The latest Investing Matters Podcast with Jean Roche, Co-Manager of Schroder UK Mid Cap Investment Trust has just been released. Listen here.
The company has been expanding its operations as fast as it can - it's not like other promising the world and not actually doing anything. With each expansion will be a lag between capacity and total production. Waiting with patience, the Graphite industry looks to reach deficit in the next few months, TGR as a current producer with lessons learnt to date continues to look v well placed imo
Indeed Swest, I’d only go for 70p+ at absolute minimum given where we currently are. If ALL still exists in its current form in 12 months then, with further resource expansion and move towards production I’d at least double that. And I’m being conservative imo tbh. DYOR.
Fair way to go but things looking good and Spodumene price remains stable despite global wobbles.
Very interesting to see TGR shifting its message from the primary supply to the possible downstream processing industry required in the UK to possibly service UK and European markets, alongside securing supply for the Green Revolution alongside the UK's Critical Minerals Strategy published last month.
https://twitter.com/Tirupatiuk/status/1560540603665920000?s=20&t=Ht_kr295Dq6zdJ-7SYCu0Q
We know TGR is now moving focus onto the next possible areas of serious value addition now that it is approaching the huge milestone of 30,000tpa production capacity in Madagascar in the next month which will provide significant profit imo at solid margins from its 1 quarter ramp up if the sales pipeline is sorted and given the savings from the recent pre-concentrate innovations, fuel requirement reductions, renewable hydropower coming online, and the in-house developed CFS system. The next area referred to is of course downstream processing of flake graphite into high purified 'uncoated' spherical Graphite (SPG) and/or thermal management/flame control products which are not produced at all in the UK. This 'uncoated' spherical graphite may be sold onto next stage processors who would 'coat' the spherical graphite (CSPG) which would then be sold onto anode producers. There is a long lead time for product qualification for end-users of these products such as automotive companies for EVs so the sooner this process starts the better.
Whatever form TGR proceeds with in the UK and/or India will be interesting given the TSG situation but also because TGR's move to hire an executive director with a finance and project development skillset suggests it will not hang around for TSG and will move things along on its own in the UK if it has to. Downstream processing in the UK would be complementary for the Mozambique assets which have ideal flake graphite type (finer flake proportions) and which these projects could supply directly and build a fully traceable and auditable supply chain from mine to anode precursor material. This whole ecosystem will bring more high skill research & science, manufacturing and supply chain jobs to the UK. Indeed, Shishir also tweeted today on the need for the UK to establish such a downstream processing industry:
https://twitter.com/ShishirPoddar/status/1560559133912227840?s=20&t=Ht_kr295Dq6zdJ-7SYCu0Q
Good weekend all. GLA.
New interview today following announcement:
https://twitter.com/proactive_UK/status/1559181630388015104?s=20&t=yKhqj5pfc6FvtMqSXca36g
Mentions the hydroplant is in commissioning, and highlights the cost savings from the reduced fuel consumption because of the innovations from today's announcement, as well as the benefit for reduced emissions. Also touches on the way the company has reduced its frequent comms and is instead producing more detailed an significant updates as it goes, like the one today. The evolution of TGR from minnow to global Graphite major continues, and I look forward to hearing more developments from all parts of the business.
GLA
Also great to put to bed concerns over roads that some were very keen to highlight. Great work TGR!
Madagascar looks set to develop very nicely as the Graphite market enters deficit of supply. Just where else can you find an ex-China producer at 30,000tpa, with an operational track record, fully aligned board, cheap capex for expansions possibly funded by future profits down the line and with a huge pipeline of future project development in Madagascar, India, Mozambique and likely the UK? Certainly absolutely nowhere else on UK public markets!
GLA
Lovely jubbly, the work of the company is beginning to speak for itself with these innovations. The effects on opex savings could be huge because of the massive reductions in fuel requirements from the innovations on the ground (which some people seemed to want to deny?).
Wonder if there is the further potential therefore to reduce costs per ton of production and improve margins further?
Seriously impressive they think they can ramp up the new 18,000tpa module in just one quarter to result in an 80% minimum production of the 30,000tpa nameplate capacity over 2023. Could be serious margins at that level, and I expect, a decent profit for the company if sales growth matches the exponential production rise imo.
GLA
While i'm here, see new interview just posted today, link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_L8VmP8JBw
It's great that TGR has manoeuvred itself well despite the challenges to be on course to become one of the largest and a globally significant ex-China Graphite producer at 30,000tpa aimed for this September with a great funding arrangement bridging us to profitability in my opinion and us also making noises in Mozambique, India and what sounds like the UK in the near future.
The confidence seems reflected in TGR's tweeting this morning, as well as Shishir's:
https://twitter.com/Tirupatiuk/status/1557615798926991360?s=20&t=_gWiuUm-kt03Y0FYY3xG8w
https://twitter.com/ShishirPoddar/status/1557618786244902912?s=20&t=_gWiuUm-kt03Y0FYY3xG8w
Looking forward to the next updates as the company nears the completion of its largest foundation block to date.
GLA
Great article, there are so many parallels with which to take an idea from for how AET could develop over time - be it KIST/SQZ/RRE.
As ec-Tullow execs though why not also look at Tullow's journey itself:
https://www.tullowoil.com/about-us/our-story/
In the presentation the CEO spoke of his experiences beforehand in companies which "had gone a long way" and for which he sees AET doing the same - this £200k buy is no surprise imo and supports his view putting his money where his mouth is
There are also people who are only just learning about this opportunity today who will take their time to understand what the company has achieved with its first 2 deals.
IMC presentation at 10am:
https://www.investormeetcompany.com/investor/company/afentra-plc
GLA