1.2% rate may consider 33% of the tax paid under this tax as a credit against income tax and/or the special contribution on cooperative capital.
The amount not computed may not be subject, under any circumstances, to compensation with other taxes borne by the taxpayer or be reimbursed or transferred to third parties, and may be transferred, until exhaustion, to other fiscal periods of the aforementioned taxes. The amount computed as a tax credit cannot be deducted for income tax purposes.
When financial institutions governed by Law No. 21,526 make payments acting in their own name and on their own behalf, the application of this tax is restricted only to certain specific transactions. Such specific transactions include, among others, dividends or profits distributions.
Law No. 27,264 increased the creditable portion of the tax to 100% for small-sized companies and to 60% to medium-sized companies registered as a Small and Medium Enterprises.
Turnover Tax
In addition, gross turnover tax could be applicable to residents in Argentina on the transfer of shares and on the payment of dividends to the extent such activity is conducted on a regular basis within an Argentine province or within the City of Buenos Aires. However, under the Tax Code of the City of Buenos Aires, any transactions with shares, as well as the payment of dividends are exempt from gross turnover tax.
Holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs are encouraged to consult a tax adviser as to the particular Argentine gross turnover tax consequences derived from holding and disposing of our ordinary shares or ADS.
Stamp Taxes
Stamp tax is a local tax that is levied based on the formal execution of public or private instruments.
Documents subject to stamp tax include, among others, all types of contracts, notarial deeds and promissory notes. Each province and the City of Buenos Aires have its own stamp tax legislation.
Stamp tax rates vary according to the jurisdiction and type of agreement involved. In certain jurisdictions, acts or instruments related to the negotiation of shares and other securities duly authorized for its public offering by the CNV are exempt from stamp tax.
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Tax duties exemption on imports under the Mining Investment Regime and the Large Investment Projects Regime
The Mining Investment Regime set forth by Law 24,196 (as amended and supplemented) promotes investment in capital goods by exemptions on import duties and accelerated depreciation on income tax on imports of capital goods.
Pursuant to the Large Investment Projects Regime set forth by Resolution No. 256/2000, issued by the former Ministry of Economy (as amended), imports of production lines to enhance the production process and involving the process since the raw material enter the production line and until the final product is produced, are also subject to a promotional regime. Applicants must present a project (which, among other things, must include a commitment to acquire up to 20% of the projects’ value in national goods), and which, upon approval, provides for a two-year term import duties exemption on such goods, subject to verification of the goods use.
Other Taxes
There are no Argentine federal inheritance or succession taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of our ordinary shares, except for the court tax applicable in inheritance or succession processes which, if the proceedings is brought before a court sitting in the City of Buenos Aires, will be levied at 1.5% on the assets of the estate. Such rate will vary in each jurisdiction.
The Province of Buenos Aires establishes a tax on free transmission of assets, including inheritance, legacies, donations, etc. Free transmission of our ordinary shares could be subject to this tax.
In the case of litigation regarding the shares before a court of the City of Buenos Aires, a 3% court fee would be charged, calculated on the basis of the claim.
Tax Treaties
Argentina has signed tax treaties for the avoidance of double taxation with several countries, although there is currently no tax treaty or convention in effect between Argentina and the United States.
The above opinion is not intended to be a complete analysis of all tax consequences relating to the ownership or disposition of shares or ADSs. Holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences arising in each particular case.
Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following sets forth the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the ordinary shares or ADSs by U.S. Holders (as defined below), but it does not purport to be a comprehensive discussion of all tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person’s decision to acquire ordinary shares or the ADSs. This summary does not address the effects of any U.S. federal tax laws other than U.S. federal income tax laws (such as estate and gift tax laws) or any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws. This summary is based upon the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury regulations issued thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, each as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No ruling will be sought from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), with respect to any statement or conclusion in this summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge such statement or conclusion in the following summary or, if challenged, that a court will uphold such statement or conclusion.
This summary does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a U.S. Holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances, including the impact of the Medicare tax on net investment income, or to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as certain banks or financial institutions, certain U.S. expatriates, insurance companies, individual retirement accounts, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities that use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting, U.S. Holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, tax-exempt entities, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, entities or arrangements classified as partnerships or other pass through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or holders of equity interests therein, persons liable for alternative minimum tax, U.S. Holders that own, directly, indirectly or constructively, 10% or more of the total voting power or value of our stock, U.S. Holders that are resident in or have a permanent establishment in a jurisdiction outside the United States and persons holding the ordinary shares or ADSs as part of a “straddle”, “hedge”, “conversion
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transaction”, “constructive sale”, "wash sale" or other integrated transaction. In addition, this summary is limited to U.S. Holders who hold the ordinary shares or ADSs as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of the ordinary shares or ADSs that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (iii) any estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or (iv) any trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or if a valid election is in place to treat the trust as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the ordinary shares or ADSs the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and status and the activities of the partnership. A partnership considering an investment in the ordinary shares or ADSs, and partners in such a partnership, should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the ordinary shares or ADSs.
The following discussion generally assumes that we are not, and will not become, a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC"), as defined below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
Prospective purchasers of the ordinary shares or ADSs should consult their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of holding ordinary shares or ADSs in light of their particular circumstances, including the application of the U.S. federal income tax considerations discussed below, as well as the application of other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other tax laws and possible changes in tax law.
Tax Treatment of the ADSs
The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement are true and that the obligations in the deposit agreement and any related agreements will be complied with in accordance with their terms. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of the ADSs generally will be treated as the owner of the ordinary shares represented by such ADSs. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized upon an exchange of the ADSs for the ordinary shares. The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the U.S. Holder of an ADS and the issuer of the security underlying the ADS may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the beneficial ownership of the underlying ordinary shares. Accordingly, the creditability of foreign taxes and the availability of the reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, if any, as described below, could be affected by actions taken by intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the U.S. Holder of an ADS and us.
Dividends
The gross amount of distributions paid with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs (other than certain pro rata distributions of ordinary shares to all shareholders), including the amount of any Argentine taxes withheld, will be treated as dividends on the date actually or constructively received to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital, thereby reducing the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs (but not below zero), and thereafter as either long-term or short-term capital gain depending upon whether the U.S. Holder held the ordinary shares or ADSs for more than one year as of the time such distribution is actually or constructively received. Because we do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. The dividends will be treated as foreign-source income and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations with respect to dividends received from certain other corporations.
Dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders will generally be subject to taxation at reduced rates if the dividends are “qualified dividends”. Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs will be treated as qualified dividends if (i) the ordinary shares or ADSs, as applicable, are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and (ii) we were not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and are not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a PFIC. Our ADSs, but not the ordinary shares themselves, have been approved for listing on the NYSE. The ADSs will qualify as readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States so long as they are so listed. Based on existing guidance, however, we do not believe
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that the ordinary shares that are not represented by ADSs will qualify as readily tradeable on an established securities market in the United States. As a result, we believe that only dividends we pay with respect to the ordinary shares that are represented by ADSs (as opposed to the ordinary shares that are not represented by ADSs) currently have the potential to be treated as qualified dividends. As discussed below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules”, we do not believe we were a PFIC for the taxable year ending December 31, 2023.
Dividends paid in pesos will be included in a U.S. Holder’s income in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of actual or constructive receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. If such a dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. If such a dividend is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder generally will have a basis in the pesos equal to their U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. A U.S. Holder generally will be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss realized on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of such pesos, which will generally be treated as U.S.-source ordinary income or loss.
Dividends received by U.S. Holders will generally constitute passive category income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Subject to limitations under U.S. federal income tax law concerning credits or deductions for foreign taxes, any Argentine taxes withheld from cash dividends on the ordinary shares or ADSs will be treated as a foreign income tax eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (or at a U.S. Holder’s election, may be deducted in computing taxable income if the U.S. Holder has elected to deduct all foreign income taxes for the taxable year). However, amounts withheld on account of the Argentine personal assets tax (as defined in “ —Material Argentine Tax Considerations”) will likely not be eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. Further, recently issued final U.S. Treasury regulations ("Final FTC Regulations") require non-U.S. income tax laws to meet certain requirements in order for such taxes to be creditable for U.S. Holders, and we have not determined whether these requirements have been met with respect to Argentine or any other relevant non-U.S. withholding taxes. However, recent notices (the “Notices”) from the IRS indicate that the U.S. Treasury and the IRS are considering proposing amendments to the Final FTC Regulations and allow taxpayers, subject to certain conditions, to defer the application of many aspects of the Final FTC Regulations until the date when a notice or other guidance withdrawing or modifying this temporary relief is issued (or any later date specified in such notice or other guidance). The rules with respect to foreign tax credits are complex and U.S. Holders are urged to consult their independent tax advisers regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.
Sale or Other Disposition
Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares or ADSs, U.S. Holders will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized on the disposition and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis, determined in U.S. dollars, in the ordinary shares or ADSs. Generally, such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain (taxable at a reduced rate for certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, such as individuals) or loss if the ordinary shares or ADSs were held by the U.S. Holder for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant limitations.
A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or the ADSs generally will equal the cost of such ordinary shares or the ADSs, adjusted by the amount, if any, of distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, and the amount realized on a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares or the ADSs will be the amount received determined on the date of disposition. If an Argentine tax is withheld on the sale or other disposition of the ordinary shares or ADSs, a U.S. Holder’s amount realized will include the gross amount of the proceeds of the sale or other disposition before deduction of the Argentine tax. See “ —Material Argentine Tax Considerations—Capital Gains” for a description of when a disposition of the ordinary shares or ADSs may be subject to taxation by Argentina. This gain or loss will generally be U.S. source gain or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Therefore, a U.S. Holder may have insufficient foreign source income to utilize foreign tax credits attributable to any Argentine tax imposed on a sale or disposition. Moreover, subject to the Notices described above, under the Final FTC Regulations, non-U.S. taxes on disposition gains of U.S. Holders are likely not creditable for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any such Argentine tax on disposition gains that are not creditable may reduce the amount realized from the sale or other disposition or alternatively may be deductible. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers as to whether the Argentine tax on gains may be creditable against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.
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Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
The foregoing discussion of dividends and capital gains assumes that we are not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A non-U.S. corporation will generally be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which the corporation satisfies either of the following requirements:
•at least 75% of its gross income is “passive income;” or
•at least 50% of the quarterly average gross fair market value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce “passive income” or are held for the production of “passive income”.
Passive income for this purpose generally includes, for example dividends, interest, royalties, rents and gains from commodities and securities transactions. In addition, there is a look-through rule for investments in subsidiary corporations. Under this rule, if a non-U.S. corporation owns (directly or indirectly) at least 25 percent of another corporation, the non-U.S. corporation is treated as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and earning its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation for purposes of determining if the non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC.
Based upon the composition of our income, our assets, the nature of our business, and the current price of our ordinary shares and ADSs, our company does not believe it was a PFIC for the taxable year ending December 31, 2023. There can be no assurance, however, that our company will not be considered to be a PFIC for any particular year because PFIC status is factual in nature, depends upon factors not wholly within our company’s control, generally cannot be determined until the close of the taxable year in question, and is determined annually. If our company is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds ordinary shares or ADSs and any of our company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries are also a PFIC, such U.S. Holder will be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisers about the application of the PFIC rules to any of our company’s subsidiaries.
If we were a PFIC in any taxable year, materially adverse U.S. federal income consequences could result for U.S. Holders. If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owned ordinary shares or ADSs, gains recognized by such U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition (including, under certain circumstances, a pledge) of ordinary shares or ADSs would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such ordinary shares or ADSs. The amount allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, and an interest charge would be imposed on the amount allocated to each such taxable year. Further, any distribution on the ordinary shares or ADSs in excess of 125% of the average of the annual distributions on such ordinary shares or ADSs received by a U.S. Holder during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, would be subject to taxation in the same manner as gain, as described immediately above.
If we are classified as a PFIC in any year that a U.S. Holder is a shareholder, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for that U.S. Holder in all succeeding years, even if we cease to be a PFIC in such years.
If a U.S. Holder owns ordinary shares or ADSs during any taxable year in which we are a PFIC, that holder generally will be required to file an IRS Form 8621 annually, generally with the U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax return for that year unless specified exceptions apply. Significant penalties are imposed for failure to file IRS Form 8621, and the failure to file such form may suspend the running of the statute of limitations.
Certain elections may be available that would result in alternative treatment (such as mark-to-market treatment) of the ordinary shares or ADSs if we were a PFIC. U.S. Holders should assume, however, that a “qualified electing fund” or “QEF election” will not be available with respect our ordinary shares or ADSs. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers to determine whether any of these elections would be available and, if so, what the consequences of the alternative treatment would be in their particular circumstances and regarding the application of the PFIC rules to their investment in the ordinary shares or ADSs generally.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments of dividends and proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition (including redemption) of the ordinary shares or ADS by a U.S. or U.S.-connected paying agent or other U.S. or U.S.-connected intermediary, or made into the United States, generally will be reported to the IRS, unless the U.S. Holder is a corporation or otherwise
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establishes a basis for exemption. In addition, certain U.S. Holders may be subject to backup withholding in respect of such payments if they do not provide their taxpayer identification numbers or certification of exempt status.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Foreign Financial Asset Reporting
Certain U.S. Holders that own “specified foreign financial assets”, the aggregate value of which exceeds US$50,000 on the last day of the taxable year (or the aggregate value of which exceeds US$75,000 at any time during the taxable year), generally are required to file an information report with respect to such assets with their tax returns for each year in which they hold the ordinary shares or ADSs, subject to certain exceptions. The ordinary shares and ADSs generally will constitute specified foreign financial assets subject to these reporting requirements unless the ordinary shares or ADSs, as applicable, are held in an account at certain financial institutions. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the application of these disclosure requirements to their ownership of the ordinary shares or ADSs.
F.Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G.Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H.Documents on Display
We file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC that apply to foreign private issuers. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act relating to the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we intend to file with the SEC, within 120 days after the end of each subsequent fiscal year, an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by our independent auditors. We also intend to furnish with the SEC reports on Form 6-K containing unaudited quarterly financial information. Any filings we make electronically are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov/.
We will post our annual reports filed with the SEC on our website at http://www.lomanegra.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this or any other report filed with or furnished to the SEC. We will also furnish hard copies of such reports to our shareholders free of charge upon written request.
I.Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
J.Annual Report to Security Holders
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risks arising from our normal business activities. These market risks principally involve the possibility that changes in interest rate or exchange rates will adversely affect the value of our financial assets and liabilities or future cash flows and earnings. Liquidity risk is the risk of us not complying with all of our obligations as a result of a decrease in the fair value of our investments, an excessive concentration of liabilities from a particular source, the mismatch between assets and liabilities, the lack of liquidity of assets or the funding of long term assets with short-term liabilities, among other possible risks. We could enter into derivatives and other financial instruments for purposes other than trading, in order to manage and reduce the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. These instruments are intended to reduce the impacts of any devaluation of the peso against the U.S. dollar and any increase in international interest rates on U.S. dollar liabilities.
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Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk because a significant portion of our indebtedness bears interest at floating rates. As of December 31, 2023, our total outstanding borrowings on a consolidated basis was Ps. 147,370 million, where 24.4% of the company's consolidated loans accrued interest at a variable rate, including Ps. 29,061 million of Corporate Bonds that bore interest at rates based on Badlar, and Ps. 6,950 million of borrowings with other floating interest rate.
In the event that the average BADLAR rate applicable to our financial liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2023 were 1.0% higher than the average interest rate during such period, our financial expenses in the same period would have increased by approximately 224 million.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Our liabilities that are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk are denominated in U.S. dollars. To partially offset our risk of any depreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar, from time to time we may enter into derivative or dollar linked contracts. Because we borrow in U.S. dollars in international or local markets to fund our operations and investments, we are exposed to market risks from changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates.
Our foreign currency exposure gives rise to market risks associated with exchange rate movements. A significant portion of our borrowings are denominated in foreign currency. As of December 31, 2023, our consolidated foreign currency-denominated borrowings was Ps. 111,359 million, denominated in U.S. dollars.
As of December 31, 2023 we did not have foreign currency derivative financial instruments.
In the event that the peso was to depreciate by 25% against the U.S. dollar as compared to the peso/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of December 31, 2023, our foreign currency denominated indebtedness as of December 31, 2023 would have increased by approximately Ps. 28,616 million.
Additionally, considering the exchange regulations and restrictions currently applicable in Argentina, the Group constantly monitors the alternatives for collecting assets and settling liabilities in foreign currency and the related impact. The gain/loss arising from the use of financial instruments to settle transactions in foreign currency is recognized when the Group unconditionally commits to or irreversibly executes such settlement. As of December 31, 2023, the use of financial instruments to settle the above transactions would result in an impact of approximately 21%.
Liquidity Risk
Our board of directors has the ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management and has established an appropriate framework allowing our management to handle financing requirements for the short-, medium-and long-term. We manage liquidity risk by maintaining reserves, obtaining loan facilities, continuously monitoring projected and real cash flows, and reconciling maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.
We consider that the liquidity risk exposure is low since we have been generating cash flow from our operating activities, supported on strong profits and have access to loans and financial resources. However, if we are unable to access the capital markets to finance our operations in the future, this could adversely affect our ability to obtain additional capital to grow our business. See “Item 3.D Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry—Management’s plans to obtain sufficient funds to settle current liabilities may not be accomplished and hence we may have negative working capital in the near future”.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
A.Debt Securities
Not applicable.
B.Warrants and Rights
Not applicable.
C.Other Securities
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Not applicable.
D.American Depositary Shares
Fees and Expenses
The depositary may charge, and collect from, (i) each person to whom ADSs are issued, including, without limitation, issuances against deposits of shares, issuances in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions, issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us, or issuances pursuant to a merger, exchange of securities or any other transaction or event affecting the ADSs, and (ii) each person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of deposited securities or whose ADSs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason, US$5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued, delivered, reduced, cancelled or surrendered, or upon which a share distribution or elective distribution is made or offered (as the case may be).
In addition, the following additional fees, charges and expenses shall also be incurred by an ADS holder:
(1) a fee of US$0.05 or less per ADS held for any cash distribution made, or for any elective cash/stock dividend offered, pursuant to the deposit agreement;
(2) a fee for the distribution or sale of securities, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities but which securities or the net cash proceeds from the sale thereof are instead distributed by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto;
(3) an aggregate fee of US$0.05 or less per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof) for services performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs (which fee may be charged on a periodic basis during each calendar year and shall be assessed against ADS holders as of the record date or record dates set by the depositary during each calendar year and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the depositary by billing such ADS holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions), and
(4) an amount for the reimbursement of such charges and expenses as are incurred by the depositary and/or any of its agents (including, without limitation, the custodian and charges and expenses incurred on behalf of ADS holders in connection with compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in connection with the servicing of the shares, the sale of securities (including, without limitation, deposited securities), the delivery of deposited securities or otherwise in connection with the depositary’s or its custodian’s compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation (which charges and expenses may be assessed on a proportionate basis against ADS holders as of the record date or dates set by the depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the depositary by billing such ADS holders or by deducting such charge or expense from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions).
We will pay all other fees, charges and expenses of the depositary and any agent of the depositary (except the custodian) pursuant to agreements from time to time between us and the depositary, except: (i) stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges (which are payable by ADS holders or persons depositing shares); (ii) a transaction fee per cancellation request (including through SWIFT, telex and facsimile transmission) as disclosed on the “Disclosures” page (or successor page) of www.adr.com (as updated by the Depositary from time to time, “ADR.com”) and any applicable delivery expenses (which are payable by such persons or Holders); an (iii) transfer or registration expenses for the registration or transfer of deposited securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of deposited securities (which are payable by persons depositing shares or ADS holders withdrawing deposited securities).
The right of the depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive the termination of the deposit agreement. Upon the resignation or removal of the depositary, such right shall extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness of such resignation or removal.
The depositary anticipates reimbursing us for certain expenses incurred by us that are related to the establishment and maintenance of the ADR program upon such terms and conditions as the company and the depositary may agree from time to time. The depositary may make available to us a set amount or a portion of the depositary fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary may agree from time to time.
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PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
A.Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders
None.
B.Material Modifications to the Rights of any Class of Registered Securities
None.
C.Withdrawal or Substitution of a Material Amount of the Assets Securing any Class of Registered Securities
None.
D.Changes in the Trustee or Paying Agents for any Registered Securities
None.
E.Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as that term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act, as amended, as of December 31, 2023. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. We performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file with or submit to the SEC under the Exchange Act, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure. Based upon our evaluations, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance of their reliability, as of December 31, 2023.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management, under the supervision of our CEO and CFO, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as that term is defined under Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of our company;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and
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(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use or disposition of our company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As required by Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules as promulgated by the SEC, our management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, management used the criteria established in the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on such assessment, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
As required by Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules as promulgated by the SEC, Pistrelli, Henry Martin y Asociados S.R.L., a member of Ernst & Young Global Limited, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 included in this annual report, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting set forth in our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in this annual report beginning at Page F-1.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting During the Year Ended December 31, 2023
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the year of 2023 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16. [RESERVED]
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our board of directors has determined that Carlos Boero Hughes who is currently serving on our Audit Committee, is “audit committee financial experts” as defined by the SEC’s rules, have the requisite accounting or related financial management expertise under the rules of the NYSE and is independent under CNV regulations, Rule 10A-3 and the applicable NYSE standards. Mr. Hughes biographical information is included in “Directors, Senior Management and Employees”.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
As of August 28, 2018, Loma Negra adopted and communicated the new version of the Code of Ethics, named Code of Business Conduct, which complies with NYSE and local regulation’s standards. Likewise, the Code of Business Conduct is posted on our web site at: http://www.lomanegra.com/en/compliance/. Such Code of Business Conduct applies to our employees, directors, managers, shareholders and officers as well as contractors, subcontractors, brokers, suppliers, customers and generally, all parties that provide services to Loma Negra, or on its behalf. Pursuant to Item 16B of Form 20-F, if a waiver or amendment of the code of conduct (including the code of ethics) applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other persons performing similar functions and relates to standards promoting any of the values described, we will disclose such waiver or amendment on our website within four business days following the date of amendment or waiver in accordance with the requirements of Instruction 4 to such Item 16B. In addition, we did not grant any waivers or make amendments to our Code of Business Conduct during the year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
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The following table describes the amounts billed to us by the independent registered public accounting firm, Pistrelli, Henry Martin y Asociados S.R.L. (member of Ernst & Young Global Limited), for audit and other services performed in fiscal years 2023 and 2022 (stated in the current measurement unit as of December 31, 2023):
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
(In thousands of Ps.) | |||||||||||
Audit fees (1) | 902,003 | 870,266 | |||||||||
Tax fees (2) | 5,234 | 3,527 | |||||||||
Other non-audit fees (3) | 846 | 2,647 | |||||||||
| Total | 908,083 | 876,440 | |||||||||
________________
(1)Includes fees for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting of the company. It includes the audit of annual consolidated financial statements and reviews of quarterly consolidated financial statements. Also includes services typically provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(2)Includes fees for professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm, in each fiscal year, for tax compliance, mainly related to expatriate services.
(3)Includes fees for training services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee approved 100% of the fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm for audit-related, non-audit and tax fees in fiscal year 2023.
The engagement of any service rendered by our external auditor or any of its affiliates to Loma Negra or any of its subsidiaries must always have the prior approval of our Audit Committee. Such committee has developed a pre-approval policy regarding the engagement of professional services by our external auditor in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This policy establishes the obligation to obtain prior approval from our Audit Committee for any service to be rendered by our external auditor to Loma Negra or any of its subsidiaries.
The Audit Committee has delegated the authority to grant pre-approvals for the auditor’s services to one of its members. The decision of this member to pre-approve a service is presented to the full Audit Committee at the next scheduled meeting.
The General Annual Shareholders’ Meeting designates the external auditor.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Because we are a “foreign private issuer” and a “controlled company”, the NYSE rules applicable to us are considerably different from those applied to domestic companies that are not “controlled companies”. Accordingly, we take advantage of certain exemptions from NYSE governance requirements provided in the NYSE rules for “foreign private issuers”. Subject to the items listed below, we currently follow certain Argentine practices concerning corporate governance:
•Director Independence. The NYSE rules provide that the board of directors of a domestic listed company must have a majority of independent directors in accordance with NYSE independence requirements.
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“Controlled companies” are not required to comply with this requirement. Under Argentine corporate governance practices, an Argentine company is not required to have a majority of independent members on its board of directors. Currently, our board of directors is composed of nine members of whom four are independent in accordance with CNV independence requirements.
•Executive Sessions. The NYSE rules require the non-management directors of domestic listed companies to meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management being present. There is no similar requirement under Argentine law, however the recently enacted new Code of Corporate Governance of the CNV includes as a good practice the holding of board of directors meetings where only non-executive directors (including independent Directors) participate regularly. Loma Negra has adopted such practice. Under Argentine law there is a requirement that the board of directors meets at least once every three (3) months.
•Audit Committee. The NYSE rules require domestic listed companies to have an audit committee with a minimum of three independent directors and a written charter that covers certain minimum specified duties. In addition, the audit committee must comply with Rule 10A-3 and have at least one member with requisite accounting or related financial management expertise and each member of the audit committee must satisfy the independence and financial literacy set forth in the NYSE rules. As a foreign private issuer, we are only required to comply with Rule 10A-3. Pursuant to the LMC, and its corresponding regulations, listed companies in Argentina are required to have an audit committee consisting of at least three members of our board of directors, the majority of which must be independent directors. We have elected to voluntarily comply with all financial management expertise, independence and financial literacy requirements of the NYSE. The Audit Committee has a written charter describing its duties and responsibilities.
•Compensation and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees. The NYSE rules require domestic listed companies to maintain compensation and nominating/corporate governance committees, which must consist solely of independent directors and must have a written charter that addresses certain matters specified in the listing standards. “Controlled companies” are not required to comply with this requirement. Under Argentine law, an Argentine company may, but is not required to, form special governance committees, which may be composed partially or entirely of non-independent directors. As of the date of this annual report, the Company has the following Committees: (i) Results, Finance and Strategy Committee; (ii) People and Governance Committee; (iii) Risk and Reputation Committee; (iv) Ethics & Compliance Committee; (v) Disclosure Policy Committee; (vi) Committee for the Approval of Transactions with Securities; and (vii) Audit Committee. For more information, see “Item 6 C. Committees of the Board of Directors”
•Shareholder Approval of Equity Compensation Plans. The NYSE rules require shareholders of domestic listed companies to be given the opportunity to vote on all equity-compensation plans and material revisions thereto, with limited exemptions. Under Argentine law, the basic terms of the equity-compensation plans should be considered at the general shareholders’ meeting, but permits delegation to the board of directors. We have elected to rely on the exemption from these NYSE rules requirement available to foreign private issuers and we comply with our home country practices regarding corporate governance.
•Corporate Governance Guidelines. The NYSE rules require domestic listed companies to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines that cover certain minimum specified subjects related to director qualifications and responsibilities. Argentine law does not require the adoption or disclosure of corporate governance guidelines. The CNV Rules contain recommended guidelines for listed companies referred to as Code of Corporate Governance and the board of directors must describe the level of compliance with the guidelines and recommendations in such Code of Corporate Governance in its annual report. As of the date of this annual report, we are in the process of adopting a corporate governance manual which shall be in compliance with the CNV Rules and shall comprise all corporate governance practices already adopted by Loma Negra. Notwithstanding this, we file on an annual basis before CNV a report regarding the status of compliance of such recommended corporate governance guidelines.
•Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The NYSE rules require domestic listed companies to adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers. We are currently subject to Loma Negra’s code of corporate conduct. Such Code of Business Conduct applies to our employees, directors,
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managers, shareholders and officers as well as contractors, subcontractors, brokers, suppliers, customers and generally, all parties that provide services to Loma Negra, or on its behalf. The Code of Business Conduct is available on our website at https://www.lomanegra.com/compliance/ .
Furthermore, as a “controlled company”, we are eligible to, and, in the event we no longer qualify as a “foreign private issuer”, we intend to, elect not to comply with certain of the NYSE corporate governance standards, including the requirement that a majority of directors on our board of directors are independent directors and the requirement to maintain a compensation, nominating/corporate governance committee consisting entirely of independent directors. For additional information, see “Item 3.D Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Ordinary Shares and the ADSs—Our status as a “foreign private issuer” and as a “controlled company” allows us to follow alternate standards to the corporate governance standards of the NYSE, which may limit the protections afforded to investors”.
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16I. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
ITEM 16J. INSIDER TRADING POLICIES
On November 1, 2017, our board of directors adopted an Insider Trading Policy, amended by the board of directors on July 4, 2018 and again on May 11, 2020. This policy establishes comprehensive procedures and restrictions on trading in the Company's securities by Loma Negra personnel, as well as securities of any other companies. It is designed to promote compliance with applicable insider trading laws, which are enforced in Argentina and the U.S., as well as with rules, regulations, and any listing standards applicable to our company.
The policy applies to all directors, officers, employees of Loma Negra, supervisory board members, controlling shareholders and their representatives or employees and it includes specific procedures and restrictions to prevent inadvertent violations of insider trading laws and manages potential adverse impacts on the company and its audiences.
The policy's rigorous approach to the prevention of insider trading also extends to imposing harsh consequences for failure to adhere to its guidelines and procedures, including disciplinary action up to immediate termination of service and potential legal prosecution.
Loma Negra's Insider Trading Policy serves as an integral part of the company’s overall commitment to legal and ethical conduct, and its adherence to the stringent regulations that govern its operations in the securities market. A copy of this policy is included as Exhibit 11 to this annual report.
ITEM 16K. CYBERSECURITY
Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(1) Cybersecurity incident means an unauthorized occurrence, or a series of related unauthorized occurrences, on or conducted through a registrant’s information systems that jeopardizes the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of a registrant’s information systems or any information residing therein.
(2) Cybersecurity threat means any potential unauthorized occurrence on or conducted through a registrant’s information systems that may result in adverse effects on the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of a registrant’s
information systems or any information residing therein.
(3) Information systems means electronic information resources, owned or used by the registrant, including physical or virtual infrastructure controlled by such information resources, or components thereof, organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, or disposition of the registrant’s information to maintain or support the registrant’s operations.
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Risk management and strategy.
Loma Negra has processes in place to assess, identify and manage material risks arising from cybersecurity threats, which have been integrated into its overall risk management programs. We consider cybersecurity incidents a critical risk. Executive management works with our Information Security Team to periodically review our cybersecurity situation and IT-related security risks, as well as our ability and plans to mitigate and respond to cybersecurity risks.
We have two specialized Information Security teams, comprised of internal staff and external consultants: the Vulnerability Management and Pentesting Team, and the Monitoring and Event Management Team.
The Vulnerability Management and Pentesting Team is in charge of identifying and mitigating potential risks in our systems through penetration testing and proactive vulnerability management, while the Monitoring and Event Management Team is dedicated to detecting and responding to any deviations or unusual behavior of our systems that may indicate an intrusion or security threat.
Both teams report to the Information Security Leader and work closely together to ensure a comprehensive defense of our systems.
Managing security risks associated with third parties (customers and suppliers) is a priority to ensure the protection of our assets and the confidentiality of sensitive data. To this end, we implement a process of evaluation and monitoring of our suppliers, and we have a policy for hiring technology suppliers, which requires the participation and approval of the Information Security Leader and the Compliance Leader for all new hires.
Governance
Our board of directors assumes a central role in strategic oversight, supported by specialized committees for specific risk supervision. We highlight the independence of our Information Security team, which reports directly to the CEO and operates independently from IT Management. This structure ensures impartial and effective risk management, which is crucial to our operational integrity and the confidence of our stakeholders.
Although we do not have a dedicated cybersecurity committee, this critical area is under the direct supervision of our Internal Audit, Risk and SOX Manager. This manager, in turn, reports to both the Audit Committee and the Risk Committee. Both committees meet quarterly to review and discuss information security issues, ensuring continuous and specialized oversight.
Our cybersecurity oversight strategy is based on the adoption of industry-leading frameworks such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines and the Center for Internet Security (CIS), complemented by external audits performed by specialized consulting firms. These frameworks enhance our ability to proactively identify vulnerabilities and manage incidents effectively, aligning our practices with international security standards.
Loma Negra developed a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan that provides a structured and organized framework for the effective management of cybersecurity incidents. This plan seeks to ensure efficient containment of the attack, eradication of the threat, and operational recovery. In addition, we have a Communication Plan that stipulates the immediate notification of any high or critical risk incident to the relevant committees, ensuring a rapid and coordinated response. In the process of strengthening our digital defenses, we are implementing Microsoft 365 security tools. This significant technology upgrade enhances our capabilities in advanced threat protection, identity and access management, as well as incident analysis and response. This advancement, along with our proactive approach to adopting cybersecurity controls, underscores our continued investment in the security of our infrastructure and data.
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable.
142
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our audited consolidated financial statements are included in this annual report beginning at Page F-1.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number | Description of Document | |||||||
1.1* | ||||||||
| 2.1 | ||||||||
| 2.2 | ||||||||
| 4.1 | ||||||||
| 4.2+ | ||||||||
| 4.3+ | ||||||||
| 8.1 | ||||||||
11* | ||||||||
| 12.1* | ||||||||
| 12.2* | ||||||||
| 13.1** | ||||||||
| 15.1* | ||||||||
| 96.1 | ||||||||
97.1* | ||||||||
| 101. INS* | Inline XBRL Instance Document. | |||||||
| 101.SCH* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |||||||
| 101.CAL* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Calculation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.DEF* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Definition Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.LAB* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Label Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.PRE* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 104* | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |||||||
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
+ Management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.
143
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
Date: April 29, 2024 | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | ||||
| [/s/ Sergio D. Faifman] | |||||
| Name: Sergio D. Faifman | |||||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | |||||
| [/s/ Marcos I. Gradin] | |||||
| Name: Marcos I. Gradin | |||||
| Title: Chief Financial Officer | |||||
| Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima | ||||||||
Consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 of Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in shareholders´ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated April 29, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Impairment of Property, plant and equipment
Description of the matter
As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) amounts to Argentine pesos (“Ps.”) 482,127 million. As mentioned in Note 13.1. to the consolidated financial statements, the Company carries out an impairment analysis of the amount of these assets when an indicator is identified and suggests that their carrying amount could be less than their recoverable value, which is defined as the highest between its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. The Company determined the recoverable value of PP&E based on discounted future cash flows, calculated for each cash generating unit (“CGU”).
Auditing the Company´s PP&E impairment test is complex and highly judgmental due to the significant assumptions and estimates applied by the Company's Management to determine the recoverable value, that are subject to uncertainty related to future events and the impact of the expectations about future market and macroeconomic conditions.
F-1
How we addressed the matter in our audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of the controls over the Company´s impairment analysis process. For example, we tested controls over the determination of recoverable values, including the valuation models and underlying assumptions used to develop such estimates.
To test the impairment analysis of PP&E our audit procedures included, among others, involving professionals with specialized skills and knowledge in valuation techniques to assist us in evaluating the methodology used by the Company in the determination of discounted cash flows and the significant assumptions used by the Company for determining future cash flows, including discount rates, macroeconomic variables, expected growth rates, price variation levels, expected profit margins, and the required levels of investment in PP&E and working capital for each CGU; comparing those significant assumptions with the Company's historical trend and with information obtained from industry reports and other external information sources; carrying out a sensitivity analysis of changes in the recoverable value in relation to changes in the mentioned significant assumptions; testing the completeness and accuracy of the data used in the recoverable value estimates and testing the mathematical accuracy of the model developed by the Company. We also evaluated the disclosures related to this matter included in the consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated net assets and disclosures related to the Ferrosur Roca railway concession
Description of the matter
As mentioned in Note 2.5. to the consolidated financial statements, the Company consolidates the financial information of its controlled company Ferrosur Roca S.A., that operates the General Roca National Cargo Railway Network pursuant to the concession by the Argentina National Government. The concession original term ended in March 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the recorded amounts of the assets and liabilities related to the concession amount to Ps. 12,451 million and Ps. 9,691 million, respectively.
As mentioned in Note 38. to the consolidated financial statements, although the concession contract provided the possibility of an additional ten-year extension, the Ministry of Transportation has rejected the request for the extension of the concession contracts submitted by all the private railway concessionaires, granting only a temporary extension for 18 months, while the stated objective of the National Government is to begin managing the railroad network infrastructure directly, carrying out the corresponding investments and allowing the provision of railway services to registered operators. As a result, the concession of Ferrosur Roca S.A. would end in September 2024.
Auditing the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures related to the railway concession of Ferrosur Roca S.A. is complex and highly judgmental due to the assumptions about future events and conditions used by the Company´s Management to assess the impacts of the termination of the concession and the potential continuity as a railway operator, that are described in Note 38. to the consolidated financial statements.
How we addressed the matter in our audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of the controls over the Company´s assessment of the Ferrosur Roca concession. For example, we tested controls over management’s review of significant assumptions described in Note 38. to the consolidated financial statements.
To test management assessment our audit procedures included, among others, obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the concession; reading the concession contract and other related agreements and documentation; reading the Company's internal and external legal advisors’ reports; reading the filings and correspondence with the relevant authorities in relation to the application to be a railway operator; obtaining an understanding of the plans of the Company in relation to the potential railway operator business and evaluating the assessment performed by the management over the useful lives and recoverability of related assets. We also assessed the Company’s disclosures regarding Ferrosur Roca S.A. railway concession in the consolidated financial statements.
/s/ PISTRELLI, HENRY MARTIN Y ASOCIADOS S.R.L.
Member of Ernst & Young Global Limited
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.
April 29, 2024
F-2
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima (the “Company”)´s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated statements of financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in shareholders´ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes, and our report dated April 29, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PISTRELLI, HENRY MARTIN Y ASOCIADOS S.R.L.
Member of Ernst & Young Global Limited
City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
April 29, 2024
F-3
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 6 | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 7 | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of property, plant and equipment | 13 | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other gains and losses | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax on debits and credits to bank accounts | 9 | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| FINANCIAL RESULTS, NET | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange rate differences | 10 | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on net monetary position | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial income | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial expenses | 10 | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Profit before tax | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| INCOME TAX EXPENSE | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | 11 | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred | 11 | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| NET PROFIT FOR THE YEAR | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owners of the parent company | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-controlling interest | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| NET PROFIT | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income attributable to: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owners of the parent company | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-controlling interest | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share (basic and diluted) | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023, AS COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 31, 2022
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
| As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Notes | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-current assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 13 | ||||||||||||||||
| Right of use assets | 14 | ||||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
| Investments | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | 17 | ||||||||||||||||
| Inventories | 18 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other receivables | 20 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total non-current assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Inventories | 18 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other receivables | 20 | ||||||||||||||||
| Trade accounts receivable | 21 | ||||||||||||||||
| Investments | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and banks | 22 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | |||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023, AS COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 31, 2022
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
| As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Notes | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | |||||||||||||||||
| Capital stock and other capital related accounts | 23 | ||||||||||||||||
| Reserves | |||||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity attributable to owners of the parent company | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-controlling interest | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | 14 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provisions | 26 | ||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and social security contributions | |||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 28 | ||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | 11 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total non-current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | 14 | ||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | 25 | ||||||||||||||||
| Advances from customers | |||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and social security contributions | |||||||||||||||||
| Tax liabilities | 27 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 28 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity and liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
| Owners’ contributions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital stock | Treasury shares | Capital adjustments | Treasury shares adjustments | Share premium | Treasury shares premium | Treasury shares trading premium | Merger premium | Cost of treasury shares | Share-based payment plans | Legal reserve | Environmental reserve | Optional Reserve for Future Dividends | Retained earnings | Shareholders’ equity attributable to owners of the parent company | Non-controlling interest | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of January 1, 2023 | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payment plans (Note 19) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granting of share-based payment plans (Note 23) | ( | ( | ( | - | ( | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appropriation as per Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held April 25, 2023: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - Optional reserve | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - Capital reduction | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appropriation as per Board of Directors’ Resolution of May 2, 2023: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - Payment of dividends | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | - | ( | - | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appropriation as per Board of Directors’ Resolution of June 23, 2023: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - Payment of dividends | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | - | ( | - | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income for the year | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of December 31, 2023 | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2022
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
| Owners’ contributions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital Stock | Treasury shares | Capital adjustments | Treasury shares adjustments | Share premium | Treasury shares premium | Treasury shares trading premium | Merger premium | Cost of treasury shares | Share-based payment plans | Legal reserve | Environmental reserve | Optional Reserve for Future Dividends | Retained earnings | Shareholders’ equity attributable to owners of parent company | Non-controlling interest | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of January 1, 2022 | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of treasury stock (Note 19) | ( | ( | ( | - | - | ( | - | - | - | - | - | ( | - | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payment plans (Note 14) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granting of share-based plans | ( | ( | ( | - | ( | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appropriation as per Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held April 14, 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - Payment of dividends | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | - | ( | - | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appropriation as per Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held April 27, 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - Optional reserve | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appropriation as per Board of Directors’ Resolution of July 1, 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - Payment of dividends | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | - | ( | - | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appropriation as per Board of Directors’ Resolution of December 27, 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - Payment of dividends | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | - | ( | - | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income for the year | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of December 31, 2022 | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F-8
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
| Owners contributions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital Stock | Treasury shares | Capital adjustments | Treasury shares adjustments | Share premium | Treasury shares premium | Merger premium | Cost of treasury shares | Share-based payment plans | Legal reserve | Environmental reserve | Optional Reserve for Future Dividends | Retained earnings | Shareholders’ equity attributable to owners of the parent company | Non-controlling interest | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appropriation as per Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held April 20, 2021: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - Optional reserve | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of treasury stock (Note 19) | ( | ( | ( | - | ( | - | - | - | - | - | ( | - | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payment plans (Note 23) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income for the year | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2021 | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-9
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||||||||
| Net profit for the year | |||||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash generated by operating activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Provisions | |||||||||||||||||
| Exchange rate differences | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payments | |||||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| (Recovery) charge of allowance for other doubtful receivables | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss from securities transactions | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of property, plant and equipment | |||||||||||||||||
| Gain on net monetary position | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Inventories | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Other receivables | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Trade accounts receivable | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Advances from customers | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | |||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and social security contributions | |||||||||||||||||
| Provisions | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Tax liabilities | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax paid | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash generated by operating activities | |||||||||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of interest in Yguazú Cementos S.A. | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment | |||||||||||||||||
| Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Payments to acquire intangibles assets | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Payments to acquire investments | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Redemption of investments | |||||||||||||||||
| Contributions to FFFSFI | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from borrowings | |||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of corporate bonds | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Lease payments | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Repayment of borrowings | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year (Note 29) | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect of restating in constant currency of cash and cash equivalents | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Effects of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents in foreign currency | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year (Note 29) | |||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-10
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
1. LEGAL INFORMATION
Legal address:
Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina S.A. (hereinafter “Loma Negra”, “the Company” or “the Group”) is a corporation organized under the laws of the Argentine Republic with legal address in Boulevard Cecilia Grierson 355, 4th. Floor, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina .
Fiscal year number:
Fiscal year No. 99 beginning on January 1, 2023.
Principal business of the Company:
The Company and its subsidiaries, mentioned below, are referred to in these financial statements as “the Group”.
The main activity of the Group is the manufacturing and selling of cement and its derivatives, as well as the extraction of mineral resources that are used in the production process. At present, the Group has 8 cement factories in Argentina, in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Neuquén, San Juan and Catamarca. The Company also has mobile concrete plants adaptable to customer construction projects at all times.
The Group, through its subsidiary Cofesur S.A.U., has a controlling interest in Ferrosur Roca S.A., a company whose capital is owned by Cofesur S.A.U. with 80 % interest, the National State with a 16 % interest, and 4 % has been transferred by the latter to the employees through a trust created for such purpose. Ferrosur Roca S.A. operates the railway cargo network of Ferrocarril Roca under a concession granted by the Argentine government in 1993 for a term of 30 years , which allows access of several of Loma Negra’s cement production plants to the railway network. As a result of the National Government’s decision to terminate to the existing railway concession system in Argentina and shift to an open access model with the participation of private rail operators, the above concession ended in March 2023. However, on December 22, 2022, the Ministry of Transport published Resolution No. 960/2022 in the Official Gazette, provisionally extending for 18 months the concessions of FerroExpreso Pampeano S.A., Nuevo Central Argentino S.A. and Ferrosur Roca S.A. as from the expiration date of their respective concessions; therefore, the concession of Ferrosur Roca S.A. will end in September 2024. The Group has assessed potential business scenarios based on its intention to continue delivering services as a rail network operator, as described in Note 38.
The Group also controls Recycomb S.A.U., a company engaged in the treatment and recycling of industrial waste for use as fuel or raw material.
Date of registration with the Argentinian General Inspection of Justice (local regulatory agency):
•Registration of the bylaws: August 5, 1926, under No 38, Book 46.
•Last amendment registered to the bylaws: September 26, 2023, under No 16,416, book 114, Corporations Volume.
•Correlative Number of Registration with Inspección General de Justicia (local regulatory agency): 1,914,357.
•Tax identification number (CUIT): 30-50053085-1.
•Date of expiration: July 3, 2116.
Parent company:
InterCement Trading e Inversiones Argentina S.L. with 52.1409 % of the Company’s capital stock and votes.
F-11
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Capital structure:
The Ordinary and Extraordinary General Shareholders' Meeting, held on April 25, 2023, approved, among other issues,
the voluntary reduction of the Company's capital stock for a total of 12,543,339 ordinary shares, which includes
Considering the aforementioned, as of December 31, 2023, the subscribed for and paid in capital amounts to $58,348,315 .10, represented by 583,483,151 book-entry common shares with a nominal value of $0.10 each, and each entitling to one vote.
2. BASIS OF PREPARATION OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2.1 Statement of compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and bases of preparation of these consolidated financial statements
The consolidated financial statements of the Group as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 have been prepared and presented in accordance with the IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).
These consolidated financial statements comprehensively recognize the effects of variations in the purchasing power of currency through the application of the method to restate the consolidated financial statements in constant currency, as established by the International Accounting Standard 29 (IAS 29).
For comparative purposes, these consolidated financial statements include figures and other details corresponding to the fiscal years ended on December 31, 2022 and 2021, which are an integral part of the above-mentioned consolidated financial statements and are presented in order for them to be solely interpreted in accordance with the figures and other information for this current fiscal year. These figures have been restated in the current fiscal year’s end-of-period currency in the manner described in the following section in order to allow comparability.
2.2. Financial information presented in constant currency
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023, and the corresponding figures for prior fiscal years have been restated to consider changes in the general purchasing power of the Group’s functional currency (the Argentine Peso) in accordance with the provisions included in IAS 29. As a result, the consolidated financial statements are stated in constant currency as at the end of the current fiscal year.
According to IAS 29, the restatement of the financial statements is necessary when the functional currency of an entity is that of a hyperinflationary economy. IAS 29 provides certain guidelines for illustrative purposes to define a situation in which hyperinflation is deemed to arise, including (i) analysis of general population behavior, prices, interest rate, and salaries in the face of changes in price indexes and the loss of the currency purchasing power and (ii) as a quantitative feature, which is the condition more frequently considered in practice, the existence of a cumulative three-year inflation rate that approximates or exceeds 100 %.
In order to assess the above-mentioned quantitative condition and also to restate financial statements, the series of indices to be used in the application of IAS 29 is determined by FACPCE. These series combines the Consumer Price Index (CPI) at the national level and as published by Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (Official Statistics Bureau, “INDEC” as per the initials in Spanish) as from January 2017 (baseline month: December 2016) with the Wholesale Domestic Price Index (IPIM, for its acronym in Spanish) as published by INDEC until that date, computing for the months of November and December 2015, for which INDEC has no information with respect to changes in the IPIM, the variation in the CPI of the City of Buenos Aires.
F-12
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Taking such index into account, inflation was 211.40 %, 94.79 % and 50.94 % in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and more than 100 % accumulated in three years during each of the years presented was reached.
Below is a summary of the methods of applying IAS 29.
Restatement of the statement of financial position:
(i) Monetary items (those with a fixed nominal value in local currency) are not restated because they are already stated at the current unit of measurement as of the end of the reporting period. In an inflationary period, holding monetary assets causes losses in the purchasing power and holding monetary liabilities generates gains in the purchasing power, provided that such items are not subject to an adjustment mechanism that may otherwise offset these effects. Monetary gains or losses are included in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for every fiscal year.
(ii) The assets and liabilities that are subject to changes based on specific agreements are adjusted on the basis of such agreements.
(iii) Non-monetary assets and liabilities measured at fair values as of the balance sheet date are not inflation-restated for presentation purposes in the statement of financial position, however, their restated amounts are used to measure the gains or losses caused by holdings of such non-monetary items. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Group did not have non-monetary items measured at fair value.
(iv) Non-monetary items measured at historical cost or at the current value of a date prior to the end of the reporting fiscal year are restated by coefficients that reflect the variations in the general price level since the date of acquisition or revaluation through the end of the reporting period. Subsequently, the restated amounts of such assets are compared to the corresponding recoverable values at the end of the reporting period. The amounts charged to against the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income due to depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amortization of intangible assets, as well as any other consumption of non-monetary assets shall be determined based on the restated amounts. As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the items subject to this restatement process have been those included in inventories, other receivables, property, plant and equipment, right of use assets, goodwill, and non-current investments.
(v) When borrowing costs are capitalized in non-monetary assets pursuant to IAS 23, the components of those costs compensating the creditor for the effects of inflation are not capitalized.
(vi) The restatement of non-monetary assets in terms of current units of measurement as of the end of the year with no equivalent adjustment for tax purposes gives rise to a taxable temporary difference and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities against to profit or loss for the year. In those cases where there is a revaluation of the non-monetary assets in addition to the restatement, the deferred tax recognized on the restatement is accounted for as profit or loss for the year, and the effect of deferred taxes on the revaluation (excess of the revalued amount over the restated amount) is recognized in other comprehensive income. The Group has no revaluated assets.
Restatement of the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income:
(i) Expenses and revenues are restated as from the date they are accrued, except for those profit or loss items related to the consumption of assets measured in purchasing power currency of a date previous to the recording of such consumption which are restated based on the inception date of the asset to which the items are related (such as depreciation, impairment, and other use of assets valued at historical cost); and except also for any profit or loss arising from comparing two measurements expressed in a currency with a purchasing power from different dates, for which it is necessary to identify the amounts compared, their separate restatement and their comparison based on the new restated amounts.
(ii) Net profit or loss on exposure of monetary assets and liabilities to inflation is reported in a separate item of profit and loss , which reflects profit or loss on the exposure to changes in the purchasing power of the currency (“RECPAM” for the Spanish initials of "Resultado por el Cambio en el Poder Adquisitivo de la Moneda").
Restatement of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity:
All equity components' beginning balances are restated by applying the general price index from the beginning of the fiscal year, and the movements of each such components during the year are restated as from the date of the contribution or initial
F-13
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
recognition. Capital stock is presented at nominal values and its corresponding restatement adjustment is presented in the "capital adjustment” account. Other comprehensive income resulting after the transition date of the implementation of IAS 29 is recorded net of the inflation effect.
Restatement of the statement of cash flows:
IAS 29 requires that all entries in this statement should be restated in terms of the unit of measurement that is current at the end of the reporting period. The monetary gain or loss generated from cash and cash equivalents is presented in the statement of cash flows separately from the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as a specific item for the reconciliation between cash and cash equivalents at the beginning and at the end of the fiscal year.
2.3. Applicable accounting standards
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, which has been restated at year-end currency in the case of non-monetary items, except for the revaluation of certain financial assets, which are measured at the fair value at the closing date of each fiscal year. In general, historical cost is based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange for the assets.
Fair value is the price that the Group would receive to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date, irrespective of whether such price is directly observable or estimated using another valuation technique. The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.
Fair value is determined on the basis previously mentioned, except for share-based payment transactions that are within the scope of IFRS 2, lease transactions, within the scope of IFRS 16 and measurements that have some similarities to fair value but are not fair value, such as net realizable value in IAS 2 or value in use in IAS 36.
All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the financial statements are categorized within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:
•Level 1 quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities to which the entity has access as at the measurement date;
•Level 2 valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to their value measurement is directly or indirectly observable; and
•Level 3 valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.
Classification as current and non-current:
The Group classifies assets and liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position as current and non-current.
An asset is classified as current when the Group:
a)expects to realize the asset or intends to sell or consume it during its normal operating cycle;
b)holds the asset primarily for the purpose of trading;
c)expects to realize the asset within twelve months after the end of the reporting period; or
d)the asset is cash or cash equivalent unless it is restricted and cannot be exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least twelve months after the end of the reporting period.
All other assets are classified as non-current.
F-14
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
A liability is classified as current when the Group:
a)expects to settle the liability during its normal operating cycle;
b)holds the liability primarily for the purpose of trading;
c)the liability is due to be settled within twelve months after the end of the reporting period; or
d)fails to have an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the end of the reporting period.
All the other liabilities are classified as non-current.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current assets and liabilities in all cases.
Year-end date:
The fiscal year of the Group starts on January 1° and ends on December 31 each year.
Currency:
The consolidated financial statements are presented in thousands of Argentine Pesos ($), the currency of legal tender in the Argentine Republic, and which is the functional currency of the Group. Amounts are rounded without decimals.
Use of estimates:
The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires the Group’s management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amount of recorded assets and liabilities and the contingent assets and liabilities disclosed as of the reporting date, as well as the revenues and expenses recognized during each year. Future profit or loss may differ from the estimates and assessments made as of the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements.
The description of estimates and significant accounting judgments made by the Group’s Board in the application of accounting policies as well as the areas with greater degree of complexity requiring further judgment, are disclosed in Note 4.
The Group´s material accounting policies are described below.
2.4. Standards and interpretations issued but not yet effective
The following is a detail of standards and interpretations that are issued but not yet effective up to the date of issuance of the Group’s consolidated financial statements. The Group intends to adopt these standards, if applicable, when they become effective, but in no case will they be adopted earlier.
•IAS 1 Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current
In January 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” to specify the requirements for the classification of liabilities as current or non-current. The amendments clarify: (i) what is meant by a right to defer settlement; (ii) that a right to defer must exist at the end of the reporting period; (iii) that classification is unaffected by the likelihood that an entity will exercise its deferral right; and (iv) that only if an embedded derivative in a convertible liability is itself an equity instrument would the terms of a liability not impact its classification. The amendments shall be effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2024 and shall be applied retroactively. These amendments are not expected to have an impact on the Group´s consolidated financial statements.
•Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback – Amendments to IFRS 16
F-15
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
The amendment to IFRS 16 Leases specifies the requirements that a seller-lessee uses in measuring the lease liability arising in a sale and leaseback transaction, to ensure the seller-lessee does not recognize any amount of the gain or loss that relates to the right of use it retains.
The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning as from January 1, 2024. The amendments are not expected to have an impact on the Group's consolidated financial statements.
•Disclosures: Supplier Finance Arrangements - Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7
In May 2023, the Board issued amendments to IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows and IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures. The amendments specify disclosure requirements to enhance the current requirements, which are intended to assist users of financial statements in understanding the effects of supplier finance arrangements on an entity’s liabilities, cash flows and exposure to liquidity risk.
The amendments clarify the characteristics of supplier finance arrangements. In these arrangements, one or more finance providers pay amounts an entity owes to its suppliers. The entity agrees to settle those amounts with the finance providers according to the terms and conditions of the arrangements, either at the same date or at a later date than that on which the finance providers pay the entity’s suppliers.
The amendments require an entity to provide information about the impact of supplier finance arrangements on liabilities and cash flows, including terms and conditions of those arrangements, quantitative information on liabilities related to those arrangements as at the beginning and end of the reporting period.
Considering the Group's business practice in recent years, no impacts are expected in relation to this modification. This modification is effective for financial statement presentation periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024.
•Lack of exchangeability – Amendments to IAS 21
In August 2023, the Board issued Lack of Exchangeability (Amendments to IAS 21). The amendment to IAS 21 specifies how an entity should assess whether a currency is exchangeable and how it should determine a spot exchange rate when exchangeability is lacking. The amendments refer to:
–A currency is considered to be exchangeable into another currency when an entity is able to obtain the other currency within a time frame that allows for a normal administrative delay and through a market or exchange mechanism in which an exchange transaction would create enforceable rights and obligations; a currency is not interchangeable with another currency if an entity can only obtain an insignificant amount of the other currency.
–If a currency is not exchangeable into another currency, an entity is required to estimate the spot exchange rate at the measurement date. An entity’s objective in estimating the spot exchange rate is to reflect the rate at which an orderly exchange transaction would take place at the measurement date between market participants under prevailing economic conditions. The amendments note that an entity can use an observable exchange rate without adjustment or another estimation technique.
–When an entity estimates a spot exchange rate because a currency is not exchangeable into another currency, it discloses information that enables users of its financial statements to understand how the currency not being exchangeable into the other currency affects, or is expected to affect, the entity’s financial performance, financial position and cash flows.
The amendments will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025. Early adoption is permitted but will need to be disclosed.
•Enhancement and standardization of climate-related disclosures for investors
F-16
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
On March 6 2024, the SEC issued the final rules on the enhancement and standardization of climate-related disclosures for investors. This rules mandates the disclosure of information regarding a registrant’s climate-related risks that have materially impacted, or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on, its business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. The Group is currently assessing the impact of this rules that may imply the need of additional disclosure to investors.
Even though as of April 4, 2024 the SEC voluntarily stayed this rules pending completion of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeal’s review, the SEC will “continue vigorously defending” the rules in court. If the court upholds the rules, it could lead to their prompt adoption once the stay is lifted.
•IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements
IFRS 18 was issued on 9 April 2024 and becomes effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027. IFRS 18 introduces new requirements on presentation within the statement of profit or loss, including specified totals and subtotals. It also requires disclosure of management-defined performance measures and includes new requirements for aggregation and disaggregation of financial information based on the identified ‘roles’ of the primary financial statements and the notes. In addition, there are consequential amendments to other accounting standards.
Adoption of improvements or new standards
The Group has adopted all the improvements and new standards and interpretations issued by the IASB that are relevant to its operations and that are effective for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. As from January 1, 2023, these are the new standards or improvements that become effective:
•IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts
In May 2017, the IASB issued IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts, a comprehensive new accounting standard for insurance contracts covering recognition and measurement, presentation and disclosure. Once effective, IFRS 17 will replace IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts. IFRS 17 applies to all types of insurance contracts (i.e., life, non-life, direct insurance and re-insurance), regardless of the type of entities that issue them, as well as to certain guarantees and financial instruments with discretionary participation features. The overall objective of IFRS 17 is to provide an accounting model for insurance contracts that is more useful and consistent for insurers. In contrast to the requirements in IFRS 4, which are largely based on grandfathering previous local accounting policies, IFRS 17 provides a comprehensive model for insurance contracts, covering all relevant accounting aspects. This rule is not applicable to the Group.
•Disclosure of Accounting Policies - Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2
The amendments require entities to disclose their “material accounting policy information”, instead of “significant accounting policies”. The amendments provide guidance and examples to help entities to identify when an accounting policy is material. The Group made the modifications required by the standard, which did not have a material impact on the disclosures of the Group's accounting policies, and did not affect the measurement, recognition or presentation criteria in the Group's financial statements.
•IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors
The amendments clarify the distinction between changes in accounting estimates, changes in accounting policies and the correction of errors. They also clarify how entities use measurement techniques and inputs to develop accounting estimates. The amendments clarify that a change in the accounting estimate resulting from new information or new developments is not the correction of an error. The amendments had no impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
•Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction – Amendments to IAS 12
The amendments narrow the scope of the initial recognition exception, so that it no longer applies to transactions that give rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary differences at that moment. The amendments had no impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
•International Tax Reform—Pillar Two Model Rules – Amendments to IAS 12
F-17
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
The amendments to IAS 12 have been introduced in response to the OECD’s BEPS Pillar Two rules (inclusive framework about anti base erosion and profit shifting) and include:
(a) A mandatory temporary exception to the recognition and disclosure of deferred taxes arising from the jurisdictional implementation of the Pillar Two model rules; and
(b) Disclosure requirements for affected entities to help users of the financial statements better understand an entity’s exposure to Pillar Two income taxes arising from that legislation, particularly before its effective date.
The mandatory temporary exception (the use of which is required to be disclosed) applies immediately.
Although the BEPS rules are global, the rules would be implemented through legislation enacted in jurisdictions that adopt them. The BEPS rules have not been enacted or substantially enacted in jurisdictions in which the Group operates and/or in those jurisdictions in which its controlling entities operate.
The Group continues monitoring the legislation, including the effective date, any transitional exemption, if applicable, and any other important requirements. The Group will continue the evaluation of the potential exposure to Pillar Two income taxes and its implementation based on the most recent information available at all times, although it understands that it will not have effects on its financial statements on the basis that the rate of income tax that is applicable is higher than the minimum rate of 15% considered by the BEPS rules.
The above mentioned amendments did not have an impact on the Group's consolidated financial statements.
2.5. Basis of consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and the companies controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee.
The Group will re-assess whether or not it controls an investee when facts and circumstances indicate changes in one or more of the control elements listed in the preceding paragraph.
Generally, there is a presumption that the majority of voting rights results in control. To support this presumption and when the Group has less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Group considers all the relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over the investee, including:
•The Group’s voting right ownership percentage vis-à-vis the size and dispersion of the percentages held by other shareholders voting rights and potential voting rights;
•Potential voting rights held by the Group, other shareholders or other parties;
•Rights arising from contractual arrangements; and
•Any and all additional events or circumstances that indicate that the Group has, or fails to have, the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee when decisions need to be made, including voting patterns at previous shareholders’ meetings.
Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Group obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Group loses control over the subsidiary. Specifically, the revenues and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income since the date on which the Group obtains control until the date on which the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.
Profits or losses of each component of other comprehensive income are attributed to the Group´s owners and to the non-controlling interests. The total comprehensive income of the subsidiaries is attributed to the Group’s owners and to the non-controlling interests, even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.
When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies in line with the Group’s accounting policies.
F-18
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
All intra-group assets, liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows related to transactions between members of the Group are eliminated in full upon consolidation.
If the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognizes the related assets (including goodwill), liabilities, non-controlling interest and other components of equity, while any resultant gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss. Any investment retained is recognized at fair value.
The consolidated information disclosed in these consolidated financial statements includes the following subsidiaries:
| Subsidiary | Main business | Country | % of direct and indirect interest as of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cofesur S.A.U. | Investment | Argentina | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ferrosur Roca S.A. (1) | Rail freight transportation | Argentina | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recycomb S.A.U. | Waste recycling | Argentina | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Directly controlled by Cofesur S.A.U.
Below is a summary of the financial information for Ferrosur Roca S.A., a subsidiary in which shareholders outside the Group have a material non-controlling interest.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||||
| Non-current assets | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity attributable to owners of the parent company | |||||||||||
| Non-controlling interest | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Financial results, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net losses for the year | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash generated by (used in) operating activities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash generated by (used in) investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash generated by (used in) financing activities | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Effects of the exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents in foreign currency | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
F-19
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
3. MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
3.1. Revenue recognition
3.1.1. Sale of goods
Revenues from sales of goods are recognized when control over goods is transferred to the customer for an amount that reflects the consideration that the Group expects to be entitled to in exchange for such assets. The customer obtains control of the goods when significant risks and rewards of the products sold are transferred in accordance with the specific delivery terms agreed with the customer. Revenues from the sale of goods are measured at fair value of the consideration received or to be collected, net of commercial discounts. No financing components are considered in the transaction since credit terms vary greatly between 20 and 35 days, depending on the specific terms agreed upon by the Group, which is consistent with market practices.
Some agreements with customers offer commercial discounts or volume-based discounts. If revenues cannot be reliably measured, the Group defers revenue recognition until the uncertainty is resolved. However, due to the fact that performance obligations relate mainly to the delivery of the acquired goods, and that both the price and any discount granted are specifically agreed between the parties, there are in practice no uncertainties associated with revenue recognition from sales of goods. Variable consideration is recognized when there is a high likelihood that there will not be a significant reversal in the amount of the accumulated revenues recognized in the agreement and is measured using the expected value or the most likely amount method, whichever allows to make a better prediction of the amount based on the terms and conditions of the agreement.
The products sold by the Group in general are not returned by customers once they have approved their quality, which occurs at the time of reception.
3.1.2. Services rendered
The Group provides transportation services along with the sale of cement, concrete, limestone, and aggregates. Revenues from transportation services are recognized at the time services are provided, which is usually when revenues from the sale of the transported good are recognized as transportation distance and time is very short. Revenue is measured on the basis of the consideration defined in the contract with customers.
3.2. Goodwill
The goodwill recorded by the Group due to the acquisition of Recycomb S.A.U. and is measured at cost restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period, as mentioned in Note 2.2.
In accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combinations, goodwill is initially measured at cost being the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred and the amount recognized for non-controlling interests and any previous interest held over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
Goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested for impairment on an annual basis. For impairment testing purposes, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the relevant combination. Cash-generating units to which goodwill is allocated are tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if there are indications that the unit may have been impaired.
F-20
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or CGU’s fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. When the recoverable amount of the CGU is less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized reducing first the carrying amount of goodwill allocated to the CGU and then, proportionally, the other CGU’s assets. Impairment losses related to goodwill cannot be reversed in future periods.
Any goodwill impairment loss is recognized directly in profit or loss.
As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Group has not
3.3. Investments in other companies
3.4. Leases
Group as Lessee:
The accounting model for the recognition and measurement of all leases is as follows:
Right-of-use assets:
The Group recognizes a right of use asset at the beginning of each lease (the date on which the underlying asset is available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted to reflect any remeasurement of liabilities and to recognize changes in the currency purchasing power. The cost of the right-of-use assets includes the amount of the recognized lease liabilities, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the lease start date, less any incentives received. Unless the Group is certain that it will acquire the asset at the end of the lease, right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives and the lease term (calculated based on the term of the relevant agreements, including renewal provisions in the event that they are highly likely to continue). Right-of-use assets are subject to impairment.
The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exception (i.e., those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the inception date and do not contain a purchase option). The Group also applies the recognition exception to leases that are considered to be of low value. Payments under these leases are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Lease liabilities:
Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of future lease payments to be made throughout the lease term, for which market rates have been used according to the nature and term of each agreement. Lease payments include fixed payments, less any lease incentives to be received, variable payments depending on an index or rate and amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees. Lease payments also include the exercise price of any purchase option of the leased underlying asset, and any penalties for terminating the lease, provided that it is reasonably likely that the Group will exercise such options. Variable payments that do not depend on an index or rate are recognized in profit or loss for the year of occurrence of the condition to which they are subject.
The unwinding of the present value recognized for each lease is accounted by the Group in the comprehensive income of each year.
F-21
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Group as Lessor:
3.5. Foreign currency and functional currency
The consolidated financial statements are presented in Argentine Pesos (Argentina’s currency of legal tender), which is also the functional currency (the currency of the primary economic environment where the entity operates) for all the Group companies , and the reporting currency of the consolidated financial statements.
For the purposes of presenting these consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities in foreign currency held by the Group are translated to Argentine pesos at the foreign exchange rate prevailing at the end of each fiscal year.
3.6. Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs, net of the effect of inflation directly attributed to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset until the assets are ready for use or sale.
Income earned on short term investments of specific outstanding borrowings to finance the construction of qualifying assets is deducted from the borrowing costs that may qualify for capitalization.
The Group has not capitalized interest or exchange differences in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
3.7. Taxation
3.7.1. Income tax
The Group assesses the income tax to be recorded in accordance with the deferred tax method, which considers the effect of temporary differences arising from the different bases for the measurement of assets and liabilities according to accounting and taxing criteria, and of existing tax losses and unused tax credits deductible from future taxable income, computed by considering the tax rate in force.
Law No. 27,260, which was enacted on June 16, 2021, introduced amendments to the corporate tax rate by setting a staggered structure of applicable rates based on the level of accumulated net taxable income for each company, which may be 25 %, 30 %, or 35 % (Note 11); the 7 % tax on the distribution of dividends, however, has remained unchanged.
3.7.1.1. Current taxes
Current tax payable is based on the taxable profit for the fiscal year. Taxable profit differs from profit before tax as reported in the consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income because of items of income, or expenses that are taxable or deductible in other years and items that will never be taxable or deductible. The Group’s
F-22
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
liability for current tax is calculated using the tax rates that have been substantially enacted at the end of the reporting period.
3.7.1.2. Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognized on the temporary differences between the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities included in the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognized for all future taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that the Group is likely to have future tax profit against which it is possible to account for those deductible temporary differences. Such deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognized when temporary difference arose from goodwill or the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amounts of deferred tax assets are reviewed at the end of each fiscal year and derecognized to the extent it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that are expected to apply in the fiscal year when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the end of the reporting period. Measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities at the end of the reporting period reflects the tax consequences that would stem from the manner in which the entity expects to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.
The Group offsets deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities only if (a) it has enforceable right to set off current taxes and current liabilities and (b) the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities and the Group intends either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and associates, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments are recognized only to the extent it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profit to use the benefits of temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.
3.7.1.3. Current tax charge and deferred taxes profit or loss
Current and deferred taxes are recognized in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, except when they relate to items that are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in shareholders’ equity, in which case the current and deferred taxes are also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in shareholders’ equity, respectively. When the current tax or deferred tax arises from the initial accounting of a business combination, the tax effect is included in the accounting for the business combination.
3.7.2. Personal assets tax – Substitute taxpayer
In Argentina, individuals and foreign entities, as well as their undistributed estates, regardless of whether they are domiciled or located in Argentina or abroad are subject to personal property tax at the rate of 0.50 % over the value of any shares or the American Depositary Shares (ADSs) issued by Argentine entities held as of December 31 of each year.
F-23
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
As of December 31, 2022 the Group carried receivables for $416,364 , in relation to this tax.
3.8. Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment held for use in the production or supply of goods and services, or for administrative purposes, are carried at the cost restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period, in accordance with Note 2.2, less accumulated depreciation and impairment loss.
The cost includes the stripping and initial preparation of the open pit quarries, as mentioned in Note 3.18, and the counterpart for the environmental restoration and/or dismantling obligations recognized, as indicated in Note 3.12. It also includes borrowing costs for long-term construction projects if the recognition criteria are met.
When significant parts of plant and equipment are required to be replaced at intervals, the Group depreciates them separately based on their specific useful lives. Likewise, when a major inspection is performed, its cost is recognized in the carrying amount of the plant and equipment as a replacement if the recognition criteria are satisfied. All other repair and maintenance costs are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.
The lands owned by the Group are not subject to depreciation.
Construction in progress for administrative, production, supply or other purposes are carried at cost restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period, in accordance with Note 2.2, less any recognized impairment loss.
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment commences when such assets are ready for their intended use.
Property, plant and equipment are depreciated, except for land and assets under construction, over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. The estimated useful life, the residual value and the depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each fiscal year, with the effect of any changes in estimates being accounted for on a prospective basis.
Gain or loss from the disposal or write-off of an item of property, plant and equipment is calculated as the difference between net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognized in profit or loss at its value restated at the year-end currency.
3.9. Intangible assets
Intangible assets with finite useful lives that were separately acquired are carried at cost restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period, as described in Note 2.2, less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.
The estimated useful life and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each fiscal year, with the effect of any changes in estimates being accounted for on a prospective basis. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives that were separately acquired are carried at the cost restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period, as described in Note 2.2, less accumulated impairment losses.
3.10. Impairment of tangible and intangible assets
At the end of each period, the Group reviews if any indication that tangible and intangible assets might be impaired.
F-24
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
In case of impairment indicators are observed, the Group calculates the recoverable amount per cash-generating unit. The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of the fair value less cost of disposal and its value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments as of year-end with respect to the time value of money considering the risks that are specific to the asset. Cash-generating units match the business segments defined in Note 31.
If the recoverable value of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying value of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable value. Impairment losses are immediately recognized in profit or loss.
When a recognized impairment loss is subsequently reversed, the book value of the asset is increased up to the new recoverable amount but the reversal is limited so that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset or CGU in prior years. Impairment loss reversals are immediately recognized in profit loss. Impairment losses related to goodwill are not reversed in future periods.
3.11. Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period in accordance with Note 2.2 and net realizable value.
Costs incurred in bringing products to their present condition are accounted for as follows:
•Raw materials and spare parts: at acquisition cost according to the Weighted Average Price method.
•Finished goods and work in progress: at acquisition cost of raw materials and labor, plus a proportion of manufacturing overheads based on normal operating capacity.
The net realizable value of an inventory component is the estimated selling price for that component in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and estimated costs necessary to make the sale, calculated as of the end of the reporting period. In assessing recoverable amounts, slow-moving inventories are also considered. The carrying amount of inventories as of the fiscal year-end does not exceed their recoverable value.
3.12. Provisions
Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
Estimated amounts of the obligation are based on the expected outflows that will be required to settle such obligation. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects, when appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.
When the Group expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, the reimbursement is recognized as a separate asset (a receivable), but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain and the amount of the receivable can be reliably measured.
The Group uses the opinion of its legal advisors to determine if a provision should be recorded as well as to estimate the amounts of the obligations.
F-25
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Environmental restoration and asset decommissioning obligations:
Under legal provisions and best practices, and the environmental commitments assumed by the Group, land used by the Group for mining and quarrying is subject to environmental restoration, and the fixed assets used in production will be removed at the end of operations.
In this context, provisions are recognized, as long as they are determinable, in order to afford the estimated expenses for environmental recovery and restoration of the mining areas and the retirement of the corresponding productive assets. These provisions are recorded simultaneously with the increase in value in the underlying asset and the relevant depreciation of the assets involved is recognized in profit and loss prospectively.
.The environmental restoration and asset retirement obligation can also increase or decrease due to changes in the estimated timing of cash flows, changes in the discount rate and/or changes in the original estimated undiscounted costs. In estimating the expected cost, the Group takes into account changes in environmental legislation and regulations, if any, that may impact the process and restoration and dismantling costs. Increases or decreases in the obligation other than the unwinding of discount will result in a corresponding change in the carrying amount of the related asset. Actual costs incurred upon settlement of the asset retirement obligation are charged against the asset retirement obligation to the extent of the liability recorded. The Group discounts the costs related to asset retirement obligations using the discount rate that reflects the current market assessment of the time value of money and risks specific to the liabilities that have not been reflected in the cash flow estimates. Asset retirement obligations are remeasured at each reporting period in order to reflect the discount rates in effect at that time.
In addition, the Group follows the practice of progressively restoring the areas by the removal of quarries using the provisions recognized for that purpose.
3.13. Financial instruments
A financial instrument arises from any contract that results in the recognition of a financial asset in one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument in another entity.
All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss) are added or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or liabilities on the initial cost of recognition. Transactions costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognized immediately in profit or loss.
Interest and financial income are recognized to the extent the effective interest rate is accrued.
3.14. Financial assets
According to IFRS 9 Financial instruments, the Group classifies its financial assets into two categories because the company has not asset that are designated as fair value through other comprehensive income:
•Financial Assets at amortized cost
A financial asset is measured at amortized cost if both of the following conditions are met: (i) the asset is held within a business model of the Group whose objective is to hold assets in order to collect contractual cash flows; and (ii) the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.
F-26
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
In addition, for the assets that meet the conditions mentioned above, IFRS 9 contains an option to designate, at initial recognition, a financial asset as measured at fair value if doing so eliminates or significantly reduces an account mismatch that would otherwise arise from measuring assets or liabilities or recognizing the gains and losses on them on different bases.
The Group has not recognized financial assets at fair value using this option. At the date of the consolidated financial statements, the Group’s financial assets at amortized cost include certain items of cash and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables.
•Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
If one of the above two criteria is not met, the financial asset is classified as an asset measured at “fair value through profit or loss”.
At the date of these consolidated financial statements, the Group’s financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include mutual funds classified as current investments.
Recognition and Measurement:
Acquisitions and disposals of financial assets are recognized on the date on which the Group promises to purchase or sell the asset. Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from such instruments and the risks and benefits related to their ownership have been terminated or assigned.
Financial assets at amortized cost are initially recognized at fair value plus transaction costs. These assets accrue interest based on the effective interest rate method.
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are initially recognized at fair value and transaction costs are recognized as expenses in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. They are subsequently measured at fair value. Changes in fair values and gains or losses on the sale of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are recognized in “Financial results, net” in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
In general, the Group uses the transaction price to determine the fair value of a financial instrument at initial recognition. In all other cases, the Group only records a gain or loss at initial recognition if the fair value of the instrument is evidenced by other comparable and observable market transactions for the same instrument or is based on a valuation technique incorporating only observable market data. Any gains or losses not recognized at initial recognition of a financial asset are subsequently recognized only to the extent that they arise from a change in factors (including time) that market participants would consider in establishing the price.
The results of debt instruments that are measured at amortized cost and are not designated in a hedging relationship are recognized in the profit or loss and other comprehensive income statement using the effective interest rate method. The Group reclassifies between categories all investments in debt instruments only when there is a change in the business model used to manage such assets.
Financial asset impairment
The Group assesses at the end of each period whether there is any objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets measured at amortized cost is impaired. The impairment is recorded only if there is objective evidence of impairment as the result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the asset and that impairment can be reliably estimated.
The Group defined a policy to calculate ECLs for trade receivables and record the related allowance for debtors’ impairment. The provision is initially based on the Group’s historical observed default rates and it is complemented by a case by case analysis to identify special circumstances on individual customers and/or transactions.
F-27
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Evidence of impairment includes indications that the debtors or a group of debtors are experiencing serious financial difficulties, default or arrears in interest or principal payments, the likelihood that they will be declared bankrupt or file for reorganization proceedings, and when such observable data indicates that there is a decrease in estimated future cash flows.
The amount of the impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the original effective interest rate of the financial asset. The carrying amount of the asset is written down and the amount of the loss is recognized in the profit or loss and other comprehensive income statement. As a practical measure, the Group may measure impairment based on the fair value of an instrument using an observable market price. If, in a subsequent period, the impairment amount decreases and such reduction is related to an event taking place after the original impairment, the reversal of the impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income.
Offsetting of financial instruments:
Financial assets and liabilities are offset whenever there is a legal right to offset such assets and liabilities and there is an intention to settle them on a net basis, or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Derecognition of a financial asset
A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognised (i.e., removed from the Group’s consolidated statement of financial position) when:
•The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired, or
•The Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either (a) the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset
When the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass-through arrangement, it evaluates if, and to what extent, it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership.
When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the Group continues to recognise the transferred asset to the extent of its continuing involvement. In that case, the Group also recognises an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Group has retained.
Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Group could be required to repay.
3.15. Ferrocarril Roca Management Trust for capital expenditures
3.16. Financial Liabilities and Equity Instruments
i)Classification as debt or equity:
Debt and equity instruments are classified as financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual agreement and the definitions of financial liabilities and equity instruments.
F-28
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
ii)Equity instruments:
An equity instrument consists in a contract evidencing a residual ownership interest over an entity’s net assets after deducting all its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by an entity of the Group are recognized at the amount of proceeds received, net of direct issuance costs.
The repurchase of the Group’s own equity instruments is recognized and deducted directly in equity. No gain or loss is recognized in the profit or loss statement stemming from purchases, sales, issuance or cancellation of the Group’s own equity instruments.
Capital Stock Component Accounts
Capital Stock and Share Premium:
It comprises the contributions committed or made by the shareholders represented by outstanding shares at nominal value.
Adjustment to capital:
Capital stock accounts were restated by recognizing the effects of changes in the purchasing power of the currency by applying the procedure described in Note 2.2. The capital stock account was maintained at nominal value and the adjustment derived from such monetary restatement is disclosed in capital adjustment account. Capital adjustment is not available for distribution in cash or in kind; however, it can be capitalized by issuing additional shares. In addition, the adjustment mentioned above may be used to cover losses for the year, according to the order of absorption of accumulated losses, as explained below in “Retained Earnings”.
Merger premium:
This reflects the recognition of premiums originated in mergers between the Parent Company and Ecocemento S.A. and Compañía de Servicios a la Construcción S.A. in the years 2002 and 2010, respectively. Merger premium balances were restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period by applying the adjustment procedure described in Note 2.2 based on the respective merger dates.
Share-based payment plans:
It refers to the counterpart of the recognition of share-based payment plans received by Group Directors, restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period following the adjustment procedure described in Note 2.2, based on the dates of issuance of the plans.
Treasury shares trading premium:
This trading premium relates to treasury shares delivered to employees under current share-based payment plans and represents the difference between the purchase value of the shares delivered and the estimated value of the consideration received from the relevant employees.
Legal reserve:
In accordance with the provisions under Law No. 19,550, the Group must appropriate 5 % of income for the year, plus adjustments of previous fiscal years, transfers of other comprehensive income to retained earnings and accumulated losses from previous fiscal years, until it reaches a 20 % of the sum of the balances of “Capital” and “Adjustment to capital” accounts. The Legal reserve has been restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period as described in Note 2.2, considering the movements taking place each fiscal year.
Environmental reserve and future dividends reserve:
This corresponds to the reserve created by the Group’s shareholders for future use on environmental matters and dividend distributions, respectively. These two reserves have been restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period as described in Note 2.2. considering the movements for each fiscal year.
F-29
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Other comprehensive income:
This includes income and losses recognized directly in equity and that will be transferred from equity to the profit or loss statement or accumulated retained earnings, as defined in IFRS.
Retained earnings:
Retained earnings include the accumulated income or losses with no specific allocation, which, if positive, can be distributed by means of a decision of the Shareholders’ Meeting, provided that they are not subject to any legal restrictions. It includes profit or loss from previous fiscal years that were not distributed, the amounts transferred from other comprehensive income, and adjustments from previous fiscal years by application of new accounting standards. Retained earnings are restated in constant currency at the end of the reporting period by applying the adjustment procedure described in Note 2.2, considering the movements taking place each fiscal year.
Non-controlling interest:
This includes the minority ownership interest not owned by Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. in the net assets and profit or loss of Ferrosur Roca S.A. (20 %).
iii)Financial liabilities:
Financial liabilities are classified as at fair value through profit or loss or other financial liabilities.
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss:
A financial liability at fair value through profit or loss is a financial liability held for trading . Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if:
a)It has been acquired or incurred principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the near term; or
b)At the time of initial recognition, the liabilities are part of a portfolio of financial instruments that are managed by the Group and there is evidence of a recent current pattern of short-term profit; or
c)It is a derivative that has not been designated and is not effective as a hedging instrument or financial guarantee.
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recorded at fair value, with any gains or losses arising from the remeasurement being recognized in profit or loss. The net gain or loss recognized in profit or loss includes any interest paid on the financial liability and is included in other financial results. Fair value is determined as described in Note 32.
Financial liabilities (other than financial liabilities held for trading) or contingent consideration to be paid by an acquirer as a part of a business combination may be designated as a liability at fair value through profit and loss upon initial recognition if:
•Such designation eliminates or significantly reduces a potential accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise; or
•Financial liabilities are part of a group of financial assets or liabilities or both, which is managed and whose performance is assessed on the basis of fair value, in accordance with the Group’s documented risk management or investment strategy, and information about the Group is provided internally on that basis; or
•They are part of a contract containing one or more embedded derivatives, and IFRS 9 allows the entire combined contract to be carried at fair value through profit and loss.
The Company has no financial liabilities measured at fair value to be presented in the statement of financial position.
Other financial liabilities:
Other financial liabilities, including borrowings and trade and other payables, are initially recognized at fair value, net of transaction costs.
F-30
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Subsequent to initial recognition, other financial liabilities are then measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method, with interest expense recognized based on actual return.
Financial liabilities are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement for more than twelve months after the date of the financial statements.
iv)Financial liabilities in foreign currency:
The fair value of financial liabilities in foreign currency is determined in that foreign currency and translated at the exchange rate at the end of each fiscal year. The foreign currency component is part of its profit or loss at fair value. For financial liabilities classified as at fair value through profit or loss, the foreign currency component is recognized in profit or loss.
For debt instruments denominated in foreign currency classified at amortized cost, gains and losses in foreign currency are determined on the basis of the amortized cost of the liability and recognized in “Exchange rate differences” under the “Financial results net” in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
v)Derecognition of financial liabilities:
3.17. Short- and long-term employee benefits
Liabilities are recognized for the benefits accrued in favor of employees with respect to salaries and wages, annual vacations, and leaves of absence due to illness in the period in which the service is rendered in connection with the non-discounted amount of the benefits expected to be paid in exchange for such service.
Liabilities recognized with respect to other long-term employee benefits (severance payment plans resulting from specific plans for employees leaving the Group and receiving a compensation payable in installments) are measured at the present value of estimated future cash outflows expected to be paid by the Group.
On January 24, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the implementation of an employee incentive program calculated on the basis of ADSs for the purpose of attracting and retaining certain high-ranking employees who satisfied certain eligibility criteria, with the goal of aligning their long-term interests with those of the Company and its shareholders.
Under this program, a liability was recorded to reflect the fair value of the obligations resulting from the incentive plan as they are settled in cash. Such fair value is determined at the beginning and at the end of the fiscal year through the plan settlement date. To calculate the fair value, the Group uses the Black-Scholes valuation method. Changes in the fair value is recorded as an expense during the vesting period and any changes in the fair value are recognized in salaries, wages and social security contributions within the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and the related liability is recognized in non-current Salaries and social security payables within the statement of financial position.
During fiscal year 2021, the Board of Directors, through its meeting held on February 12, 2021, implemented two new employee incentive programs with the same objective. These programs replaced the one approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting of January 24, 2018, notwithstanding the fact that the annual awards that have already been granted as part of the original program will remain in force.
The programs approved in 2021 consist in delivering, to certain employees, shares of the Company’s common stock listed on the Argentine Stock Exchanges and Markets (“BYMA”) and/or on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) in the form of ADSs, being one of the programs subject to total shareholder return (Total Shareholder Return or “TSR”), and the other to the permanence of the selected employees with the Group. In other words, the effective delivery of the shares will depend on the degree of performance of the return as defined in each of the annual plans that will be issued as part of the program, and on the permanence of the employee with the Group.
F-31
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
On December 19, 2023, December 21, 2022, and December 21, 2021 the Company’s Board of Directors approved the issuance of the new plans within the framework of the programs implemented in 2021.
During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, 17,473 and 10,069 American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), respectively, were distributed due to the aforementioned incentive programs.
3.18. Stripping and quarry exploitation costs
Following the guidelines established by IFRIC 20 Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine, the costs of stripping and initial preparation of open-pit quarries for subsequent exploitation are capitalized as property, plant and equipment, as part of the Company’s open-pit quarry stripping and development costs, and are subsequently depreciated based on the units extracted, considering to that end the estimation of reserves available for extraction and existing in the stripped area at all times. The Group periodically revalues the estimate of proven reserves in stripped quarries and prospectively adjusts the effects of any difference in the estimate of tons available for extraction. Due to the frequency in which estimates are reviewed, the risk of significant differences in estimates is reduced. Extraction costs incurred later during the production phase are recognized as part of production costs.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company undertakes several exploration and evaluation activities in order to search for mineral ore and determine the technical and commercial feasibility of the resources identified. Exploration and evaluation activities include research and analysis of historical exploration data, the compilation of exploration data through geological studies, exploratory drilling and sampling in several areas, the determination of the volume and qualification of the resources identified, among others.
Mineral rights acquired in connection with the right to explore existing exploration areas are capitalized and amortized during the term of the right. As soon as a legal right has been acquired to explore, exploration and evaluation costs are expensed as incurred to profit or loss, unless the Company’s Management arrives at the conclusion that there is a highest likelihood of obtaining future profits; when this is the case, costs are capitalized. In assessing whether the costs satisfy the criteria to be capitalized several information sources are used, including the nature of the assets, the surface area explored and the results of the samples taken, among others.
All capitalized stripping, exploration and evaluation costs are subject to impairment testing. In the case of determining a potential impairment indicator, the Company carries out an assessment of its recoverability together with the group of related operating assets, which represents the cash-generating unit to which the exploration is attributed.
4. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY
In the application of the Group´s accounting policies described in Note 3, the Group’s management has been required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors considered to be relevant. It should be noted that actual results could differ from those estimates.
Underlying estimates and assumptions are continuously reviewed. The effects of revisions to the accounting estimates are recognized in the year in which the estimates are reviewed.
4.1. Critical judgments in applying accounting policies
F-32
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
The following are the critical assumptions, in addition to those involving estimations (Note 4.2), made by Management in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
4.1.1. Ferrosur Roca S.A. concession
Management has reviewed the Group’s interest in Ferrosur Roca S.A., taking into account the provisions of IFRIC 12 Service Concession Arrangements, which provides guidance on accounting by the operators of public-to-private service concession arrangements.
Based on the fact that the grantor neither controls nor regulates which services should be provided by the operator to the infrastructure or to whom it must provide them, and at what price, Group Management conclude that Ferrosur Roca S.A. concession is out of the scope of IFRIC 12 and, therefore, the Group does not apply its provisions. Accordingly, the Group has recorded the assets received from the concession and those subsequently acquired under IAS 16 - Property, Plant and Equipment.
The concession bidding terms and conditions grant an original term of thirty years (1993-2023) and originally provided for the possibility of an extension for ten additional years, which was rejected by the Ministry of Transport for the reasons described in Note 38. On December 22, 2022, the Ministry of Transport provisionally granted an extension for an additional term of 18 months as from the expiration date of the concession. Therefore, the concession of Ferrosur Roca S.A. will end in September 2024.
The Group has evaluated potential business scenarios based on its intention to continue delivering services as a rail network operator and has not anticipated significant associated effects to date. Likewise, it has reassessed all the accounting estimates affected to the end of the current concession, especially those associated with the recoverability of certain non-current assets affected by it. The evaluations carried out by the Group are detailed in Note 38.
4.2. Key assumptions and sources of estimation uncertainty
The following are the key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the end of the reporting period that may have a risk of causing material adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities during the next fiscal year.
4.2.1. Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
The following is the estimated useful life for each component of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets:
| Useful life | |||||
| Fields | |||||
| Quarries - Stripping cost | Based on estimated tons | ||||
| Buildings | |||||
| Machinery | |||||
| Furniture and fixtures | |||||
| Tools | |||||
| Software | |||||
| Transportation and load vehicles | |||||
The assets used in the concession of Ferrosur Roca S.A. are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives and the remaining concession term.
An impairment exists when the carrying amount of an asset or cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. The calculation of fair value less costs to sell is based on
F-33
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
available data from binding sales transactions conducted under market conditions for similar assets or observable market prices less incremental costs of asset disposal. The calculation of the value in use is based on a discounted cash flow model. Cash flows are derived from the budget for next year, extrapolated for subsequent years using a growth rate, and do not include restructuring activities that the Group is not yet committed to or significant future investments that will enhance the performance of the assets of the cash-generating unit being tested. The recoverable amount is sensitive to the discount rate used for the discounted cash flow model, as well as the expected future cash inflows and the growth rate used for extrapolation purposes, among other factors. These matters are the most relevant in the related estimates. Note 13 provides more information on impairment analysis and assumptions used.
The Group has considered the impact of potential climate-related matters, including legislation, which may affect the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities in the financial statements. The group has assessed whether its items of property, plant and equipment are exposed to physical risks, such as flooding, water shortages and increasing forest fires, but understands that such risks do not currently exist due to circumstances and conditions of the locations where its plants, deposits and quarries are located. Additionally, the Group has assessed that it is not currently affected by transition risks, such as those derived from energy efficiency requirements or reductions in emissions due to possible changes in climate-related legislation and regulations. The objectives that the Group has voluntarily imposed in relation to these matters are contemplated in its budgets and business plans and do not have a material impact on the measurements of recoverable values.
As described in Notes 3.8 and 3.9, the Group annually assesses the estimated useful lives of tangible and intangible assets, respectively.
4.2.2. Provisions for lawsuits and other contingencies
The final settlement cost of complaints and litigation may vary due to estimates based on different interpretations of regulations, opinions and final assessments of damages. Therefore, any change in the circumstances related to this type of contingencies may have a significant impact on the amount of the provision for contingencies recorded.
In the normal course of its business, the Group selects tax criteria and accounting positions based on a reasonable interpretation of the current regulations, also taking into consideration the opinion of its tax and legal advisors along with evidence available up to the date of issuance of these financial statements. Nevertheless, in the event of situations where the assessment by a third party and the potential occurrence of damage for the Group are uncertain, the Group has not recorded a provision as it is has not been required under IFRS.
The Group makes judgments and estimates to assess whether it is necessary to record costs and make provisions for environmental cleanup remediation and asset retirement obligations based on the current information related to expected remediation costs and plans. In the case of environmental provisions, costs may differ from estimates due to changes in laws and regulations, discovery and analysis of local conditions, as well as changes in cleanup technologies. Therefore, any change in the factors or circumstances related to this type of provisions, as well as any amendment to the rules and regulations may thus have a significant impact on the provisions recorded in these consolidated financial statements.
4.2.3. Calculation of income tax and deferred income tax assets
The proper assessment of income tax expenses depends on several factors, including estimates in the timing and realization of deferred tax assets and the frequency of income tax payments.
In order to measure the effect of deferral on investments in controlled or associated companies, Management has determined the presumption that they will not be disposed of in the foreseeable future and therefore no deferred income tax has been recorded.
4.2.4. Management’s accounting estimates and judgments on environmental matters
The Group is constantly working on a responsible and sustainable business strategy, committed to improving environmental performance on an ongoing basis, minimizing environmental impact caused by its operations, and providing maximum value for society.
F-34
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
To this end, the Group has set various environmental sustainability goals within the medium term (year 2030) and long term (year 2050), aligned with the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (“SDG”) promoted by the United Nations.
The main committed goals are related to maximizing energy efficiency and renewable energy, reducing gas emissions and improving air quality, reducing the carbon footprint, maximizing water management, streamlining waste management by promoting circular economy, and improving efficiency in the use of materials.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Group's Management has considered the potential environmental impact. Therefore, the estimates and judgments made by the Group's Management primarily involve assumptions related to future regulations and performance of the industry in which the Group operates. The effects of changes in the estimates and judgments made may primarily relate to impairment tests on property, plant and equipment, the estimated useful life of those assets and therefore the related depreciation recognized annually, as well as the recognition of provisions, such as the environmental provision to afford the estimated expenses for the environmental recovery and restoration of the mining areas exploited by the Group.
5. REVENUES
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Sale of products | |||||||||||||||||
| - Domestic market | |||||||||||||||||
| - External customers | |||||||||||||||||
| Services rendered | |||||||||||||||||
| Bonuses / Discounts | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
6. COST OF SALES
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventories at the beginning of the year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finished products | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Products in progress | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raw materials, materials, fuel, and spare parts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchases and production expenses for the year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventories at the end of the year | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finished products | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Products in progress | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raw materials, materials, fuel, and spare parts | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F-35
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
The breakdown of production costs is as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Fees and compensation for services | |||||||||||||||||
| Salaries, wages, and social security contributions | |||||||||||||||||
| Transport and traveling expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Data processing | |||||||||||||||||
| Taxes, duties, contributions, and commissions | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Preservation and maintenance costs | |||||||||||||||||
| Communications | |||||||||||||||||
| Leases | |||||||||||||||||
| Employee benefits | |||||||||||||||||
| Water, natural gas, and energy services | |||||||||||||||||
| Freight and tolls | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuels | |||||||||||||||||
| Insurance | |||||||||||||||||
| Packaging | |||||||||||||||||
| Electric power | |||||||||||||||||
| Contractors | |||||||||||||||||
| Canon (concession fee) | |||||||||||||||||
| Security | |||||||||||||||||
| Others | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
F-36
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
7. SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Managers and directors’ compensation fees | |||||||||||||||||
| Fees and compensation for services | |||||||||||||||||
| Salaries, wages, and social security contributions | |||||||||||||||||
| Transport and traveling expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Data processing | |||||||||||||||||
| Advertising expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Taxes, duties, contributions, and commissions | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Preservation and maintenance | |||||||||||||||||
| Communications | |||||||||||||||||
| Leases | |||||||||||||||||
| Employee benefits | |||||||||||||||||
| Water, natural gas, and energy services | |||||||||||||||||
| Freight | |||||||||||||||||
| Insurance | |||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | |||||||||||||||||
| Security | |||||||||||||||||
| Others | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
8. OTHER GAINS AND LOSSES
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment | |||||||||||||||||
| Donations | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Technical services and assistance | |||||||||||||||||
| Gain over tax credit assignment | |||||||||||||||||
| Contingencies | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Leases | |||||||||||||||||
| Service fee from ADS Depositary bank | |||||||||||||||||
| Insurance claim collection | |||||||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
9. TAX ON DEBITS AND CREDITS TO BANK ACCOUNTS
The general tax rate on bank credits and debits is 0.6 33 % of both items can be computed as payment on account of other taxes. Sixty seven percent (67 %) of credits and debits is included in this line item in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
F-37
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
10. FINANCIAL RESULTS, NET
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Exchange rate differences: | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gains | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange losses | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Financial income | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest from short-term investments | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect of discounts on provisions and liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Financial expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest on borrowings | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Loss from securities transactions (Note 32.4) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Interest on leases | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Tax interest | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of discounts on receivables | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Others | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
11. INCOME TAX EXPENSES
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Profit before income tax expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax rate | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax at the statutory tax rate | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Adjustments for calculation of the effective income tax: | |||||||||||||||||
| Recovery of tax losses / Unrecognized tax losses | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Effects of inflation adjustments for accounting and tax purposes | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Change in tax rate | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Other non-taxable income or non-deductible expense, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total income tax | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax | |||||||||||||||||
| Current | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
F-38
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
11.1. The deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||
| Tax loss carryforward | ||||||||||||||
| Valuation allowance of tax loss carryforward | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Leases | ||||||||||||||
| Provisions | ||||||||||||||
| Salaries and social security contributions | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Others | ||||||||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Inventories | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Taxes payable (tax inflation adjustment) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Borrowings | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Others | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total deferred tax liabilities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total net deferred tax liabilities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
11.2. Unrecognized temporary differences on investments and other interests
Temporary differences related to investments in subsidiaries and other interests for which no deferred tax assets or liabilities have been recognized since it is not considered probable that they will be reversed in the foreseeable future, are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | ( | |||||||||||||
| Others | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total | ( | |||||||||||||
F-39
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
12. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
The earnings and the weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Profit attributable to the owners of the parent company used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands of shares) | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted earnings per share (in pesos) | |||||||||||||||||
13. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Cost | |||||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
| Land | |||||||||||
| Plant and buildings | |||||||||||
| Machinery, equipment and spare parts | |||||||||||
| Transportation and load vehicles | |||||||||||
| Furniture and fixtures | |||||||||||
| Fields and quarries | |||||||||||
| Tools | |||||||||||
| Construction in process | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
Cost
| Land | Buildings | Machinery, equipment and spare parts | Transportation and load vehicles | Furniture and fixtures | Fields and quarries | Tools | Works in process | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disposal | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transfers | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disposal | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transfers | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F-40
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Accumulated depreciation and impairment in value
| Buildings | Machinery, equipment and spare parts | Transportation and load vehicles | Furniture and fixtures | Fields and quarries | Tools | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2022 | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disposal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disposal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation charge | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13.1. Impairment of property, plant and equipment
The Group tests property, plant and equipment for impairment when circumstances indicate that their carrying value may be impaired.
The impairment test conducted by the Group for property, plant and equipment is based on estimates of the recoverable amount per cash-generating unit, which has been defined as the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing the value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted using a discount rate reflecting market assessments as of the end of the period with respect to the time value of money considering the risks that are specific to the assets involved.
The calculation of the value in use for all cash-generating units is more sensitive to the following assumptions which, as described below, were considered by Group Management in the development of the impairment test: volumes, prices, gross margins, levels of operating expenses and capital expenditure in property, plant and equipment and working capital, discount rate, growth rate used to extrapolate cash flows beyond the forecast period, and macroeconomic variables estimated to be present during the projection horizon including, without limitation, exchange rates, inflation levels, and GDP growth.
The Group has also considered a number of other factors in reviewing impairment indicators, such as market capitalization, participation in each of the segments where it does business, unused installed capacity, industry trends, potential environmental impact, and other factors, together with the increase in property, plant and equipment balances due to the application of the restatement in constant currency as a result of applying IAS 29 in relation to those assets.
At the end of fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, considering the prevailing uncertainty of the Argentine economic situation and the inflationary environment, as well as the impact derived from commissioning the new power plant L'Amalí which includes innovative technology and therefore higher efficiency in operating costs compared to other facilities, and the reallocation of production volumes derived from L'Amalí operation, the Group has determined that certain facilities belonging to its cement plant called “Sierras Bayas” would not be used in the foreseeable future, since Sierras Bayas volumes would be reallocated to the new plant considering the volumes produced and sold until then. Therefore, the Group recognized an impairment loss on property, plant and equipment amounting to 927,176 in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2021, that requires not reversal to date.
As of the current fiscal year-end, the Company determined that property, plant and equipment amounts are recoverable.
Cement, Masonry Cement and Lime Cash-generating Unit
The determination of the recoverable amount of cement, masonry cement and lime cash-generating unit is based on a calculation of the value in use of the assets involved using cash flow projections from the financial budgets approved by Company Management. Projected cash flows have been updated to reflect variations in the demand for traded products,
F-41
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
such as the Argentine macroeconomic variables that have an impact on the Company’s businesses. The discount rate used in cash flow projections is 15.45 % (15.70 % in 2022) in US dollars considering that cash flows have been prepared in that currency. As a result of the analysis carried out, no impairment has been determined for this cash-generating unit as of December 31, 2023.
Concrete Cash-generating Unit
The determination of the recoverable amount of concrete cash-generating unit is based on a calculation of the value in use of the assets involved using cash flow projections from the financial budgets approved by Company Management. Projected cash flows have been updated to reflect variations in the demand for traded products, such as the Argentine macroeconomic variables that have an impact on the Company’s businesses. The discount rate used in cash flow projections is 15.45 % (15.70 % in 2022) in US dollars considering that cash flows have been prepared in that currency. As a result of the analysis carried out, no impairment has been determined for this cash-generating unit as of December 31, 2023.
Aggregates Cash-generating Unit
The recoverable amount of aggregates cash-generating unit is determined based on a calculation of the value in use of the assets involved using cash flow projections from the financial budgets approved by Company Management. Projected cash flows have been updated to reflect variations in the demand for traded products, such as the Argentine macroeconomic variables that have an impact on the Company’s businesses. The discount rate used in cash flow projections is 15.45 % (15.70 % in 2022) in US dollars considering that cash flows have been prepared in that currency. As a result of the analysis carried out, no impairment has been determined for this cash-generating unit as December 31, 2023.
Rail Services Cash-generating Unit
F-42
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
14. RIGHT OF USE ASSETS AND LEASE LIABILITIES
The Group has entered into lease agreements primarily for the lease of offices and premises. Changes in right of use assets and lease liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Lease liabilities: | |||||||||||
| As of the beginning of the year | |||||||||||
| Additions | |||||||||||
| Financial restatements | |||||||||||
| Foreign Exchange gain /(losses) | |||||||||||
| Gain on net monetary position | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Payments | ( | ( | |||||||||
| As of the end of the year | |||||||||||
| Right of use assets: | |||||||||||
| As of the beginning of the year | |||||||||||
| Additions | |||||||||||
| Depreciation | ( | ( | |||||||||
| As of the end of the year | |||||||||||
15. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Software | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
| Software | ||||||||
| Cost: | ||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2022 | ||||||||
| Additions | ||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| Additions | ||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Accumulated amortization: | ||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2022 | ( | |||||||
| Amortization | ( | |||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | ( | |||||||
| Amortization | ( | |||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | ( | |||||||
F-43
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
16. INVESTMENTS
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Non-Current | |||||||||||
| Investments in other companies: | |||||||||||
| - Cementos del Plata S.A. | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
| Current | |||||||||||
| Short-term investments: | |||||||||||
| - Government securities in dollars | |||||||||||
| - Mutual fund in pesos | |||||||||||
| - Short-term investments in foreign currency | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
Short-term investments in pesos accrue interest at an annual nominal rate of approximately 89.8 % and 59.2 % as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Short-term investments in foreign currency accrue interest at an annual nominal rate of approximately 0.72 % and 0.14 % as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
17. GOODWILL
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Cost | |||||||||||
| Recycomb S.A.U. | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
For impairment testing purposes, goodwill was allocated to the waste treatment cash-generating unit. The recoverable amount of this cash-generating unit is determined based on a calculation of the value in use which uses cash flow projections based on financial budgets approved by the directors for a five-year period. The key hypothesis used in the determination of the recoverable value are consistent with the ones disclosed in Note 13.1 used for the impairment test of property, plant and equipment items.
F-44
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
18. INVENTORIES
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Non-Current | |||||||||||
| Spare Parts | |||||||||||
| Allowance for obsolete inventories | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
| Current | |||||||||||
| Finished products | |||||||||||
| Production in progress | |||||||||||
| Raw materials, materials and spare parts | |||||||||||
| Fuels | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
19. PARENT COMPANY, OTHER SHAREHOLDERS, ASSOCIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
The balances between the Group and related parties as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Related parties: | |||||||||||
| InterCement Brasil S.A. | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ( | |||||||||
| InterCement Trading e Inversiones S.A. | |||||||||||
| Other receivables | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Intercement Participações S.A. | |||||||||||
| Other receivables | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ( | |||||||||
| InterCement Trading e Inversiones Argentina S.L | |||||||||||
| Other receivables | |||||||||||
| Other liabilities – dividends payable | ( | ||||||||||
Total Group's balances per item with other related parties as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Other receivables | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other liabilities – dividends payable | ( | ||||||||||
F-45
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
The transactions between the Group and other related parties during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively, are detailed below. These transactions are made on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm's length transactions:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| InterCement Trading e Inversiones S.A. - sales of goods and services | |||||||||||||||||
| Intercement Participações S.A. - services provided | |||||||||||||||||
| Intercement Participações S.A. - services received | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| InterCement Trading e Inversiones Argentina S.A. - distribution of dividends | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
On May 2, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company resolved to partially cancel the optional reserve for future dividends in the amount of 48,610,174 (amount restated at the closing date of the period) and distribute as dividends in kind through the delivery of LEDE National Treasury Bill in pesos at a discount maturing on June 6, 2023 (the “Letters”), for a total of 25,590,778,098 Letters (“Total Amount of Letters”), with a ratio of 43.858641084 Letters for each share of $0.10 outstanding face value of the Company. The dividend was made available as of May 5, 2023.
On June 23, 2023, the Company's Board of Directors resolved to partially cancel the optional reserve for future dividends in the amount of 28,313,295 (amount restated at the closing date of the period) and declare a dividend
Additionally, the Company's Board of Directors, at its meetings held on April 14, July 1 and December 27, 2022, approved the distribution of dividends for a total of 25,380,007 , 42,725,459 and 10,899,268 (amounts restated as of the fiscal year-end), respectively, and announced as a general principle that shareholders would receive such dividends in Pesos and were guaranteed with the option to receive payment of their portion of dividends in the equivalent amount in United States Dollars by converting the original dividend in pesos at the exchange rate called "Reference Exchange Rate of the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic – Com. "A" 3500" prevailing at the close of the business day immediately prior to the day of dividend availability for distribution; and, in such case, grant shareholders the option of receiving such payment through Caja de Valores S.A. in their local bank account or in a bank account held abroad. Dividends were made available on April 26, 2022, July 12, 2022, and January 9, 2023, respectively.
The amount charged to income as fixed and variable remuneration for key management personnel of the Group was 2,171,265 and 2,448,947 during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Additionally, 697,205 and 224,397 have been accrued as long-term incentive program during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (Note 3.17).
Amounts outstanding with related parties as of December 31, 2023 are not guaranteed and will be settled in cash. No guarantees have been given or received regarding outstanding balances.
F-46
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
20. OTHER RECEIVABLES
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Non-Current | |||||||||||
| Advances to suppliers | |||||||||||
| Tax receivables | |||||||||||
| Contributions to the Trust Fund to Strengthen the Inter-urban Railroad System (F.F.F.S.F.I.) | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | |||||||||||
| Guarantee deposits | |||||||||||
| Subtotal | |||||||||||
| Allowance for other doubtful accounts | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
| Current | |||||||||||
| Income tax receivables | |||||||||||
| Turnover tax receivables | |||||||||||
| Value added tax receivables | |||||||||||
| Receivable for sale of interest in Yguazú Cementos S.A. | |||||||||||
| Related party receivables (Note 19) | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | |||||||||||
| Guarantee deposits | |||||||||||
| Reimbursements receivable | |||||||||||
| Advance payments to suppliers | |||||||||||
| Salaries advances and loans to employees | |||||||||||
| Insurances receivable | |||||||||||
| Receivables from sales of property, plant and equipment | |||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
21. TRADE RECEIVABLES
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable in litigations | |||||||||||
| Notes receivable | |||||||||||
| Foreign customers | |||||||||||
| Subtotal | |||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
The trade receivables disclosed above are carried at amortized cost.
F-47
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Interest is recognized on overdue trade receivables at current market rates. The Group measures the allowance for doubtful receivables for an amount equal to the losses expected throughout the life of the receivable. The determination of the loss expected to be recognized is calculated based on a percentage of uncollectibility according to maturity ranges for each receivable. This historical percentage should consider the expectations of future credit collectability and therefore the estimated changes in behavior.
Before accepting a new customer, the Group conducts an internal credit analysis to evaluate the potential customer’s credit quality and define its credit limit. The limits and ratings attributed to the main customers are reviewed at least once a year.
The trade receivables disclosed in the preceding paragraphs include the amounts (see aging analysis below) which are overdue as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Accounts receivable aging is as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| To expire | |||||||||||
| Past due: | |||||||||||
| 0 to 30 days | |||||||||||
| 31 to 60 days | |||||||||||
| 61 to 90 days | |||||||||||
| More than 90 days | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
Trade receivables disclosed above include certain amounts (see aging analysis below) that are past due at the end of each reporting period, but for which the Group has not recognized an allowance for doubtful receivables because there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the amounts are still considered recoverable.
Aging of past due, but not impaired, accounts receivable is as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Past due: | |||||||||||
| 0 to 30 days | |||||||||||
| 31 to 60 days | |||||||||||
| 61 to 90 days | |||||||||||
| More than 90 days | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
| Average age of overdue balances (in days) | |||||||||||
The average aging of past due and impaired accounts receivable is as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Past due: | |||||||||||
| More than 90 days | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable, the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the receivable from the date the credit was initially granted up to the end of each reporting period. The concentration of credit risk is limited due to the fact that the customer base is large and independent, collection terms are short and there exists credit limit controls applicable to each individual sale transaction.
F-48
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Changes in the allowance for doubtful receivables were as follows:
| Balance as of January 1, 2022 | |||||
| Increases | |||||
| Gain on net monetary position | ( | ||||
| Decreases (*) | ( | ||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | |||||
| Increases, net of recoveries | |||||
| Gain on net monetary position | ( | ||||
| Decreases (*) | ( | ||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | |||||
22. CASH AND BANKS
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| In Pesos | |||||||||||
| In Dollars | |||||||||||
| In Euros | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
23. CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER RELATED ACCOUNTS
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Capital stock | |||||||||||
| Capital adjustment | |||||||||||
| Treasury shares | ( | ||||||||||
| Share-based payment plans | |||||||||||
| Treasury shares trading premium | |||||||||||
| Share premium | |||||||||||
| Merger premium | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
| The issued, paid-in and registered capital stock consists of: | |||||||||||
Common stock with a face value of | |||||||||||
Since fiscal year 2021, based on the context and the Group’s financial position, the Board of Directors approved various plans for the acquisition of own shares. The purpose of these plans was to use a portion of the Company’s liquidity in an efficient manner, which might result in a higher shareholder return and therefore increase shareholder value considering the current value of the shares. Pursuant to Article 64 of the Capital Markets Law, treasury stock may not exceed, as a whole, the limit of 10 % of capital stock. Such acquisitions were made with realized and liquid profits, as the Company had the necessary liquidity to conduct the acquisition of treasury stock, as approved, without affecting its solvency.
F-49
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Until the date of these consolidated financial statements, the Group acquired 12,352,329 own shares for a total value of 19,972,158 and 27,542 ADRs for a total value of 106,458 , whose destination has been the following, with no own shares in the portfolio as of that date:
•Within the framework of the incentive programs for senior staff, 17,473 and 10,069 ADRs were distributed in the months of January 2023 and 2022, respectively.
•On April 25, 2023, the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Shareholders' Meeting approved the voluntary reduction of the Company's share capital for a total of 12,543,339 ordinary shares (which included 12,352,329 shares in the portfolio and 191,010 unnamed actions).
On the other hand, on December 19, 2023, taking into account the context and financial position of the Group, the Board of Directors approved a new plan for the acquisition of own shares for up to a maximum amount of $600 million and for a period of up to on March 30, 2024. During the month of January 2024, the Group acquired 25,650 ADRs for a total value of 146,403 .
F-50
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
24. BORROWINGS
24.1. Composition of borrowings
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Borrowings | |||||||||||
| - In foreign currency | |||||||||||
| - In local currency | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
| Non-current borrowings | |||||||||||
| Current borrowings | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
24.2 Detail of borrowings
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. | Company | Rate | Last maturity date | Amount | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings in foreign currency - US$ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Dubai) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | 3-Month Libor + | Nov-23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Dubai) | (1) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | 3-Month Libor + | Jul-24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | Jun-24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | Jul-24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | May-23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | May-23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | Mar-23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | Feb-23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | Feb-23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banco Patagonia | (2) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | Feb-23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowings in foreign currency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings in local currency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank overdrafts | (3) | Ferrosur Roca S.A. | Jan-24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank overdrafts | (3) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | Jan-24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank overdrafts | (4) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | Jan-23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank overdrafts | (3) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | Jan-23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities-guaranteed borrowing | (5) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | Jan-23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowings in local currency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F-51
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. | Company | Rate | Last maturity date | Amount | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate notes - US$ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serie – Class 2 | (6) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | Dec-25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serie – Class 3 | (6) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | Mar-26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serie – Class 4 | (6) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | Mar-26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total corporate bonds in foreing currency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. | Company | Rate | Last maturity date | Amount | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate notes - Ps. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serie – Class 1 | (7) | Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | BADLAR + | Aug-24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total corporate bonds in local currency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | In April 2022, Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. entered into a loan agreement abroad with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited for US$ | ||||
| (2) | During the fiscal year 2023 and 2022 , Ferrosur Roca S.A. entered into several contracts in US dollars with Banco Patagonia, accruing interest at a fixed rate. | ||||
| (3) | As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Group carries bank overdrafts in the amount of | ||||
| (4) | In addition, on July 7, 2022, the Company entered into a loan agreement with HSBC Bank Argentina S.A. for | ||||
| (5) | As of December 31, 2022, Loma Negra entered into fundraising agreements through securities-guaranteed borrowings, using its own shares as guarantee at an annual nominal average rate of | ||||
F-52
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
| (6) | On June 21, 2023, September 11, 2023 and November 2, 2023, the Company issued its Class 2, 3 and 4 Corporate Bonds in dollars for a total amount of US$ | ||||
| (7) | On February 22, 2023, the Company issued its Class 1 Corporate Bonds for a total amount of $ | ||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Total borrowings by company: | |||||||||||
| - Loma Negra C.I.A.S.A. | |||||||||||
| - Ferrosur Roca S.A. | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
24.3 Movements of borrowings
The movements of borrowings for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, are disclosed below:
| Balances as of January 1, 2023 | |||||
| New borrowings and financing | |||||
| Issuance of corporate bonds | |||||
| Accrued interest | |||||
| Effects of foreign exchange rate variation | |||||
| Gain on net monetary position | ( | ||||
| Interest payments | ( | ||||
| Principal payments | ( | ||||
| Balances as of December 31, 2023 | |||||
As of December 31, 2023, long-term borrowings have the following maturity schedule:
| Fiscal year | ||||||||
| 2025 | ||||||||
| 2026 | ||||||||
| Total | ||||||||
F-53
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
25. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Current | |||||||||||
| Suppliers | |||||||||||
| Related parties (Note 19) | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable for investments in property, plant and equipment | |||||||||||
| Provisions for expenses | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
26. PROVISIONS
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Labor and social security | |||||||||||
| Environmental restoration | |||||||||||
| Civil and other | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
Changes in provisions are as follows:
| Labor and social security | Environmental restoration | Civil and other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increases (*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on net monetary position | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Decreases (**) | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increases (*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on net monetary position | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Decreases (**) | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(*) The increase in the environmental provision includes the increase resulting from changes in the measurement of liabilities arising from the estimated restoration schedule and the discount rates used as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, the effect of which has adjusted the cost of the relevant assets.
(**) It includes the uses of provisions for specific purposes.
The provision for labor and social security claims represents the present value of the best estimate of future cash flows that will be required for the Group to cover labor and social security litigations. All the provisioned claims are of a similar nature and none of them is individually significant.
Environmental provisions are the provisions made to afford the estimated expenses for the environmental recovery and restoration of the mining areas and the retirement of assets used in production activities, as mentioned in Note 3.12.
The provision for civil and other claims represents the present value of the best estimate of future cash flows that will be required for the Group to cover tax, administrative and civil litigations. All the provisioned claims are of a similar nature and none of them is individually significant.
F-54
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
As of December 31, 2023, as mentioned in Note 3.12, there are claims against the Group classified as possible contingencies. The potential risk amount of those claims is $4,925 million, mainly including $434 million related to tax contingencies, $685 million related to labor contingencies, and $3,806 million related to administrative, commercial and other proceedings. The Group has not recognized a provision for such possible claims, as it is not required under IFRS. As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, the Group understands there is no evidence to determine that other contingencies could materialize and have a negative impact on the consolidated financial statements.
27. TAX LIABILITIES
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Income tax | |||||||||||
| Value added tax | |||||||||||
| Turnover tax | |||||||||||
| Other taxes | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
28. OTHER LIABILITIES
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Non-current | |||||||||||
| Benefit plans | |||||||||||
| Termination payment plans | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
| Current | |||||||||||
| Termination payment plans | |||||||||||
| Dividends payable to related parties (Note 19) | |||||||||||
| Dividends payable to third parties minority | |||||||||||
| Agreement for settlement of claims | |||||||||||
| Others | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
29. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
For purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and banks, and short-term investments with high liquidity (with maturities of less than 90 days from the date of acquisition), held to settle short term liabilities, which are easily convertible into cash and that have low risk of changes in their value. Cash and cash equivalents
F-55
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
at the end of each reporting period as disclosed in the consolidated statement of cash flows can be reconciled to the related items in the consolidated statement of financial position as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash and banks (Note 22) | |||||||||||||||||
| Short-term investments (Note 16) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||||||||
30. NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS
Below is a detail of the transactions that did not involve cash flows in each fiscal year:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| - Right of use assets and lease liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| - Acquisition of financed property, plant and equipment | |||||||||||||||||
| - Delivery of shares – benefit plans | |||||||||||||||||
31. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company has adopted IFRS 8 Operating Segments, that requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports regarding components of the Company that are regularly reviewed by the Executive Committee, the chief operating decision maker, in order to allocate resources and to assess their performance.
This analysis is based on monthly information consisting of historical figures of the identified segments. The information reviewed by the main decision maker consists of the historical details for each month accumulated until the end of the reporting periods being analyzed, which is the reason why they differ from the inflation-adjusted figures as described in Note 2.2.
For management purposes, both financially and operatively, the Company has classified its businesses' activities as follows:
i)Cement, masonry cement and lime: this segment includes profit or loss from the cement, masonry cement and lime business, from procurement of raw materials in quarries, the manufacturing process of clinker and quicklime and their subsequent grinding with certain aggregates for the production of cement, masonry cement and lime.
ii)Concrete: this segment includes profits or loss from the production and sale of ready-mix concrete. It also includes the delivery of the product at the worksite and, depending on the circumstances, the pumping of concrete up to the place of destination.
iii)Aggregates: this segment includes profits or loss from the aggregates business, from obtaining to crushing the stone.
iv)Rail Services: this segment includes profits or loss from the provision of rail transportation services.
v)Others: this segment includes profits or loss from the industrial waste treatment and recycling business for use as fuel.
F-56
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Cement, masonry cement and lime | |||||||||||||||||
| Concrete | |||||||||||||||||
| Rail services | |||||||||||||||||
| Aggregates | |||||||||||||||||
| Others | |||||||||||||||||
| Segment-to-segment eliminations | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect from restatement in constant currency | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | |||||||||||||||||
| Cement, masonry cement and lime | |||||||||||||||||
| Concrete | |||||||||||||||||
| Rail services | |||||||||||||||||
| Aggregates | |||||||||||||||||
| Others | |||||||||||||||||
| Segment-to-segment eliminations | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect from restatement in constant currency | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Selling, administrative and other expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Cement, masonry cement and lime | |||||||||||||||||
| Concrete | |||||||||||||||||
| Rail services | |||||||||||||||||
| Aggregates | |||||||||||||||||
| Others | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect from restatement in constant currency | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
F-57
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Cement, masonry cement and lime | |||||||||||||||||
| Concrete | |||||||||||||||||
| Rail services | |||||||||||||||||
| Aggregates | |||||||||||||||||
| Others | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect from restatement in constant currency | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Revenues less cost of sales, selling and administrative expenses, and other gains and losses | |||||||||||||||||
| Cement, masonry cement and lime | |||||||||||||||||
| Concrete | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Rail services | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Aggregates | |||||||||||||||||
| Others | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect from restatement in constant currency | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Reconciling items | |||||||||||||||||
| Tax on debits and credits to bank accounts | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment of property, plant and equipment - Cement | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Financial results (loss), net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Income tax | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net profit for the year | |||||||||||||||||
In relation to the segregation of profit or loss by geographic segment, the Group carries out its activities and operations in Argentina, exports are not significant.
32. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
32.1 Capital risk management
The Group manages its capital stock to ensure that its entities will be able to continue as a going concern while maximizing the return to its shareholders through the optimization of debt and equity balances. The Group’s strategy has not changed for the financial years 2023 and 2022.
The Group and its subsidiaries participate in transactions involving financial instruments, recognized as equity items, which are intended to meet their needs and to reduce exposure to market, currency and interest rate risks. These risks, as well as their respective instruments, are managed through the definition of strategies, the implementation of control systems, and the determination of exposure limits.
F-58
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
The Group’s capital structure consists of net debt (borrowings as detailed in Note 24 offset against cash, banks and short term investments) and shareholders’ equity (consisting of issued capital stock, reserves and retained earnings).
The Group is not subject to any external capital requirement.
The Group’s risk management committee reviews the capital structure of the Group.
Net debt-to-equity ratio:
The net debt-to-equity ratio for the reporting fiscal years is as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Debt (i) | |||||||||||
| Cash and current investment | |||||||||||
| Net debt | |||||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity (ii) | |||||||||||
| Net debt-to-equity ratio and shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
(i)Debt is defined as long and short-term borrowings.
32.2 Categories of financial instruments
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Financial Assets | |||||||||||
| At amortized cost: | |||||||||||
| Cash and banks | |||||||||||
| Investments | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable and other receivables | |||||||||||
| At fair value through profit or loss: | |||||||||||
| Investments | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Financial Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Amortized cost | |||||||||||
At the end of this reporting period, there are no significant credit risk concentrations for debt instruments designated at fair value through profit or loss. The carrying amount reflected above represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk for such instruments.
32.3 Financial risk management objectives
The treasury function offers services to business, coordinates access to domestic and international financial markets, monitors and manages the financial risks related to the Group’s operations through internal risk reports, which analyze exposures depending on the degree and extent thereof. These risks include market risk (including currency risk, interest rate at fair value and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Company and its subsidiaries do not employ or traded derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Monitoring compliance with these provisions policy is made by the executive committee and the internal audit team.
F-59
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
32.4 Foreign exchange risk management
The Group carries out transactions in foreign currency; and is hence exposed to exchange rate fluctuations, also considering the current exchange regulations in force. Exposures in the exchange rate are managed within approved policy parameters using foreign exchange contracts.
The carrying amounts of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency at the end of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||
| United States Dollars | |||||||||||
| Euros | |||||||||||
| Reales | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||
| United States Dollars | |||||||||||
| Euros | |||||||||||
32.4.1. Foreign currency sensitivity analysis
The Group is mainly exposed to the US Dollar and Euro, considering that the Group’s functional currency is the Argentine peso.
The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to an increase in the exchange rate of the US Dollar and the Euro as of December 31, 2023. The sensitivity rate is the rate used when reporting exchange rate risk internally to key management staff and represents management’s assessment of a possible reasonable change in exchange rates. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding monetary items denominated in foreign currency and adjusts their translation on the balance sheet day for a 25 % change in the exchange rate, considering for its calculation the whole of the items of the subsidiaries.
| US Dollar effect | Euro effect | ||||||||||
| Income for the year | |||||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity | |||||||||||
Additionally, considering the exchange regulations currently applicable in Argentina, the Group constantly monitors the alternatives for collecting assets and settling liabilities in foreign currency and the related impact. The gain/loss arising from the use of financial instruments to settle transactions in foreign currency is recognized when the Group unconditionally commits to or irreversibly executes such settlement. As of December 31, 2023, the use of financial instruments to settle the above transactions would result in an impact of approximately 21 %
Likewise, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the gain/loss from using such instruments to settle certain financial borrowings was Ps. 1,836,132 and Ps. 54,919,417 and is recorded in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income within financial results as "Loss from securities transactions” (Note 10).
F-60
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
32.5 Interest rate risk management
The Group is exposed to the risk of significant fluctuations in interest rates because Group entities have borrowings at both fixed and floating interest rates. The Group manages this risk by maintaining an appropriate combination of fixed- and floating-rate borrowings.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Financial Assets: | |||||||||||
| Investments held to maturity (1) | |||||||||||
| Investments at fair value through profit or loss (2) | |||||||||||
| Financial Liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Amortized cost (3) | |||||||||||
(1)Fixed-term deposits at fixed rates.
(2)Short-term investments at floating rates.
(3)Related to borrowings, as detailed in Note 24.
32.5.1. Interest rate sensitivity analysis
The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates for non-derivative financial instruments at the end of this fiscal year. For floating-rate liabilities, the analysis is prepared based on an average monthly debt balance. A 100-basis point increase or decrease is used when reporting interest rate risk internally to key management personnel and represents management’s assessment of the reasonable threshold to conduct an interest rate risk analysis.
In the event that the average SOFR rate applicable to financial liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, were 1.0 % higher than the average interest rate during that fiscal year, financial expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, would have increased by approximately US$ 94,675 .
In the event that the average BADLAR rate applicable to financial liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, were 1.0 % higher than the average interest rate during that fiscal year, financial expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, would have increased by approximately 224,317 .
With regard to financial assets, a 1.0 % increase in the average interest rate during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, would have increased financial income by approximately 44,318 .
32.6 Credit risk management
Credit risk refers to the risk that one of the parties will fail to comply with its contractual obligations and resulting in a financial loss to the Group. The Group has adopted a policy of engaging only with solvent parties and obtaining sufficient collateral, where appropriate, as a way of mitigating the risk of financial loss caused by defaults. Credit exposure is controlled by counterparty limits, which are reviewed and approved periodically.
Trade receivables are made up of a significant number of customers. Credit assessment is continuously performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable.
Credit risk on liquid funds and financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by credit rating agencies.
The carrying amount of financial assets recognized in the consolidated financial statements, which is net of impairment losses, represents the maximum exposure to credit risk, regardless of the guarantees of accounts or other credit enhancements.
F-61
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
32.7 Liquidity risk management
The Group’s Board of Directors has the ultimate responsibility for liquidity management, having established an appropriate framework for liquidity management so that management is able to deal with short-, medium- and long-term financing requirements, as well as the Group’s liquidity management. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining reserves, adequate financial and lending facilities, continuously monitoring projected and actual cash flows, and reconciling the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.
The Group carefully manages liquidity risk, and therefore it maintains cash and bank balances, liquid instruments, and available funds.
The Group’s Board of Directors considers that exposure to liquidity risk is low as the Group has generated cash flows from its operating activities, as a result of its operations, and has access to borrowings and financial resources, as explained in Note 24.
The following tables show the Group’s remaining contractual maturity dates for its non-derivative financial liabilities with agreed repayment terms. The tables have been drawn up based on undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Group may be required to pay. The tables include both interest and principal cash flows. To the extent that interest flows are at floating rates, the undiscounted amount is derived from interest rate curves at the end of this reporting period.
| Borrowings | Weighted average effective interest rate % | Less than 1 month | From 1 to 3 months | From 3 months to 1 year | From 1 to 3 years | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leases | Weighted average effective interest rate % | Less than 1 month | From 1 to 3 months | From 3 months to 1 year | From 1 to 3 years | From 3 to 6 years | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | (*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | (*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
32.8 Fair value measurements
Some of the Group’s financial assets are measured at fair value at the end of this reporting period. The following table provides information on how the fair values of these financial assets are measured (particularly, valuation techniques and inputs used).
| Fair value at: | Hierarchy level | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual Funds | Level 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Level 1: quoted price in an active market.
F-62
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
Fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities measured at amortized cost:
The estimated fair value of borrowings based on the interest rates offered to the Group (Level 3) for financial borrowings amounted to 145,786,056 and 64,288,430 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Board considers that the carrying amounts of the remaining financial assets and liabilities recognized at amortized cost in the consolidated financial statements approximate their fair values.
33. GUARANTEES GRANTED TO SUBSIDIARIES
34. RESTRICTED ASSETS
35. COMMITMENTS
The Group has certain contractual commitments to purchase slag valid until 2028. The estimate of future cash flows is approximately Ps. 5,286,581 thousand per year. Additionally, it has commitments to purchase granite stone up to 2025 for an annual average of Ps. 2.5 million.
In the ordinary course of business, to ensure the supply of key inputs, the Group has entered into contracts for the supply of gas, assuming payment commitments for a total amount of approximately Ps. 65,227 million, of which Ps. 31,352 million is payable during fiscal year 2024, Ps. 22,332 million during fiscal year 2025, Ps. 8,811 million during fiscal year 2026 and Ps. 2,732 million during 2027.
In addition, the Group has entered into power supply agreements with certain suppliers for a total amount of Ps. 91,300 million, of which Ps. 11,425 million per year is payable until 2028 and, and Ps. 34,175 million from 2029.
The Group entered into product sales contracts under which it has undertaken to supply concrete and cement so that a third party can carry out residential projects in the province of Buenos Aires and the City of Buenos Aires. The contracts provide that the Group shall collect a portion of the concrete sales in kind by receiving functional units of the real estate developments upon completion, for which the related agreements of sale have been signed. In addition, the contracts include various rights and obligations for the parties to ensure fulfillment of the main purpose of the contract, which is the purchase and sale of concrete.
36. FUND ADMINISTRATION TRUST FOR INVESTMENT WORKS
On February 5, 2013, a trust agreement was entered into between Ferrosur Roca S.A. and Banco de la Nación Argentina to conduct the formalization process necessary to manage the funds paid by Ferrosur Roca S.A. for the investment works intended to strengthen the interurban rail system.
The trust assets are the amounts contributed by the trustor which are amounts resulting from the application of the Memorandum of Agreement entered into between the Group and "Unidad de Renegociación y Análisis de Contratos de Servicios Públicos" (Unit for the Renegotiation and Analysis of Public Service Contracts) dated May 19, 2008 and ratified by Decree No. 2017 of November 25, 2008, the income that the trust might earn from temporary placement of idle resources, the funds existing in the current account that the Group held at Standard Bank as of February 2013 and any other amounts that must be added to the trust.
F-63
LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
With the enactment of Resolution No. 218 by the Ministry of Transport on July 27, 2016, which was published on August 3, 2016, the procedure for the certification of works proposed by the railway concessionaires was established.
Exhibits I and II of the above-mentioned resolution set a clear procedure whereby the Group must submit the projects of the works to be funded with the trust funds, the circuit to study the projects by the different agencies (National Committee for Transportation Regulation, ADIP and Secretariat of Transportation), the requirements for approval and the contents of the administrative act to be handed down by the competent authority approving the project and the maximum amount to be assigned to the trust accounts for such project.
Based on the new regulation, the Company recognizes in other receivables the contributions to the Trust Fund for the Strengthening of the Interurban Railway System (“FFFSFI”) for which it has the right of reimbursement for infrastructure works under the concession agreements, net of an impairment reserve for the amounts it expects will not be recovered or used against future capital expenditures due to the concession end date. The contributions made during 2023 amounted to Ps. 576,786 .
37. RESTRICTIONS ON DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION
In accordance with the provisions of Law 19,550, the Group is required to make a legal reserve of not less than 5 % of the positive result arising from the sum of the income for the year, the adjustments from previous years, transfers of other comprehensive income to retained earnings, and accumulated income (losses) from previous years, to complete 20 % of the sum of capital stock and the capital adjustment balance.
38. FERROSUR ROCA S.A. CONCESSION AND RELATED RAIL SERVICES
On March 11, 1993, Ferrosur Roca S.A. obtained the concession of the General Roca National Cargo Railway Network with the exception of the Altamirano-Miramar corridor and the urban sections, through the approval of the concession contract formalized by National Executive Branch Decree No. 2681/92, after the presentation made through a national and international tender and formalized to that effect. The area of influence is concentrated in the center and south of the province of Buenos Aires, north of the province of Río Negro and Neuquén. It has access to the ports of Buenos Aires, Dock Sud, La Plata, Quequén, and Bahía Blanca.
Ferrosur Roca S.A. is indirectly controlled by the Company, through Cofesur S.A.U. which owns 80 % of the interest, 16 % of which belongs to the National State and the remaining 4 % belongs to the workers of Ferrosur Roca S.A. through a trust created for this purpose.
The term of the concession is 30 years, which expires in March 2023 , and originally provides for an extension of 10 additional years.
Ferrosur Roca S.A. requested the above-mentioned extension in due time on March 8, 2018, and in line with the bidding terms and conditions and the concession agreement. The concession extension request was reiterated on March 1, 2019.
On November 7, 2018, Decree No. 1027/2018, which regulated Law No. 27,132, was published in the Official Gazette. The relevant subjects were: readjustment of existing concession contracts with the possibility of extending them for a term not greater than 10 years, full implementation of an open access system on the day following expiration of the last
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LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
concession contract (of the three million private concessions existing at present), including extensions, with the possibility of initiating this modality in the branches that allow it when the planned investments are made; revision of technical standards; revision of the sanction regime, and creation of the registry of operators.
On March 29, 2021, through Resolution No. 219/2021, the National Commission for Transport Regulation (“CNRT”) approved the Rules and Regulations of the National Registry of Railway Operators and granted such capacity to Ferrosur Roca S.A. and the other railway concessionaires that operate the current concessions and, through Resolution No. 211 of the Ministry of Transport, published in the Official Gazette on June 28, 2021, and rejected the request for an extension of the concession contracts duly submitted by all the private railway concessionaires. Therefore, the railway concession operated by the Company expired at the end of its original term, that is, on March 10, 2023. The purpose of the National State is that the national railway network be based on a mixed modality combining public and private cargo operators, where the National State will manage the infrastructure and control the related investments, thus allowing any registered railway operator to provide railway services regardless of who owns or possesses the facilities at the point of loading or destination.
Consequently, the Group understands that, at the end of its concession, it will continue to provide the cargo transport rail services it currently provides but as a cargo operator under the terms set forth in Resolution No. 211, Law No. 27,132, and Decree No. 1027 dated November 7, 2018. To this end, the Group will have to readjust various operational issues once it hands over control of the railway infrastructure linked to its current concession to the National State. The Group’s Management understands that the intention of the National State is to prioritize the continuity of the current operators for each of the existing services and businesses, thus guaranteeing the best use of the experience they have acquired.
On June 9, 2022, the Ministry of Transport published Resolution No. 353/2022 in the Official Gazette, thus granting an 18-month extension to the concession granted to the concessionaire FerroExpreso Pampeano S.A., which expires on June 30, 2023, and setting the “canon” (concession fee) or toll to be paid by the railway operators using the Bahía Blanca – Rosario branch. Subsequently, on July 20, 2022, the National and International Comprehensive Projects Tender No. 1/2022 was published in the Official Gazette by Belgrano Cargas y Logística in order to award the railway operation of the Bahía Blanca – Rosario branch managed by such concession. The bid opening act was held on October 31, 2022, resulting in the tender being void.
On December 22, 2022, the Ministry of Transport published Resolution No. 960/2022 in the Official Gazette, by which the concessions of FerroExpreso Pampeano S.A., Nuevo Central Argentino S.A. and Ferrosur Roca S.A. were extended for 18 additional months as from the expiration date of their respective concessions. Therefore, the concession of Ferrosur Roca S.A. will end in September 2024.
Resolution No. 960/2022 provides that during the extended concession period the services will be delivered on a provisional basis and may be revoked at any time without this generating any subjective right, pending right or setting any precedent that may be claimed in favor of the operators, or otherwise the recognition of any amount for the potential early revocation of the additional concession term granted.
Notwithstanding the above scenario and considering the provisions of Resolution No. 960/2022, the Group has assessed the possible business scenarios, considering that its intention is to continue providing services as operator of the railway network. In these scenarios, the National State, which is responsible for managing the train traffic control systems and maintaining the railway infrastructure, would charge the Group a fee for the use of the railway infrastructure, which would replace direct maintenance expenses currently paid by the concessionaires plus applicable tolls. No other significant changes are currently known regarding the rest of the matters and activities as compared to the current business model of the Group. In addition, the Group’s assessment of the new business model has included estimation of the term for the provision of rail services, the routes and businesses that would be assigned, the future demand for rail freight services, and the allocation of fixed and variable costs in the Group’s new cost structure, among other issues.
Finally, the Group has reassessed all accounting estimates associated with the end of the current concession. No significant impact is expected as of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements in this regard. We will continue to monitor the new regulations as they come into effect, as well as the progress of ongoing negotiations with the National State and will record any related effect as soon as it is possible to make an estimate.
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LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
39. COMPLAINTS BROUGHT AGAINST THE GROUP AND OTHERS IN THE UNITED STATES
During 2018, two lawsuits were brought in the United States (“USA”) against the Group, its directors and some of its first-line managers and the controlling shareholder at the time of the Company’s initial public offering in 2017 (“Initial Public Offering” or “IPO”), one in federal court and the other in the state of New York.
Regarding the lawsuit filed in federal jurisdiction, after various motions from the parties, on April 27, 2020, the Court sustained the motion to dismiss filed by the Group. Finally, on July 21, 2020, the plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew the appeal filed against the judgment of first instance that fully sustained the motion to dismiss submitted by the Group. Accordingly, a final and conclusive judgment was rendered in favor of the Group and the rest of the defendants, and the lawsuit came to an end.
Regarding the state class action (Kohl v. Loma Negra CIASA, et al. -Index No. 653114/2018 - Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York), the complaint was filed with the state courts of New York in June 2018 by Dan Kohl –a shareholder who acquired ADSs issued by the Company during its 2017 initial public offering. The banks that placed the ADSs have also been sued. In the complaint, the plaintiff alleges assumed violations of the US Federal Securities Law on grounds of allegedly false representations contained in the Offering Memorandum and/or failure to include relevant information. On March 13, 2019, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which, after various instances, resulted in a partially favourable ruling for the Group dated June 1, 2021. This ruling narrowed down the grounds on which the case could proceed according to the plaintiff's allegations, leaving only two points out of all the claims to be addressed in the discovery process: (i) whether there were indeed irregularities on the part of an affiliate of the Group, and (ii) whether it is true that there was a slowdown in payments for public works at the time of the IPO.
In addition, on January 11, 2021, the plaintiff requested to certify the case as a class action, which, after various submissions from the parties, was granted by the court on December 2, 2021.
On January 6, 2022, the case was reassigned from Judge Schecter to another judge in the Commercial Division of the New York Supreme Court, Judge Borrok.
On October 11, 2023, we entered into a proposed agreement with the lead plaintiff which received the preliminary approval from the New York State Court on November 30, 2023. On April 10, 2024 the final approval by the New York State Court was granted. The completion of the Settlement is contingent on a final class payment, to be made before October 11, 2024, which is covered by our Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance policies. Once such payment has been made, the New York State Court should issue the final judgment and the case will end
The Agreement does not contain any admission or acknowledgment of guilt for wrongful conduct by Loma Negra or other defendants in the class action, and it includes a release of all claims.
The material payment obligations under the agreement are covered by insurance policies contracted by the Company, with a significant portion of the Agreement amount having been paid in December 2023, which is deposited in the court’s escrow accounts. There is still an additional payment that must be made 365 days from the signing of the Agreement.
Due to the Group having signed the agreement reached with the lead plaintiff, which was finally approved by the Court, a provision has been recorded for the final committed payment and a credit for the coverage of the insurance policies contracted regarding said payment.
40. INVESTIGATION PROCEEDINGS STARTED BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE DEFENSE OF COMPETITION
On November 2, 2022, the Company was notified that proceedings were started by the National Commission for the Defense of Competition (“CNDC” for the Spanish initials of Comisión Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia) pursuant to Law No. 27,442 on Defense of Competition to investigate alleged anti-competitive conduct by the Company. The investigation proceedings initiated do not imply an accusation against the Company for its conduct.
During February 2023, the CNDC gave the Company notice of a request for information in relation to the above proceedings.
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LOMA NEGRA COMPAÑÍA INDUSTRIAL ARGENTINA SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(figures expressed in thousands of pesos - $ - except as otherwise stated)
As part of the investigation, the Company has provided and will continue to provide the information and evidence that the CNDC may require and has declared that it has always complied with applicable rules and regulations on relations with competitors and compliance and ethics policies.
41. THE ARGENTINE CONTEXT
On December 10, 2023, new authorities of the Argentine national government took office and began the process of issuing a series of emergency measures in order to face the critical economic situation. The main objectives of the measures include, among others, make more flexible rules for economic development, reduction of different public expenses with the aim of reducing the fiscal deficit, and reduction of subsidies. In the context of the change of government, there was a significant devaluation of the Argentine peso, reflected in the official exchange rate, which raised from approximately 360 pesos per dollar to 800.
Regarding the level of public Argentine debt, there are significant commitments for the coming years, as well as the need to obtain refinancing during the year 2024, both in local and foreign currency. Additionally, other critical macroeconomic indicators are presented such as the fiscal deficit, the reserves of the Argentine Central Bank, as well as the inflation indicators published by the local statistics bureau (INDEC), with retail inflation of more than 210% during the year 2023.
The comprehensive program that the government intends to implement includes reforms in the economy, justice, foreign affairs, infrastructure and others. Some of the measures necessary to carry out the plan will be implemented through one or more executive orders and other measures will require specific laws that must be dealt with by the National Congress, all of which will be part of the legislative agenda and the executive orders to be issued by Argentine President in the coming months.
42. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Group has considered events after December 31, 2023, to assess whether it is necessary to recognize or disclose them in these consolidated financial statements. Such events were assessed through April 29, 2024, the date when the consolidated financial statements were available for issue.
42.1 Repurchase of common stock
Subsequent to the end of this fiscal year, the Group has executed a treasury shares repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors on December 19, 2023 as explained in Note 23.
42.2 Annual shareholders’ meeting
The annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2024, approved (i) to allocate the sum of Ps. 6,876 million (in December 31, 2023 currency) to the Optional Reserve for Future Dividends; and (ii) to delegate to the Board of Directors the power to totally or partially release and distribute in cash and/or in kind, one or more payments, the amount in constant currency of the Optional Reserve for Future Dividends depending on the evolution of the business and the regulatory restrictions and limitations through the next annual shareholders meeting that will consider the financial statements corresponding to the year ending December 31, 2024.
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