In a Sept. 7 research report, Canaccord Genuity noted Seabridge Gold Inc.'s (SEA:TSX; SA:NYSE.MKT) recently released assays from the Iron Cap zone of KSM in British Columbia "support the discovery hole late last year which intercepted 555m at 0.83 g/t Au and 0.24% Cu and together indicate the presence of another higher grade ore body which could result in the favorable resequencing of the mine plan at KSM," wrote analyst Tony Lesiak.
As for those latest drill results, "all five holes intercepted long intervals of copper gold mineralization with drill-indicated grades 21% and 79% higher than the current KSM reserve average for gold and copper, respectively," indicated Lesiak. "The average drill intercept was 558m at 0.67 g/t Au and 0.37% Cu."
In response to the findings, the analyst suggested, "Iron Cap could move to the front of the mining queue given the higher relative grade profile, proximity to planned access tunnel infrastructure and lower capital intensity. We estimate that by moving the Kerr deposit back in the sequence in favor of Iron Cap, the KSM gold production profile could improve from 1.15–1.25 Moz/year over the first seven years offset by lower copper production."
Consequently, Canaccord raised its target price on Seabridge "from CA$25 to CA$26, based on a 0.9x multiple to CA$28.75/share (from CA$27.47/share), our forward curve derived net asset value, which continues to assume a 70/30 joint venture outcome for KSM," noted Lesiak. "Our model has been adjusted to reflect a larger cave scenario at Iron Cap and resequenced mine profile."
In other news, said Lesiak, the gold and copper company "recently received the schedule 2 amendment for the KSM tailings management facility with an approved environmental impact statement and permits for the first two and a half years of construction in hand."
According to Lesiak, near-term rerating catalysts for Seabridge include:
1) "Additional drill results from Iron Cap"; data on seven holes "are expected in the coming weeks."
2) "Initial drill results (12 holes) from the Quartz Rise target on the Iskut project. . .a new higher-grade epithermal gold discovery at Iskut has the potential to be meaningful."
3) "Completion of the impacts and benefits agreement (IBA) with the local Tahltan Nation (Nisga'a Nation IBA already signed)."
Canaccord has a Speculative Buy rating and CA$26 target price per share on Seabridge. The company is trading today at about CA$15.05 per share.
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