Lassonde Curve
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 3:32 pm
Hi All,
Been in since 2020, and survived the post 2020 blues. Have been adding to my position from 6p recently.
As the situation appears to be picking up I have done some research and came across the Lassonde curve. Common sense, may point to the beginning of the second curve. I asked Grok to explain where GGP was on the chart. It came back with this :
The Lassonde Curve is a conceptual model that illustrates the typical lifecycle of a mining company's value, from exploration through development to production. It was developed by Pierre Lassonde to show how a company's market valuation tends to fluctuate based on its stage in the mining process. The curve generally includes the following phases:
Exploration (Concept Phase): Value rises with early discoveries and excitement about potential.
Pre-Feasibility/Feasibility (Development Phase): Value peaks as resources are defined and economic viability is assessed, but it may dip due to uncertainty or funding needs.
Construction Phase: Value often declines (the "valley of death") as capital expenditures rise and production is not yet generating cash flow.
Production Phase: Value increases again as the mine begins generating revenue and profits.
To determine where Greatland Gold (LSE:GGP) sits on the Lassonde Curve as of March 21, 2025, we need to assess its current operational status based on available information.
Greatland Gold operates the Telfer gold-copper mine in Western Australia, which it fully acquired from Newmont on December 4, 2024. Telfer is already in production, with Greatland reporting 33,882 ounces of gold equivalent produced in the 27 days from acquisition to December 31, 2024. This indicates that Telfer is firmly in the Production Phase, where the company is generating revenue from an operational mine. On the Lassonde Curve, this would place Telfer on the upward slope following the construction phase, as cash flow begins to stabilize and grow.
Simultaneously, Greatland is advancing the Havieron gold-copper project, also in the Paterson Province of Western Australia. Havieron is a world-class deposit discovered by Greatland in 2018, and as of mid-2023, it was described as being about two years into a three-year construction program, with production targeted for 2024. By March 21, 2025, assuming no significant delays, Havieron is likely nearing completion of construction or transitioning into early production. If construction is complete and production has begun, Havieron would also be entering the Production Phase. However, if it is still in the final stages of construction, it would be in the Construction Phase, near the bottom of the "valley of death," just before the value begins to rise with revenue generation.
Given Greatland's dual focus:
Telfer is clearly in the Production Phase, contributing immediate cash flow and placing this segment of the company on the upward trajectory of the Lassonde Curve.
Havieron is likely transitioning from the Construction Phase to the Production Phase, depending on its exact status as of March 2025. Without precise updates beyond late 2024, it’s reasonable to infer that it’s either at the cusp of production (late Construction Phase) or just beginning to produce (early Production Phase).
Since Greatland Gold’s valuation reflects both assets, the company as a whole is likely positioned near the transition from the Construction Phase to the Production Phase on the Lassonde Curve. Telfer’s production provides a stable base, while Havieron’s imminent or early production suggests the company is emerging from the "valley of death" and moving toward sustained value growth. This mixed status aligns with a period where investor interest typically begins to rise again as operational risks decrease and revenue potential becomes more tangible.
For a precise placement, Havieron’s exact production status as of today would be critical. If it’s fully operational, Greatland is more firmly in the Production Phase; if not, it’s still climbing out of the Construction Phase dip. Based on the trajectory and recent milestones (e.g., Telfer’s output and Havieron’s advanced development), Greatland Gold is most likely ascending the Production Phase slope of the Lassonde Curve as of March 21, 2025.
Yes, it's AI, and Yes it would need to be fed more data in. I just wanted other people to have a human think and their thoughts on where we are in the chart?
Thanks All,
Element79
Been in since 2020, and survived the post 2020 blues. Have been adding to my position from 6p recently.
As the situation appears to be picking up I have done some research and came across the Lassonde curve. Common sense, may point to the beginning of the second curve. I asked Grok to explain where GGP was on the chart. It came back with this :
The Lassonde Curve is a conceptual model that illustrates the typical lifecycle of a mining company's value, from exploration through development to production. It was developed by Pierre Lassonde to show how a company's market valuation tends to fluctuate based on its stage in the mining process. The curve generally includes the following phases:
Exploration (Concept Phase): Value rises with early discoveries and excitement about potential.
Pre-Feasibility/Feasibility (Development Phase): Value peaks as resources are defined and economic viability is assessed, but it may dip due to uncertainty or funding needs.
Construction Phase: Value often declines (the "valley of death") as capital expenditures rise and production is not yet generating cash flow.
Production Phase: Value increases again as the mine begins generating revenue and profits.
To determine where Greatland Gold (LSE:GGP) sits on the Lassonde Curve as of March 21, 2025, we need to assess its current operational status based on available information.
Greatland Gold operates the Telfer gold-copper mine in Western Australia, which it fully acquired from Newmont on December 4, 2024. Telfer is already in production, with Greatland reporting 33,882 ounces of gold equivalent produced in the 27 days from acquisition to December 31, 2024. This indicates that Telfer is firmly in the Production Phase, where the company is generating revenue from an operational mine. On the Lassonde Curve, this would place Telfer on the upward slope following the construction phase, as cash flow begins to stabilize and grow.
Simultaneously, Greatland is advancing the Havieron gold-copper project, also in the Paterson Province of Western Australia. Havieron is a world-class deposit discovered by Greatland in 2018, and as of mid-2023, it was described as being about two years into a three-year construction program, with production targeted for 2024. By March 21, 2025, assuming no significant delays, Havieron is likely nearing completion of construction or transitioning into early production. If construction is complete and production has begun, Havieron would also be entering the Production Phase. However, if it is still in the final stages of construction, it would be in the Construction Phase, near the bottom of the "valley of death," just before the value begins to rise with revenue generation.
Given Greatland's dual focus:
Telfer is clearly in the Production Phase, contributing immediate cash flow and placing this segment of the company on the upward trajectory of the Lassonde Curve.
Havieron is likely transitioning from the Construction Phase to the Production Phase, depending on its exact status as of March 2025. Without precise updates beyond late 2024, it’s reasonable to infer that it’s either at the cusp of production (late Construction Phase) or just beginning to produce (early Production Phase).
Since Greatland Gold’s valuation reflects both assets, the company as a whole is likely positioned near the transition from the Construction Phase to the Production Phase on the Lassonde Curve. Telfer’s production provides a stable base, while Havieron’s imminent or early production suggests the company is emerging from the "valley of death" and moving toward sustained value growth. This mixed status aligns with a period where investor interest typically begins to rise again as operational risks decrease and revenue potential becomes more tangible.
For a precise placement, Havieron’s exact production status as of today would be critical. If it’s fully operational, Greatland is more firmly in the Production Phase; if not, it’s still climbing out of the Construction Phase dip. Based on the trajectory and recent milestones (e.g., Telfer’s output and Havieron’s advanced development), Greatland Gold is most likely ascending the Production Phase slope of the Lassonde Curve as of March 21, 2025.
Yes, it's AI, and Yes it would need to be fed more data in. I just wanted other people to have a human think and their thoughts on where we are in the chart?
Thanks All,
Element79