Mineral Sands Prices28 Jul 2021 12:49
With great thanks to Observantken on the ISE Kenmare chat. Compare these prices to the last mine valuation, huge growth in mine value.
Ilmenite Prices
At the end of May 2021, Hannam Research wrote "Shifts in consumer behavior continue to support upward pressure in the TiO2 market, with paint and coating demand sustained by an uptick in DIY sales globally and low housebuilder inventories. Industrialisation should underpin demand in the long-term as GDP grows in emerging economies in tandem with
urbanisation. Based on ilmenite indices available on Bloomberg, Chinese domestic pricing is now around US$330/t, while import prices could be as high as US$405/t." It will be interesting to see what realised price Kenmare announces with its H1 results next month. If they're not achieving close to $300/t in H2, shareholders should be asking questions about the marketing department's competence.
Zircon Prices.
According to Argus Media (24 June 2021): "Zirconium silicate prices have climbed to eight-year highs as rising demand and disruptions to zircon output are tightening the market, with prices expected to continue increasing. Australia's Base Resources reported a "significant" price increase for June-quarter contracts. Iluka boosted its price for standard and premium zircon by $70/t from April this year, and it is set to raise the price further. Australia's PYX Resources, which produces premium zircon in Indonesia, has hiked its price for the third time this year, by $210/t to $1,750/t for July shipments, representing a total increase of $355/t so far this year." Again, it will be interesting to see what price Kenmare is achieving. If the company cannot achieve EBITDA of at least $200m next year (2022), then when will it? The major shareholders should be asking questions.