Atlas Lithium Corp. (ATLX:NASDAQ) announced a strategic investment and offtake agreement from Mitsui, "which we expect to aid in fast-tracking the development of Atlas' Minas Gerais lithium project in Brazil," reported Alliance Global Partners analyst Jake Sekelsky in an April 2 company update.
"The agreement with Mitsui serves as an additional form of validation for Minas Gerais," Sekelsky wrote.
223% Return Implied
Upon the news, Alliance revised its target price on Atlas to US$55 per share, down from US$75. It did this to reflect dilution incurred from the Mitsui investment, to reflect Alliance's newly decreased discount rate on Atlas given Minas Gervais' lower risk profile, and to reflect Alliance's new, reduced short-term lithium price forecasts.
As for the latter, Sekelsky explained, "While we remain constructive on the longer-term outlook for lithium, we expect near-term volatility to continue due to a combination of oversupply and weaker demand fears."
Despite Alliance's reduced target price on Atlas, the stock still offers investors a significant potential gain of 223%. This is based on the battery metals company's share price at the time of the report of about US$17.02.
Atlas remains a Buy.
"We continue to believe Atlas trades at a discount and believe the company is primed for a rerating in the coming quarters," wrote Sekelsky.
Terms of Mitsui Agreement
With respect to Mitsui's equity investment in Atlas, the US$30M is equal to a 10% premium to Atlas' five-day volume-weighted average price. This amount, purported Sekelsky, should cover the initial capex for phase one at Minas Gervais and cover the advancement of the project to the start of production.
Per the offtake agreement, Mitsui will purchase 15,000 tons per annum (15 Ktpa) of lithium concentrate during phase one of production and 60 Ktpa during phase two at the Neves project, part of the Minas Gervais set of mineral claims, Sekelsky noted. These amounts are only a portion of the production capacity estimated for both phases, about 150,000 tons (150 Kt) in phase one and about 300 Kt in phase two.
"We view leaving uncommitted capacity as a strategic step by management in order to allow for additional flexibility with respect to future strategic agreements," Sekelsky commented.
The analyst highlighted that Atlas is amassing strategic partners while obtaining funding for initial capex needs at Minas Gervais ahead of the initiation of production. Prior to the Mitsui agreement, in Q4/23, Atlas landed a US$50M offtake agreement, including an equity investment, with Chengxin Lithium and Yahua Lithium.
Rest of 2024 Catalyst Rich
Atlas plans to begin production at Minas Gervais sometime later this year.
In the meantime, by the end of April, the processing facility, now 80% done, is expected to be shipped to Brazil.
Also, in Q2/24, the maiden resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment of the project should be completed, with the final permits and construction to start in H2/24.
"We view Atlas as an emerging lithium producer with the ability to scale up production in a staged approach," wrote Sekelsky.
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Disclosures for Alliance Global Partners, Atlas Lithium Corp., April 2, 2024
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All financial information is taken from company disclosures and presentations (including Form 10Q, 10K and 8K filings and other public announcements), unless otherwise noted. Any prices or quotations contained herein are indicative only and are not a commitment by A.G.P. / Alliance Global Partners to trade at any price. If A.G.P. / Alliance Global Partners acts in a principal capacity with respect to the instruments mentioned herein it will be disclosed in the previous section of this report entitled “Disclosures.” In the event that A.G.P. / Alliance Global Partners does act in a principal capacity, the commentary is therefore not independent from the proprietary interests of A.G.P. / Alliance Global Partners, which interests may conflict with your interests. Opinions expressed herein may differ from the opinions expressed by other divisions and/or business units of A.G.P. / Alliance Global Partners. The Firm does not undertake any obligation to update this material. This material is current as of the indicated date and as of the time it was sent to you. This material was prepared from information believed to be reliable, but A.G.P. / Alliance Global Partners makes no representations or warranties as to its accuracy or completeness. This communication and the information contained herein is neither an offer to buy or sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any particular trading strategy. This report should not be used as a complete analysis of the company, industry or security discussed in the report. Additional information is available upon request. Any opinions or estimates in this report are subject to change without notice. An investment in the stock may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Additionally, an investment in the stock may involve a high degree of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. No part of this report may be reproduced without the express written permission of A.G.P. / Alliance Global Partners, member FINRA/SIPC. Copyright 2024.