Mining Co. to Save Money With Switch to Hydro Power

With a recent agreement for greener electricity, this company has abandoned its previous plan to use diesel-generated power for its mining project, noted a Red Cloud Securities report.

Seabridge Gold Inc. (SEA:TSX; SA:NYSE.MKT) engaged a company to provide grid-based hydro power for construction of its KSM project, and given the estimated savings to result from this change, Red Cloud Securities increased its target price on the company to CA$42.80 per share from CA$40.65. In comparison, Seabridge is trading at around CA$23 per share.

“We view this news very positively as previous studies had incorporated the use of much higher-cost diesel power for construction activities, with grid connection only anticipated later for operations,” Talbot commented.

The analyst discussed the perceived benefits of Seabridge’s shift to grid-based hydro power, to be provided by BC Hydro, from diesel generated power.

Development capex and share dilution are expected to be lower. Red Cloud estimates development capex will drop by about US$100 million (US$100M) per year in both 2024 and 2025. This equates to a roughly 75% cost savings. Previous estimates for diesel power generation and construction indirect capital costs, including infrastructure for distribution and fuel operating costs, were US$449M.

Hydro power also should decrease KSM opex, Talbot indicated. However, because Seabridge already estimated the cost of grid power (CA$0.062 per kilowatt hour), the switch will mostly affect capex.

Talbot highlighted that hydro power is more environment friendly than diesel generated power and thus, will produce less greenhouse emissions. It also will help ensure the environmental assessment certificate for KSM remains in place for the life of the project.

Pursuant to Seabridge’s agreement with Hydro Power, in 2023 a 30-kilometer-long transmission line will be built and the existing switching station upgraded, Talbot relayed. These will cost Seabridge CA$28.9M, along with CA$54.2M in security to make the power available. The company will recoup the security over a maximum of eight years, the time period depending on how much power it consumes.

Seabridge recently entered into a financing agreement for US$225M, expected to close around March 15, 2022, noted Talbot. This funding should cover power line construction and subsequent payments to BC Hydro.

With Seabridge’s financing and hydro power agreements, wrote Talbot, “KSM is moving towards the designation of ‘substantially started’ while derisking it towards a joint venture arrangement, financing and production decision.”

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