The Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) share price has been off to a flying start in 2023. Could the remainder of the year house the company's maiden profit?
Let's break down the company's projected path to profitability to find if this could be the year shareholders are rewarded with positive earnings.
Right now, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium share is trading at $1.525. That's 24.5% higher than it was at the start of 2023.
For comparison, the ASX 200 has gained 7% year to date.
What is the ASX 200 lithium share up to?
Liontown Resources is currently working on its cornerstone Kathleen Valley lithium project, located in Western Australia.
The project is said to house one of the largest and highest-grade hard rock lithium deposits in the world. It's expected to be capable of producing around 500,000 tonnes of 6% lithium oxide concentrate every year.
It's no surprise, then, that the lithium share is so popular among ASX market watchers.
However, the first production – and potentially its first revenue – is still some way away.
Liontown likely won't post a profit in 2023
The key ingredient ASX 200 lithium shares need to achieve profitability is, of course, saleable product. Sadly, those expecting Liontown to produce saleable lithium in 2023 will likely be disappointed.
The company is aiming to achieve its first production at Kathleen Valley in mid-2024. And it still has quite a bit to spend before it reaches the milestone.
It's already sunk around $73 million into the venture and believes it has another $685 million or so to go.
Fortunately, it has around $385 million of cash and a $300 million debt facility provided by offtake partner and automaker Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F). Though, it will probably need additional capital prior to its maiden production.
On top of that, exploration at the company's Buldania project will likely weigh on its balance sheet over the coming years.
Though, the ASX 200 lithium share recently flagged an early revenue opportunity.
A change in the Kathleen Valley mining plan may have unlocked a direct ship ore (DSO) opportunity like that recently employed by Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO).
