RE: ...from Berenberg13 May 2021 13:35
Continued...
Catalyst rich – Stock offers numerous short-term catalysts as Havieron continues to be drilled and progressed further; to date, exploration results have been positive with the most recent set further suggesting that the resource has potential to grow. The main catalysts for the shares should be the results of the ongoing 65,000m drill programme that is planned for 2021 at the project and resultant updates to the resource. We expect a pre-feasibility study for Havieron in H2 2021 – this will be key as it will put some weight behind the numbers – followed by a feasibility study next year.
Entering the next phase – Mine development commenced in February with the box cut 90% complete and the surface works 85% complete. Mngmt expects development of the portal to start over the coming weeks; Newcrest is continuing to progress the approvals process with an objective of achieving commercial production within three years (aggressive but feasible given existing infrastructure and Newcrest’s track record in large-scale underground development). Another key element in the company’s transition to a developer, Shaun Day was appointed new CEO recently, taking over from Gervaise Heddle. His previous role as CFO of Northern Star Resources, where he oversaw the company’s market cap expansion from AUD700m to AUD8bn over five years, positions Mr Day well to lead Greatland into its next phase. We expect this new phase to merit a developer multiple rerate.
Building towards a multi asset company – Greatland holds 560km2 across the Paterson region; outside Havieron, projects include Juri (also JV with Newcrest), Scallywag, Rudall, and Canning (all 100% owned). The discovery of a second Havieron-style target would be transformational for the company. Beyond the Paterson, the company has a portfolio of wholly owned projects spanning across c1,160km2 with a mixture of gold and base metals (Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu). Greatland’s growth vision:
Juri JV: progress exploration programme at Juri which commenced in April 2021,
100% owned tenements: unlock value by systematically progressing through priority targets, and
M&A: complement inorganic growth.
Copper exposure – c20% of Havieron revenue is estimated to be derived from Cu, providing diversification benefits.
Valuation:
Our price target of GBp26 is based on an EV/ounce of USD646/oz, assuming that Greatland ultimately retains a 30% interest in Havieron and 12Moz is ultimately delineated with a 50% risk weighting. While the stock receives pushback on its premium valuation, the average USD EV/oz value for the Australian mid-tier miners is now USD714/oz, following the rally in the gold price, which is a premium to the global peer group. This is typical for Australian gold miners with domestic assets because of low security and operating risk and tailwinds through weak currency (especially those with a major JV partner).