ZINNWALD - the investment case27 Aug 2021 12:32
Below my thoughts on the Zinnwald investment case.
-Stock trades at mere 16% NPV (assuming $16k hydroxide). This is CHEAP in itself - how about when you start pricing in Lithium at $20k?
16% is c HALF what Vulcan trades on - a company for which geothermal technology isn’t proven as yet and for which there is a mammoth >$2bn initial capex program. Also note Zinnwald is an advanced DFS stage vs Vulcan at PFS.
-16% valuation is far from pricing in ANY M&A optionality. For comparison purpose, M&A transaction have been carried out at 4x that multiple.
-This multiple DOESN’T event account for a v substantial 50% increase in group wide Li resource from recent granting of nearby exploration license - effectively valuing it at ZERO. Of course, ZNWD’s zinc and gold assets are also valued at zero in shares and in valuation described above.
-Look at Uranium sector - quality assets there trade at 80% NPV and that’s on a uranium price 50% higher than spot. You get the idea of how low such multiple is…
-Shareholding structure about to improve considerably with high profile investors entering and DILUTION-FREE. Ganfeng will have 10%, while prominent funds in BCN will too take be joining as well as Daiwa.
-Ganfeng moving to 10% is likely politically motivated. EU unlikely to want a Chinese company controlling a lithium resource in heart of Europe.
This opens to possibility of transaction with Geomet (51% owned by Cez/49% by EMH) and even another party (eg VW?).
Recall Cez has previously talked of synergies between the projects, and in my view there are plenty. German President just visited Czech R, and discussed green revolution and transport infrastructure. Could they have discussed consolidating the assets?
-Key catalysts: 1) Opening up to new shareholders this year from BCN transaction => retail led discount to disappear. 2) Gigafactory consortium to be formed this year with Cez in Czech R, opening way to offtake for Geomet/EMH, ZNWD’s next door neighbour. 3) Lithium p expected to soar later this year on market tightness - big leverage to this. 4) Any JV agreement/sale of zinc and gold assets currently valued at zero in shares.
Conclusion: ZNWD is the cheapest Li play on Europe given its advanced stage and M&A prospectivity. What’s held its valuation back is that it’s been under the radar and retail held. This is about to change with the arrival of big funds and industrials in the shareholding register. It will also benefit from catalysts at Geomet, being its next door neighbour.
It offers great leverage on rising Li prices. BUY