Lepidico: Developing a leading and unique position in lithium

Metals & Mining

Lepidico: Developing a leading and unique position in lithium

With Edison client and integrated lithium producer/refiner Lepidico pressing ahead with plans for its Phase 1 Plant and, in sharp contrast to other metals, the price of lithium chemicals continuing to hover close to record highs, Lord Ashbourne has updated his analysis of the business.

With Edison client and integrated lithium producer/refiner Lepidico pressing ahead with plans for its Phase 1 Plant and, in sharp contrast to other metals, the price of lithium chemicals continuing to hover close to record highs, Lord Ashbourne has updated his analysis of the business.

Here are the main points every investor needs to know about his research. If you would like to learn more, read Lord Ashbourne’s full report ‘Coming in sight of the Rubicon’.

#1 At the forefront of the new wave
Despite obvious signs of increasing demand from EVs, almost no new lithium projects were announced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now poised for a final investment decision to be taken, Lepidico’s Phase 1 project is, therefore, at the forefront of the current cycle.

#2 Developing a unique position
Lepidico has also been refining its development strategy for a full-scale Phase 2 Plant. Instead of being a fully integrated, owner-operated project, it is now being thought of as a centralised processing facility, taking and refining concentrate from third-party mines as well. According to Lord Ashbourne, this puts Lepidico, ‘in a unique position to develop a global market for lithium mica concentrate outside China.’

#3 Valuation continues to tick up
Despite expecting the Phase 1 project to take an extra six months than originally forecast, Edison Group has increased its valuation of Lepidico to 6.66 Australian cents per share. This increases up to 8.21 cents when including a risk-adjusted Phase 2 project.

#4 More value may yet be generated
Whilst not included in the valuation, Lord Ashbourne notes that Lepdico has growth ambitions which may be satisfied in a variety of ways. Significant exploration success at the current site in Namibia or the acquisition of another in-ground asset could result in a vertically integrated Phase 3 project. Alternatively – or in addition – Lepidico may decide to earn further revenue from the licensing of its patent-protected technologies.

For more on Lepidico, read Edison Group’s full collection of analysis, which can be found on the company’s profile page.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Edison offers investor relations, consulting and research publication services to paying clients. In accordance with Section 17(b) of the US Securities Act of 1933, please note the following important disclosures relating to Edison and its client relationship with Lepidico (the “Company”).

Edison is engaged by the Company on a paid basis for investor relations services and this communication relates to those services. In connection with its investor relations engagement by the Company, Edison’s standard fees are $20,000 per month. Additional compensation may have accrued since the publication of this notice.

In addition, Edison is engaged by the Company to separately provide investment research coverage of its stock. In connection with its investment research coverage, Edison’s standard fees are £60,000 pa. Additional compensation may have accrued since the publication of this notice. No compensation relating to Edison’s investment research coverage is in any way contingent upon any positive opinions or conclusions in its research reports.

Edison’s investor relations services are independent of its research services, although Edison’s investor relations activities may utilize published Edison research as a source, among others, in connection with its activities. Edison’s investor relations and investment research personnel regularly, but separately, interact with the Company. All source materials relating to any investor relations materials of Edison should be considered to be directly attributable to information provided to Edison by the Company or the third-party sources noted in the communication. While third-party information used in the publication of Edison’s communications is typically compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be accurate, complete and reliable, Edison does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information contained therein, and typically does not independently verify such information.

NOTE THAT ALL INVESTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO INHERENT RISK AND ANY INVESTMENT IN THE COMPANY IS SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT RISKS THAT SHOULD BE ASSESSED BY ANY INVESTOR AND THEIR ADVISORS. PLEASE CLOSELY REVIEW THE COMPANY’S AVAILABLE PUBLIC DISCLOSURES, INCLUDING RISK FACTORS FOR SPECIFIC CONSIDERATION, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE COMPANY’S INVESTOR RELATIONS WEBSITE, LINKED ABOVE.

This communication may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause a company’s actual results and financial condition to differ from expectations include, without limitation: political uncertainty, changes in general economic conditions that adversely affect the level of demand for the company’s products or services, changes in international and domestic financial markets and in the competitive environment, and other factors relating to the foregoing. All forward-looking statements relating to this communication are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Edison is neither a FINRA-registered broker-dealer nor an SEC-registered investment adviser and does not provide any investment advisory or banking services. Edison’s investment research reports are bona fide publications of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and its research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in any Edison communication constitutes a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison’s policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

If you would like to receive more content on Lepidico, please complete the form below.

Latest

insight

March insight: Monetary risks ease

insight

Inside the mind of investors

insight

Compressed matters #1

insight

The Illuminator – March 2024

insight

February insight: Goldilocks returns?

Healthcare

August 2022 edition of Edison Healthcare Insight

Continue Reading
edison healthcare insight

Subscribe to Edison

Get access to the very latest content matched to your personal investment style.

Sign up for free