Tag: Industrial Metals & Mining

LithiumBank Resources (LBNKF) – Compelling Boardwalk Preliminary Economic Assessment Provides an Excellent Starting Point

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Friday, May 26, 2023

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Initial preliminary economic assessment. LithiumBank Resources released highlights from the initial preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its Boardwalk lithium brine project in Alberta, Canada. The PEA was based on average annual production of 31,350 tonnes of battery grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) over a 20-year period, an average price of US$26,000 per tonne of LHM, operating expense of US$6,807 per tonne LHM, and annual EBITDA of US$586 million. The net present value of the project is estimated at US$2.7 billion on a pre-tax basis and US$1.7 billion on an after-tax basis. The initial capital cost of the project is expected to be US$2.1 billion. The expected payback period is 4.1 years on a pre-tax basis and 4.5 years on an after-tax basis.

An excellent starting point. While the preliminary economic assessment differs in many respects to our own initial assumptions, in many ways it is in the ballpark. Importantly, it compares favorably with preliminary economic assessments of similar projects. Management has identified multiple opportunities to significantly enhance project economics that we think could increase the pre-tax net present value to over US$3.0 billion, including annual EBITDA of US$700 million.


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Century Lithium Corp. (CYDVF) – From Nevada Claystone to Battery Grade Lithium Carbonate

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Friday, May 26, 2023

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Consistency is key. Century Lithium produced lithium carbonate grading 99.87% from lithium-bearing claystone sourced from its Clayton Valley Lithium project. Several kilograms of high purity lithium carbonate were made from lithium solution produced at Century’s pilot lithium extraction facility. Following leaching and direct lithium extraction at the pilot plant, solutions were shipped to Saltworks Technologies Inc. for final processing. The results were in line with those reported in September 2022 when lithium carbonate grading 99.94% was produced.

Feasibility study expected in 2H 2023. The Clayton Valley feasibility study is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023. Major areas of the study are finished and estimates for capital and operating cost estimates have been received, including those for the chlor-alkali plant portion of the project. The estimates are being consolidated and reviewed, along with opportunities for further optimization and cost reduction.


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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Eskay Mining Corp. (ESKYF) – 2023 Exploration Program Informed by Robust Geophysical Analysis

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Friday, May 19, 2023

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Focus on geophysics. In March, Mr. Riaz Mirza was appointed as a Geophysical Advisor to Eskay Mining’s exploration team. Mr. Mirza is the founder of Simcoe Geoscience Limited, a global geophysical service provider, and has significant experience exploring a variety of deposit types including volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. Mr. Mirza and Simcoe Geoscience Limited were engaged to review Eskay Mining’s geophysical data from its Consolidated Eskay Project area with the goal of drawing direct comparisons to the original Eskay Creek precious metal-rich VMS deposit which is considered among the world’s most precious metal-rich volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits.

Cut from the same cloth. The Eskay Mining and Simcoe teams quickly identified compelling similarities. The same distinct magnetic signatures observed at the Eskay Creek deposit are visible at numerous locations across the Consolidated Eskay Property.


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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

LithiumBank Resources (LBNKF) – Achieving Rapid Progress on Multiple Fronts

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Monday, May 15, 2023

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Carbon neutral lithium production. In April, LithiumBank signed a memorandum of understanding with ZS2 Technologies Inc. for the eventual deployment of ZS2’s proprietary and patented direct-air-capture technology to capture carbon dioxide emissions from LithiumBank’s Boardwalk and Park Place projects. ZS2 will also process treated brine to collect magnesium and calcium for use in their proprietary magnesium cement products. The ZS2 processing facility will generate acid and base byproducts that can cost effectively be used in LithiumBank’s lithium processing plant at Boardwalk. The collaboration with ZS2 supports LithiumBank’s goal of becoming a carbon neutral lithium producer in Alberta.

Flow-through private placement. In April, LithiumBank announced a C$6 million “bought deal” private placement of 3,158,000 units issued on a charity flow-through (FT) basis at a price of C$1.90 per FT unit for gross proceeds of C$6,000,200. Each FT unit is comprised of one common share to be issued as a flow-through share and three quarters of one common share purchase warrant. Each FT warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one non-flow-through common share at an exercise price of C$2.00 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. The proceeds will fund eligible exploration expenditures.


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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Largo Inc. ( LGO) – First Quarter Preview

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Wednesday, May 03, 2023

Largo has a long and successful history as one of the world’s preferred vanadium companies through the supply of its VPURE™ and VPURE+™ products, which are sourced from one of the world’s highest-grade vanadium deposits at the Company’s Maracás Menchen Mine in Brazil. Aiming to enhance value creation at Largo, the Company is in the process of implementing a titanium dioxide pigment plant using feedstock sourced from its existing operations in addition to advancing its U.S.-based clean energy division with its VCHARGE vanadium batteries. Largo’s VCHARGE vanadium batteries contain a variety of innovations, enabling an efficient, safe and ESG-aligned long duration solution that is fully recyclable at the end of its 25+ year lifespan. Producing some of the world’s highest quality vanadium, Largo’s strategic business plan is based on two pillars: 1.) leading vanadium supplier with an outlined growth plan and 2.) U.S.-based energy storage business support a low carbon future.

Michael Heim, Senior Vice President, Equity Research Analyst, Energy & Transportation, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Largo, Inc. will release 2023-1Q financial results on May 10th and hold a conference call to discuss results on May 11th. The company has previously (4/18/23) disclosed quarterly V2O5 production of 2,111 tonnes and sales of 2,849 tonnes. Sales were significantly above previous guidance of 2,300-2,500 tonnes. Consequently, we expect result to show improvement over the first quarter of last year when Largo sold 2,232 tonnes. We would note that 2023-1Q sales include 245 tonnes of purchased material, which we assume was done at a higher cost than produced V2O5.

Management’s guidance for the second quarter shows a build back of inventory. Management projects 2023-2Q production of 3,000-3,200 tonnes and sales of 2,300-2,500 tonnes. The reduction in sales and increase in production versus the first quarter could mean second quarter results will be below that reported in the first quarter. Importantly, some cost incurred during any quarter’s production may carry over into the next quarter when sales are completed. This will partially offset the impact of rising production and falling sales.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Defense Metals Corp. (DFMTF) – Pilot Plant Program Moves to Phase II

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Defense Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral deposits containing metals and elements commonly used in the electric power market, defense industry, national security sector and in the production of green energy technologies, such as, rare earths magnets used in wind turbines and in permanent magnet motors for electric vehicles. Defense Metals owns 100% of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Property located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Defense Metals Corp. trades in Canada under the symbol “DEFN” on the TSX Venture Exchange, in the United States, under “DFMTF” on the OTCQB and in Germany on the Frankfurt Exchange under “35D”.

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Pilot plant program. The Wicheeda REE project pilot plant is being configured to produce a high purity rare earth precipitate suitable as feed stock for a rare earths element (REE) separation plant. The objective of the pilot plant is to demonstrate, at a larger scale, the processing of Wicheeda flotation concentrate to produce rare earths using the acid bake hydrometallurgy process and to collect data for a preliminary feasibility study which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.

On to Phase II. Phase I of the hydrometallurgical pilot plant operation was completed successfully (please refer to our research note dated April 13) and provided an opportunity to explore areas of the process where the efficiency of the hydrometallurgical process could be improved. Changes have been incorporated in the Phase II pilot plant program which began on April 24 and will run for 10 days. The data from the pilot plant will be used in the preliminary feasibility study.


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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Century Lithium Corp. (CYDVF) – Moving Right Along

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Feasibility study expected by mid-year. The Clayton Valley feasibility study is advancing and expected to be released mid-2023. The main categories of work outstanding are: 1) project execution plan and schedule, 2) draft estimates, 3) draft report, 4) final capital and operating cost estimates, 5) final engineering report, and 6) final technical report. The feasibility study is being led by Wood PLC, supported by Global Resource Engineering for the mining component, thyssenKrupp Nucera AG & Co. for the design of the chlor-alkali plant, and Saltworks for the extraction process.

Collaboration with Koch. Apart from the feasibility study, Century Lithium is collaborating with Koch Technology Solutions (KTS) in the application of its proprietary Li-Pro direct lithium extraction (DLE) process. Koch Engineered Solutions, the owners of the Lionex direct lithium extraction technology, will provide the engineering design and costs for the full-scale DLE portion of the processing plant for the Clayton Valley Project.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

LithiumBank Resources (LBNKF) – Gaining Momentum

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Thursday, April 06, 2023

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Collaboration with Invest Alberta. LithiumBank executed a Memorandum of Understanding with Invest Alberta Corporation (IAC) to support the development of a lithium production facility at the company’s Boardwalk brine project. Established as a crown corporation of the Government of Alberta, Invest Alberta promotes Alberta as an investment destination of choice to investors in Canada and internationally. LithiumBank’s commercial lithium production facility in northern Alberta could factor importantly in Alberta becoming a destination for critical mineral resource development and as a partner in the electrification supply chain.

Why is this collaboration important? With teams in Calgary and Edmonton along with 11 international locations, IAC connects industry, government partners, and economic development organizations and provides services to facilitate investment in Alberta. The organization will support LithiumBank by promoting the Boardwalk project domestically and internationally, facilitate relationships with key stakeholders and senior government officials, and bolster LithiumBank’s relationships with post-secondary institutions to create a qualified talent pipeline in support of the project.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Sierra Metals (SMT:CA) – Gaining Firmer Traction; Challenges Remain

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Friday, March 31, 2023

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Full year financial results. Sierra reported a 2022 adjusted net loss attributable to shareholders of $23.1 million or $(0.14) per share, compared with adjusted earnings of $21.6 million or $0.13 per share in 2021. Adjusted losses per share for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 were less than our estimates of $(0.07) and $(0.17), respectively, due in part to higher fourth quarter revenue and modestly lower cost of sales. Adjusted EBITDA fell 88% to $13.0 million compared to $104.7 million in the prior year. Annual copper equivalent production fell 29% due to lower throughput and grades.

2023 Guidance. Management’s focus has been to stabilize operations following challenges experienced in 2022 and to return to higher production levels on an economically sustainable basis. Sierra forecasts 2023 copper equivalent production in the range of 74.3 million to 83.3 million pounds. As of the end of March, the Bolivar mine is operating at 3,070 tonnes per day and is expected to gradually ramp up to 5,000 tonnes per day by year end. The Yauricocha mine is expected to operate at 2,375 tonnes per day throughout 2023. Management considers the Cusi silver mine to be a non-core asset and it was excluded from guidance.


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This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Largo Inc. (LGO) – Results disappointing but future remains bright.

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Largo has a long and successful history as one of the world’s preferred vanadium companies through the supply of its VPURE™ and VPURE+™ products, which are sourced from one of the world’s highest-grade vanadium deposits at the Company’s Maracás Menchen Mine in Brazil. Aiming to enhance value creation at Largo, the Company is in the process of implementing a titanium dioxide pigment plant using feedstock sourced from its existing operations in addition to advancing its U.S.-based clean energy division with its VCHARGE vanadium batteries. Largo’s VCHARGE vanadium batteries contain a variety of innovations, enabling an efficient, safe and ESG-aligned long duration solution that is fully recyclable at the end of its 25+ year lifespan. Producing some of the world’s highest quality vanadium, Largo’s strategic business plan is based on two pillars: 1.) leading vanadium supplier with an outlined growth plan and 2.) U.S.-based energy storage business support a low carbon future.

Michael Heim, CFA, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Sales and realized prices were down.  Production volumes (preannounced) fell 31% q-t-q due to maintenance and rain. Realized vanadium prices fell 12% with Largo prices falling below benchmark prices due to a drop in ferrovanadium prices and timing factors associated with contract deliveries. 

Costs were up. Operating costs continued to rise in the fourth quarter. The change in cost per unit produced was especially noteworthy as production levels dropped. Management has put a priority on controlling operating costs and expects costs in future quarters to decline. Non-operating cost remain high, although they have eased since the third quarter. 


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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Sierra Metals (SMT:CA) – Lowering Estimates

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Wednesday, March 01, 2023

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Weaker than expected Yauricocha financial results. Sierra Metals’ subsidiary Sociedad Minera Corona S.A, whose principal asset is the Yauricocha mine in Peru, recently filed its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2022. Fourth quarter and full year EBITDA were $(6.1) million and $14.2 million, respectively, compared with $19.0 million and $88.0 million during the prior year periods. Recall Sierra holds an 81.8% interest in Corona whose financial results have not been adjusted for the 18.2% non-controlling interest.

Lowering estimates. We have lowered our fourth quarter and full year 2022 EBITDA and EPS estimates to reflect weaker than expected performance at the Yauricocha mine in Peru. We forecast fourth quarter EBITDA and EPS of $(3.5) million and $(0.07), respectively, compared to our previous estimates of $0.4 million and $(0.05). For the full year, we project EBITDA of $10.0 million and a loss per share of $(0.17) compared with our previous estimates of $13.9 million and $(0.15), respectively. Our 2023 EBITDA and EPS estimates remain unchanged at $37.3 million and $(0.04). While our quarterly estimates reflect steady improvement, operational uncertainty associated with production at the company’s mines clouds our confidence in 2023 estimates.


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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Defense Metals Corp. (DFMTF) – Advancing Toward a Compelling Preliminary Feasibility Study

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Wednesday, March 01, 2023

Defense Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral deposits containing metals and elements commonly used in the electric power market, defense industry, national security sector and in the production of green energy technologies, such as, rare earths magnets used in wind turbines and in permanent magnet motors for electric vehicles. Defense Metals owns 100% of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Property located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Defense Metals Corp. trades in Canada under the symbol “DEFN” on the TSX Venture Exchange, in the United States, under “DFMTF” on the OTCQB and in Germany on the Frankfurt Exchange under “35D”.

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Favorable crushing and grinding test results. Defense Metals reported favorable crushing and grinding (comminution) results using multiple samples extracted from the Wicheeda deposit. The results will help determine the design of the crushing and grinding plant which will be included in the company’s Wicheeda REE project preliminary feasibility study (PFS) that is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.

The importance of starting off right. Crushing and grinding is the first step in processing mined material where ore is reduced to sand-like particles suitable for upgrading by flotation or other means. It accounts for a fairly significant percentage of the mineral processing plant energy requirements, production cost, and carbon emission profile.


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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

LithiumBank Resources (LBNKF) – Study Underscores the District-Scale Potential of Park Place

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Park Place hydrogeological study. LithiumBank Resources released results from a hydrogeological study at its 100% owned Park Place Lithium Brine Project located 180 kilometers west of Edmonton, Alberta, and 50 kilometers south of the company’s other flagship Boardwalk lithium brine project. The hydrogeological study was completed by Matrix Solutions and will be incorporated into a NI 43-101 compliant technical report and resource estimate which is expected in the second quarter of 2023.

Surprisingly favorable results. The hydrogeological study indicates Park Place hosts a combined 76.3 cubic kilometers of lithium-bearing brine, including 49.8 cubic kilometers within the Leduc Formation and 26.5 cubic kilometers within the Swan Hills Formation. By comparison, the company’s Boardwalk projects hosts 17.1 cubic kilometers of lithium-bearing brine. As a result, Park Place may be considered the largest reported lithium-rich brine project by volume in North America held by a single operator.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.