Mason vs NOUNOU vs LLG November, 2020 update
Data from June 30, 2020 (NOU) and June 30, 2020 (LLG) financial statements and latest corporate presentations.
Nouveau Monde Mason
(Matawinie Project) (Lac Gueret Project)
Proposed graphite production 100,000 tonnes/year 52,000 t/y
Graphite grade 4.3% 28% (first 25 years)
Mining and milling rate 2,300,000 t/y 190,000 t/y
Waste/ore strip ratio 1:1 0.8:1
Capital cost $276 mm $258 mm
Operating cost $499/ tonne C $484/ tonne C
Mine and mill permitted no yes
Market Cap 262 mm so (446 diluted) x $0.65 136 mm (139 diluted) x $0.41
$171 mm $56 mm
Cash - accounts payable-debt $ - 9 mm $25 mm
Enterprise value $180 mm $31 mm
Nice to see that both of these companies are getting some love from the markets lately, but relatively speaking, Mason appears way undervalued considering its higher graphite grade and the more advanced stage of its mining project. Mason’s mine and concentrator in Baie Comeau are fully permitted, detailed engineering is 76% complete and some of the major equipment, including the griding mills, have already been delivered. Note that Mason also has a battery materials development program (the second transformation) that was initiated in 2015, and is now well advanced. What’s more, a takeover/control battle now appears to be looming for Mason, with a dissident group putting forward a new slate of directors for the upcoming AGM on Dec 10. Things could get interesting for Mason very shortly.
The Mookster