Proactive Investors - Teck Resources (TSX:TECKa) has turned down yet another takeover offer from Glencore (LON:GLEN) and urged shareholders to vote for its separation plan in a letter to investors on Wednesday.
Teck wrote in the letter that Glencore’s latest presentation and open letter included no changes from its previous offer, which the company has reviewed and rejected.
“Nothing has changed – same low value, same flawed structure, same material execution risks,” Teck wrote.
“This is a distraction – a transparent and opportunistic attempt to disrupt our separation plan with an ill-defined and highly uncertain proposal.”
Teck shareholders are due to vote on its proposal to spin out its metals and coal divisions into separate entities on April 26.
Noting the upcoming shareholder vote, analysts at Stifel GMP highlighted the re-rating potential for Teck Metals as it evolves into a company more similar to its larger and more highly valued copper-focused peers, but distinguishable from them by its multi-year and enviable copper production growth profile, aptly timed to benefit from the global push for decarbonization.
The analysts have a ‘Buy’ rating on the stock with a price target of C$66. Teck shares were trading at C$64.61 on Wednesday afternoon.
The analysts added that they looked forward to an update from Teck on the ramp-up of its flagship asset Quebrada Blanca when the company releases its first quarter 2023 earnings on April 26.
They wrote that with the previously disclosed first copper concentrate production at Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 (QB2) on March 30 and anticipated 2023 ramp-up, Teck is poised to double its copper production in 2024.
“Given QB2's reserves only account for 18% of the project's resources, the QB Mill Expansion (QBME), which we estimate to commence production in 2027 (Teck guided to 2026) could position Quebrada Blanca amongst the largest copper mines globally, with another expansion contemplated that could further solidify its global ranking,” they wrote.
“As we look forward to the QBME feasibility study, due 2H, 2023, we have assumed copper production of 285,000 tones (post-QB2 ramp-up) and 385,000 tones (post-QBME) in 2024 and 2027, respectively.”