vaalbank to be fastracked, page-89

http://www.thebull.com.au/articles/a/14565-takeover-targets---8-junior-coal-stocks.html




This article has been mention few times on CCC thread if you have quick read you will see how much CCC is undervauled in present context with Mashala and the big botswana elephant

By Mark Story | 04.10.2010

Investors who like the prospect of buying into potential takeover targets might consider a handful of promising junior coal plays. Already, foreign companies - looking to benefit from surging coal prices and sales to China - have triggered $6.7 billion of coal acquisitions this year.

For those who have been following the coal sector, the $1.68/tonne Macarthur Coal (MCC) paid for a non-developed asset was telling. It represents the sort of multiples junior explorers can expect to receive for proving-up quality Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee(JORC)-compliant resources. (Regarded as further along the production probability curve, higher valuations are typically given to JORC resources.)

And as junior coal stocks upgrade their resources, higher multiples are expected to be achieved in line with recent deals such as Adani Enterprises' acquisition of Linc Energy's Galilee basin assets, the Aston resources float, plus the current $2.5 billion takeover bid for Centennial Coal (CEY) by "The Asian Face of Energy", the massive Thai energy company Banpu.

Given some brokers believe that we're close to the bottom of the notable dip seen for the coal industry, there are a handful of junior coal-stocks that are back on the radar. So which ones will be able to capitalise on renewed interest in the sector?

Craig Brown, analyst, Stonebridge Group

Top picks

While Craig Brown believes that Guildford Coal Limited (GUF), Nucoal Resources (NCR) and Stanmore Coal (SMR) offer compelling value on an EV/Resource Basis, he also sees value in the assets that producer Cockatoo Coal Ltd (COK) acquired at low multiples. "The assets of these juniors look 30 to 100 per cent plus undervalued when compared with the acquisitions currently playing out in the market," says Brown.

1. Guildford Coal Ltd (GUF): Brown says that GUF has an outstanding tenement position in excess of 21,000sq km, with multiple basin exposure targeting a range of coals including hard coking, thermal and PCI coal. Since listing in July at 20c, it has jumped 100% to be trading at 40.5c. While GUF doesn't yet have a resource, Brown says that it is sufficiently cashed-up for ongoing exploration. Drilling has already started at the Hughenden project in the Galilee Basin and it looks positive, with the Coal-bearing units approximately 100m shallower than previously anticipated. Having all of its projects within close proximity to rail - giving it potential access to the ports at Townsville, Rockhampton and Gladstone is a distinct commercial advantage. Brown's $0.47 price target is based on 25c/tonne of targeted resource (the company's estimate of what they'll mine). "Guildford has one of the largest tenements in the Galilee basin and we anticipate it will define JORC-compliant Resources over the next 12-24 months, adding significant value," says Brown.

2. Stanmore Coal (SMR): Since its December 2009 IPO Stanmore has successfully proven up a "JORC Inferred" resource at two of its projects, The Range (218mt Thermal) and Mackenzie River (99mt Coking). Stanmore is also targeting an additional 70-80mt at Mackenzie River as well as looking to establish an Initial JORC Inferred Resource on its Emerald project (220mt-290mt Thermal) over the next six months. Following its Mackenzie River announcement early last month, Stanmore's share price jumped from $0.88 to Brown's $1.15 target - based off a 32c/t of JORC Inferred Resource. He expects valuations on an upcoming project to push the price target north of $1.50.

3. Hunnu Coal Ltd (HUN): Operates Mongolia-based thermal and coking projects with 11 rigs in operation and an aggressive exploration program targeting around 650mt and a maiden JORC Resource estimated before year end. Listing at $0.20 in November last year, Hunnu currently trades at a 24 per cent discount to Brown's $1.12 target price, which is based off a 25c/tonne of targeted resource.

4. Nucoal Resources (NCR): Brown believes that as the company moves to a JORC Indicated Resource, it can expect to achieve similar multiples for its asset that is being paid in the market ranging from $0.50-$2.00/t. His price target for Nucoal is $0.27 per share or $0.50/t (it traded at $0.23 at the close of trade on Friday 1st October).

5. Cockatoo Coal (COK): Has successfully bid for numerous coal assets recently from Anglo American for total consideration of $105 million or $0.41/t (236mt), with approximately 40 per cent of the resources at the Measured and Indicated level. Cockatoo has been producing from its Baralaba mine since acquiring it in the December quarter 2008. The stock currently trades at 41 percent discount to broker targets of around $0.90.

Andrew Harrington, analyst, Paterson Securities

Top picks

To ensure the upside survives well beyond some short-lived share price appreciation, Harrington's favoured junior coal stocks include those better positioned in the capital and infrastructure stakes. These bring to light a different set of coal stocks than those favoured by Craig Brown.

1. Coalspur Mines (CPL): CPL is a thermal coal play with a rare combination of assets close to supporting infrastructure at Alberta, Canada. Based on the positive results denoting export quality coal, the explorer recently commenced a drilling program on its Vista South Coal Project. News on Friday of an $80 million capital raising - of which $36 million is a private placement - to buy coal leases to extend its reach in Canada sent the stock soaring 5% to $0.975.

2. Northern Energy Corp (NEC): NEC is a Brisbane-based, pure coal-play with a portfolio of coking and thermal coal projects in Queensland. The small Colton Mine based within the larger Maryborough coking coal project is expected to be the companys first operating mine, with a mid-2011 production target, subject to approvals. Closing at $0.99 on Friday 1st October, it trades at around a 50 per cent discount to Harrington's share price target.

3. Caledon Resources (CCD): This dual-listed Queensland coking coal producer/explorer acquired the mothballed Cook Mine late in 2006, and has since recommissioned the operation with new underground mining methodology. Numerous drilling programs have also been conducted on nearby Minyango exploration concessions it also purchased in 2006. The share price has soared as much as 16 per cent in recent weeks since it announced that it was in preliminary talks with potential suitors.