In a July 6 research note, analyst Timothy Lee reported that Red Cloud Securities has initiated coverage on Phenom Resources Corp. (PHNM:TSX.V; PHNMF:OTCQX; 1PY:FSE), a gold-vanadium explorer, with a Buy rating and a CA$1 per share target price. The stock’s current share price is about CA$0.74.
“Essentially, investors are getting a two-for-one special: a vanadium developer plus a gold explorer,” Lee wrote, noting that the market has accounted for only the vanadium, not the gold and not Phenom’s non-core assets.
Although Phenom has properties in Nevada (Carlin and AVP) and Arizona (West Jerome copper project), it is currently concentrating on advancing its Carlin project in Nevada’s Carlin Trend, which is surrounded by deposits and mines, Lee indicated. Phenom’s Carlin property boasts unique geography in the world-class, mining friendly jurisdiction of Nevada, both advantages to the company.
According to Lee, Phenom’s land package hosts “two very different metals, one compelling project.” The property contains the largest and highest-grade primary vanadium resource in North America, 378 million pounds at 0.59% V2O5, Indicated and Inferred. The deposit is approximately 35 meters (35m) thick, 1,800m long and 600m wide. Because it sits within 60m of the surface, open pit mining is viable.
Additionally, below the vanadium resource is gold with characteristics found with Carlin-type mineralization; initial drilling showed brecciation, alteration and trace elements associated with Carlin-type deposits. Phenom is now focused on drill-testing the highly prospective gold target identified on an induced polarization survey and outside the scope of initial drilling. Lee relayed that management believes the anomaly could represent a root system that is 1.2 kilometers (1.2km) long, up to 750m wide and more than 500m deep, and remains open to the north and south.
“With exposure to two completely different metals, we believe Phenom Resources is uniquely positioned to attract investors longing to ride the wave of a growing vanadium market, along with those seeking a potential new gold discovery,” Lee wrote.
Lee showed how an increase in the vanadium price would impact the Carlin project. The base case outlined in the 2020 preliminary economic assessment, which used a V2O5 price of US$10.65 per pound, showed an after-tax net present value discounted at 6% (NPV6%) of US$29 million and an after-tax internal rate of return of 7%. A 30% increase in the V2O5, to US$13.85 per pound, boosted the after-tax NPV6% to US$316 million and the after-tax IRR to 15.85%.
“Because Carlin’s vanadium resource backstops Phenom’s valuation, we expect its share price to somewhat resemble that of a call option,” Lee wrote.
Also in Phenom’s favor is the company’s “top-notch team with a proven track record for discovery,” Lee wrote. Renowned geologist and Carlin Trend expert Dave Mathewson is heading Phenom’s exploration work. He has discovered about 5 million-plus ounces of gold within 10km of Phenom’s Carlin project. Phenom’s CEO, Paul Crowley, is also an experienced geologist who has worked in the industry for 41 years.
Catalysts on the horizon for Phenom encompass all three of its projects, Lee noted. For one, additional geophysical survey results are imminent. Also expected before year-end are results of Carlin gold target drilling, AVP drilling and West Jerome gravity surveying.
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