RE: LBP on TBP10 Jan 2021 17:43
Finally had a chance to have a good read on TBP .. very good .... a terrific place for newbies to start. Q23 .. could add:
Q23: BMN is a very well-run company, with impressive assets, and very exciting prospects.
Two of the 4 primary Vanadium producing Plants are in South Africa and owned by Bushveld Minerals. All serious industry commentary points to a Vanadium deficit with inventories run low. With the world embarking on an infrastructure spending spree post Covid large amounts of re-enforced steel is required. This coincides with the long awaited development and commissioning of large scale VFRB facilities.
One of the great hindrances to VFRB has been the high price volatility of vanadium meaning the electrolyte costs (around 30-40% of the whole system) could not be capitalised easily. Now there is Leasing where the capital cost is transferred to Opex of 3, 5 or more years. VFRB plants can now be fully capitalised in a normal way as a physical build, structure and asset value.
Vertical integration, simply put really means the following:
- Ore for processing - Bushveld has vast reserves and the new mining rights at Mokopane
- Vanadium for steel - Bushveld Minerals
- Electrolyte - Bushveld Energy
- Leased electrolyte - VERL (the new rental consortium with Bushveld at the core)
- VFRB systems - Invinity & Enerox - Bushveld has a stake and first rights to supply vanadium/electrolyte
At every stage of the value chain from ore to VFRB system, Bushveld has a big chunk of the action. Vertical Integration is having fingers in all the pies so no matter where you turn, it gets a slice.
As the commodity and cycle turns upwards and infrastructure building accelerates, Bushveld gains. The Orion funding arrangement takes production to at least 150% of current levels over the next 2-3 years with no debt as Vanadium pricing and usage accelerate worldwide.
A company with little debt, huge reserves, solid and growing free cash flow, visionary leadership and a very dedicated and growing workforce.
All businesses carry some level of risk, but unless the world dives into depression and stops building, there are few companies anyone could invest in with little or no downside, greater investment upside, and future high and sustained dividend potential.