How the Trump administration can support lithium independence
America has become unacceptably reliant on foreign competitors for critical materials and manufacturing processes.
Institutional investors have increased their allocations to alternative classes over the past decade. Globally, some $8 trillion in assets under management are now dedicated to alternative financing, according to a report by McKinsey & Company.
The mining industry, however, remains underpenetrated. Alternative financing comprises about $10-$15 billion in annual mine financing, the consulting firm estimates, representing less than 1% of the global total.
The report suggests there exists potential for the mining sector to raise alternative financing allocations. By diversifying their financial portfolio, miners can better maintain long-term-investment plans, ensure stronger balance sheets, and likely see more consistent returns and valuations, the report suggests.
“Using publicly available data, we estimate that the total alternative financing potential in mining is as much as $800 billion over the next ten years”
McKinsey & Company
The success of specialized alternative investment firms suggests that there are significant benefits for investors, McKinsey notes. For example, the major streamers have experienced 13% annual growth in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) since 2014.
But there is also significant potential benefit for mining companies, McKinsey adds. “Using publicly available data, we estimate that the total alternative financing potential in mining is as much as $800 billion over the next ten years from three prioritized structures,” it says.
The firm brought up a broad range of alternative financing models available to mines:
Of these, three alternative financing options that may be of particular interest were highlighted by the report:
Overall, the three financing options account for approximately 15% of total financing for the mining industry, McKinsey estimates, but this share is likely to rise as covid-19-related risk increases corporate bond spreads, and as many mining companies (especially juniors) seek alternative financing.
Taking an outside-in view, the firm estimates a potential in total alternative financing of up to $800 billion over the next decade, drawing on ten-year anticipated revenues and spending, as well as potential tolls. This is equivalent to approximately 40% of the industry’s estimated capital investment needs over the period.
