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FinnCap sees value in beleaguered mining sector

Published: 14:40 02 Sep 2015 BST

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Central Asia Metals is a stock the broker is keen on

The slide in commodity prices in recent months has battered mining stocks, but there are still some worth looking at according to finnCap.

The broker said it has identified “several mining stocks that offer good value with low inherent risks at current commodity prices.”

Kicking off with Gem Diamonds (LON:GEMD), the house broker reckons shareholders could be in for a dividend hike, now that the major construction programmes at its Letšeng and Ghaghoo diamond mines have been completed.

“The company’s mining portfolio is now set to be substantially cash-generative, with a considerable proportion expected to be returned to shareholders by means of a dividend,” finnCap said.

It paid its first dividend in June this year, but the broker believes it will look to raise its current 4.1% yield.

Gem’s shares were 2.27% lower today to 124p.

Sticking with dividends, Central Asia Metals (LON:CAML) currently yields 8.6% and finnCap reckons it is also a good play in the current market.

“Even at current copper prices, this is a highly cash-generative business with surpluses returned as a dividend” it said.

Central Asia plans to ramp up production at its Kounrad leach plant in Kazakhstan from 12,000 tonnes in 2015 to 15,000 next year.

Shares in the copper miner eased 0.3% to 153p today.

Another miner on its books the broker likes is Aureus Mining (LON:AUE), which, like Central Asia, is set to hike up production.

The construction of its New Liberty gold mine in Liberia has now been completed, and the broker suggests that with the gold resources of an usually high grade, the mine will be “highly profitable” despite the slump in the gold price.

The miner is “cashflow imminent” according to finnCap, which argues that the market hasn’t priced in for this, meaning it is undervalued.

Shares dropped 1.2% to 19.5p.

Finally, Firestone Diamonds (LON:FDI) is another underrated stock according to the broker and trading at some 30% less than its risked valuation.

The miner is reconstructing the Liqhobong diamond mine in Lesotho, with first production expected by the end of 2016.

Finncap reckons it “offers an exceptional investment opportunity on a two-year basis.”

Firestone’s shares gained 0.2% to 24.8p today.

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