Okay the researcher is paid so is not impartial, but Align shows it believes by using its fees to buy shares which it holds. So as paid for researchers go it is more credible than most. It has initiated coverage of Wishbone Gold (WSBN). We see these shares as a buy at up to 0.85p with a 1.3p target to sell. Align is more bullish. It notes, in precis,

Wishbone Gold joined AIM in July 2012 as a gold exploration vehicle. The 2015/16 recession in the resources sector led the management to sensibly mastermind the acquisition of the gold trading business Black Sand in 2016, seeking to grow cash flow/profits via a different gold strategy.

Rapid growth in gold trading using the Marc Rich/Glencore model

Wishbone is financing equipment to dramatically improve gold production for artisanal miners in countries in Central America and Africa: the model is first being implemented in Honduras. In this way, the company can negotiate long term gold off-take contracts with attractive margins as Marc Rich + Co AG pioneered, which was the basis of Glencore.

First mill in production shortly with three more to follow in 2018

Artisanal miners provide 20% of world gold production. In Honduras, Wishbone has a pipeline of 4 projects and is teaming up with its US mining equipment supplier, Scotia International and the Honduran government. Rapid growth is expected by rolling out this strategy in S. America & Africa.

Proven management led by Sirius Minerals' ex-CEO/Chairman

Aligning interest with shareholders, Wishbone management own the majority of the shares. CEO/Chairman Richard Poulden held the same roles at Sirius Minerals where he oversaw its transformation into a substantial potash company, with the share price rising from under 2p to 40p.

DCF analysis suggests upside of over 180%
Investors have enjoyed a near 200% increase in the share price in the last 18 months. Discounting forecast cash flows of the gold trading arm and using a peer comparison of the gold exploration projects gives a target price of 1.97p. With the shares currently trading at 0.70p we see material upside & initiate coverage of Wishbone Gold with a Conviction buy stance.

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