Interview with Robin Dunbar, President & CEO of Grid Metals Corp.
Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/grid-metals-tsxvgrdm-50-million-plan-to-unlock-high-grade-lithium-mine-4516
Recording date: 30th May 2024
Grid Metals Corp. (TSXV:GRDM) is a compelling investment opportunity in the critical minerals space. The Canadian exploration and development company is advancing two highly prospective battery metal projects in mining-friendly Manitoba.
Grid's flagship asset is the Donner Lake lithium project. Donner Lake hosts a 7 million tonne spodumene resource which is modest in size but boasts strong grade consistency and favorable mineralogy. The real opportunity lies in Donner Lake's proximity to existing infrastructure. Grid is pursuing toll milling agreements with nearby facilities as an alternative to constructing a concentrator on site. This strategy could slash years off the development timeline and save hundreds of millions in capex.
Permitting is a key near-term catalyst for Donner Lake. Grid expects to secure an advanced exploration permit imminently, allowing for development activities. The company is targeting a full mining permit in H1 2025, positioning it to move quickly into production in a recovering lithium price environment.
While Donner Lake is the near-term focus, Grid's MM nickel-copper project offers significant upside. The MM Project has a 47.7Mt resource with 317 million pounds of copper, 263 million pounds of nickel and 452,000 ounces of combined palladium, platinum and gold, with an estimated $4 billion worth of metals in-pit. Grid sees potential to expand the resource to 80-100Mt, which would make it attractive for a major mining company to get involved.
Upcoming catalysts for MM include exploration results from drilling planned for late summer/fall 2024. Grid will also look to bring in a strategic partner to help develop the asset once it reaches critical mass.
The company's projects are located in Manitoba, one of the world's top mining jurisdictions. Manitoba boasts excellent infrastructure, a streamlined permitting process, and a long history of mining. This combination of asset quality and jurisdiction safety is a key competitive advantage for Grid.
Importantly, Grid's assets are a fit for the times. The global transition to clean energy is driving unprecedented demand for critical minerals like lithium, nickel and copper. Localizing supply chains has become a priority for western governments and automakers. Grid aims to be part of the build-out of a North American battery metals supply chain to meet this need.
Grid Metals currently has a market capitalization of just C$15 million. This valuation appears far too low based on the quality of the company's assets, the strength of its management team, and the significant upside potential offered by upcoming catalysts. As the company advances its projects and proves out their potential, there is strong potential for a re-rating of the stock.
In summary, Grid Metals offers investors a unique way to play the critical minerals boom. With two quality assets in a top jurisdiction, a pragmatic development approach, and multiple near-term catalysts, the company is well positioned to create value in the rapidly growing battery metals space. As CEO Robin Dunbar stated, "The industry and market are going to wake up to this." Grid Metals may just be one of the best-kept secrets in the junior mining space, but it likely won't stay that way for long.
View Grid Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/grid-metals-corp
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What is Company Interviews?
An insight into junior mining and opportunities to invest.
Company Interviews, a Crux Investor show, exists to cut through the jargon, bias and bluster.
Matthew Gordon, and guest host Merlin Marr-Johnson hone in on the important factors that indicate a company's strong footing for growth and success.