IC Potash Corp. (
TSX: T.ICP,
Stock Forum) recently took a big step towards its goal of become a leading low cost producer of potassium sulphate by securing a US$10 million injection from Cartesian Capital Group, a $2 billion New York fund with investments in a variety of sectors.
The strategic investment – Cartesian is acquiring 500,000 Class A preferred shares in IC Potash ‘s Intercontinental Potash Corp. mining unit – allows IC Potash to complete vital engineering studies that will set the stage for the junior to begin the process of financing its flagship Ochoa Project in New Mexico.
Ochoa is a greenfield project that is expected to produce 714,400 tons per year of the fertilizer product known as Sulphate of Potash (SOP).
SOP is the second major form of potash, with a chemical formula of K2SO4 and a reputation for being particularly effective in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, potatoes, tobacco and tree nuts.
ICP wants to become a primary producer of high quality (SOP) by mining and processing polyhalite from its property to supply regional and international markets.
A NI 43-101 compliant technical report concluded that the Ochoa property contains significant polyhalite mineralization in quantities and grade that are expected to be attractive for mining and processing under current market conditions.
ICP already has a committed off-take agreement with Yara International, a Norwegian conglomerate, which will buy 30% of the annual production from Ochoa. The term of the agreement is 15 years, with a provision for an automatic extension every five years thereafter.
However, as the estimated cap ex for the Ochoa Project is pegged at just over $1 billion, the company will soon be focusing heavily on securing the funds that are needed to put the project into production.
It is why the strategic investment by Cartesian is being viewed in investment circles as a significant step forward.
“The investment gives ICP breathing room to seek additional strategic/distribution partners to fund detailed engineering in advance of bank debt,’’ said Paradigm Capital analyst David Davidson in a report.
John Chu, the Managing Director of AltaCorp. Capital takes a similar view.
“According to their website, Cartesian typically invests between $25 and $125 million in each investment, which could imply that after this $10 million investment, they could be returning at a future date to increase their commitment, particularly with the right to a one-third participation in any future equity raises,” Chu said in a report.
Chu noted that the company is now focused on the need to complete a Class 2 EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) study, a process that could take up to 10 months to complete.
“The completion of the Class 2 study should establish cost certainties which then opens the door for the company to secure financing (i.e. debt) for the $1.1 billion capex required to complete the project,’’ Chu said in his report.
“At that time, we should see the company move to secure $700 million in debt with a syndicate led by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, their previously announced financial partner and advisor,’’ Chu said. The remaining necessary funds would be raised as equity and should be done simultaneously.
Prior to the $10 million investment by Cartesian Capital, the company had about $3.4 million in cash, and is operating on a burn rate of $500,000 per month.
While noting that little has changed with regard to the outlook for the project, Chu has upgraded his rating on ICP to “Outperform.’’
The company has concluded an independent feasibility study that recommends the company move forward to development at the Ochoa Project. It has also received a record of decision from the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that authorizes construction and operation of the mine and mill.
On November 1, 2014 ICP was granted preference right leases by the BLM. These leases, in conjunction with those granted by the State of New Mexico, provide ICP with all potassium mining leases for the 50-year Ochoa mine plan approved by the BLM in the record of decision.
The company has said product will be shipped from the mine, by rail, to a port on the Gulf Coast, for shipment overseas, or by rail or truck to the North American market.
Meanwhile, under the terms of Cartesian’s investment, the private equity firm is purchasing the 500,000 Intercontinental Potash Corp. preferred shares for US$10 million. The preferred shares accrue value through deferred dividends at an annual rate of 12% for two years.
At the end of the two-year period, the preferred shares may be converted into a 7.8% stake in ICP, or 13.5 million shares with an USD/CAD exchange rate implies a value of $0.75 or $0.80 a share.
IC Potash is trading at 23.5 cents, leaving a market cap of $40.6 million, based on 172.8 million shares outstanding. The 52-week range is 36.5 cents and 20.5 cents.
The private equity firm retains the right to a 33% participation in future equity financings by ICP, and Cartesian founder and Managing Partner Peter Yu will take a seat on the IC Potash board.
FULL DISCLOSURE: IC Potash is a client of Stockhouse Publishing.