Topic: How To Invest

Q: Hi Pat: What do you think about Stornoway Diamond now that it’s in production? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Stornoway Diamond Corp., $0.78, symbol SWY on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 825.0 million; Market cap: $646.4 million; www.stornowaydiamonds.com) owns 100% of the Renard diamond mine in north central Quebec. It also has interest in two exploration properties in Nunavut and northern Ontario. The Renard operation is Quebec’s first diamond mine, and the provincial government owns 29% of Stornoway. Production at the mine started on January 1, 2017—six months ahead of schedule. The original budget to develop the site was $811 million, but final costs were $774 million. The mine’s processing plant is fueled by liquefied natural gas, the first Canadian mine to do so. In the first 10 years of Renard’s 14-year mine life, Stornoway expects to produce 1.8 million carats of diamonds each year. That represents 1.5% to 2.0% of annual global diamond production. The company estimates the mine will produce total revenues of $4.6 billion over 14 years. It forecasts after-tax profits of roughly $974 million over the same period. The Aviat…