Strategic Review28 Apr 2024 13:42
The much maligned Strategic Review will, in my opinion, be concluded within the next 25 trading days.
Its purpose was to evaluate and pursue value enhancing opportunities for the company.
1. A spin out of assets other than the Cascabel project.
It's my belief that all assets with the exception of Cascabel and Blanca Nieves will be deemed as non core, and will either be sold off or have earn in agreements relinquishing overall ownership. There are various things that make an announcement on this exciting. Firstly, it's my understanding that that Porvenir would not be available to potential suitors on it's own. All non core assets would only be available as a block. As the Ecuadorian government is set to withdraw concessions that are unused it makes perfect sense for SOLG to either offload them or arrange JV's to finance them. Furthermore, with the mining cadastre being closed since 2018, the only way for companies wishing to enter and mine in Ecuador is to arrange a deal with companies like SOLG who have already been granted the concessions.
2. The direct or indirect acquisition of an interest in the Cascabel project.
Following the revised PFS I believe there has been substantial interest from multiple entities in taking an interest in Cascabel. It remains to be seen whether these are further offtake agreements, earn in agreements or an outright sale of the asset. Personally I don't think they'll be offtakes and if it becomes a gold play I think Barrick are most likely but if it comes down to copper, with a high level Chinese delegation recently meeting with the Ecuadorian government, all things lead to China.
SOLG need $60m to fully derisk Cascabel,less than $40m if they sell the Cornerstone shares at a premium. The exciting thing here is copper gold and silver is only going up, every milestone in derisking Cascabel adds more value, and I firmly believe SOLGs financial future will be very much secured within the next 25 trading days. In securing that finance I'm pretty sure that will include a major announcement regarding Cascabel.
Traders can take their 10% but for me this is a 400, 500, 1000% opportunity over the coming months.