Emmerson

Development of a low capex, high margin potash project in an outstanding location to provide fertiliser to help feed the world

CONVICTION BUY - Price target 12.05p

 

Key data

Share price

2.92p

52 week high/low

3.7p/2p

Exchange

LSE

EPIC

EML

Shares in issue

626.13m

Market Cap

£18.3m

Sector

Mining

IMPORTANT: Emmerson is a research client of Align Research. For full disclaimer information please refer to the last page of the full document.

Emmerson  is developing the Khemisset Potash Project near Rabat in northern Morocco, a country where fertiliser giant OCP requires significant potash feedstock. Khemisset has a large JORC resource of Muriate of Potash (MOP), which is the most widely used and cheapest source of potassium.

- Big agriculture investment drivers pushing up the MOP price

The UN believes that the world will need to produce 70% more food by 2050, not just to meet the needs of its fast-growing population but also for a burgeoning middle class that is seeking a higher protein diet. Fertilisers led by MOP are seen to be vital in improving the efficiency of farming.

- Large JORC resource potash project + significant exploration potential

Progress at Khemisset is being accelerated with Scoping Study results expected in Q1 2019. More than 80,000m of historic drilling exists allowing feasibility study costs and timelines to be substantially reduced. Metallurgical tests could allow the project to go straight into the BFS following the upcoming Scoping Study, with production beginning as early as 2022.

- Management targeting a low capex development – rare in potash

Management has extensive potash development experience, previously with ASX listed Highfield Resources, and believes Khemisset has the potential to be a low capital cost development which is very rare in potash and should allow the economics to work regardless of potash price.

- Risked conservative NPV suggests potential upside of 313%

Our conservative valuation illustrates the clear potential. We initiate coverage of Emmerson with a target price of 12.05p and Conviction buy stance.

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Table: Financil Overviev

Year to Dec

2017A*

2017A**

2018E

2019E

Revenue (£'000)

-

-

-

-

Pre-tax (£'000)

(200)

(207)

(2,000)

(2,400)

EPS (p)

(1.21)

(0.43)

(0.53)

(0.38

Source: Company accounts & Align Research
*13 months to Mar 2017.** 9 months to Dec 2017