Nevada Copper, Aurubis, Nordex - Fueling the energy transition!

Nevada Copper - When will the revaluation start?

Nevada Copper is predestined to profit from increases in the copper price. The Company owns one of the few production-ready copper mines in the US. Positive operating progress was reported at the Pumpkin Hollow project earlier this month. According to the report, monthly production increased to a new record high. In addition, the Canadians confirmed the previously formulated plans to achieve processing of up to 5,000t per day from Q3 of the current year.

With this confirmation to be fully on track, the Company could slowly regain lost confidence. Several project delays had unsettled the market. On the management and capital side, however, there have also been positive changes with the arrival of CEO Randy Buffington and the acquisition of new major shareholders.

Currently, the Company is valued at just under CAD 300 million, with share prices around CAD 0.60. Three years ago, the shares still cost CAD 4. Given the favorable general conditions, the opportunities currently clearly outweigh the risks. It seems only a matter of time before the stock's re-rating begins.

In total, the Pumpkin Hollow property has a size of 60 sq km. In addition to the ramp-up of the Pumpkin Hollow underground mine, the fully-permitted open pit mine will also contribute to future success.

Aurubis - Entry into the growth field of battery recycling

In order to satisfy the increasing copper demand, more must undoubtedly be produced. But recycling will also become more important. Here Aurubis, as a leading global supplier of non-ferrous metals and one of the world's largest copper recyclers, is in an excellent position. The Company processes complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, organic and inorganic metal-bearing recycling materials and industrial residues into metals of the highest quality. Aurubis produces more than 1 million t of copper cathodes annually and uses them to manufacture various copper or copper alloy products.

Recently, the Group announced its entry into the growth field of battery recycling. The first step will be the construction of a pilot plant at the Hamburg site. Industrial production is to start in five years at the latest. Aurubis expects a capital expenditure of about EUR 200 million. Metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite are extracted from the black mass, a powdery residue produced during the dismantling and shredding of lithium-ion batteries, through a hydrometallurgical process.

"Battery recycling is becoming much more important due to the expansion of e-mobility and the rapidly increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries and raw materials for their production," emphasized Roland Harings, CEO of the Group. The Company leader continued: "The responsible use of resources and the goal of closing the cycle of valuable metals for electromobility are important factors in our investment decision. Furthermore, recycling is a central, strategic growth driver for Aurubis. We want to play a leading role in battery recycling."

Nordex - Everything is okay in the medium term

Most recently, industry associations in the energy sector have welcomed the plans of German Economics and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck for a massive expansion of green energies. However, many experts say the targets do not go far enough. They also say that statutory approval procedures and subsidies and regulations on feed-in tariffs are counterproductive in some cases.

Wind energy plays the biggest role in Germany today. In the long term, Nordex, as one of the leading integrated, globally positioned manufacturers of onshore wind turbines, should also benefit from the expansion of renewable energies. At present, however, increased raw material prices and supply chain problems are weighing on the bottom line, which will lead to red figures in the current year and the previous year. Most recently, the North Germans confirmed their medium-term targets with an EBITDA margin of 8%, to which the share reacted positively.

Copper is a key raw material for a successful energy transition. The beneficiaries are undeniably copper producers. Nevada Copper is additionally tempting with an attractive company valuation. Recycling is also a promising field of activity, and Aurubis is a good choice here. The Group will benefit from its entry into battery recycling in the future. Once the current challenges have been overcome, Nordex will soon be back in the black as demand increases.