B2Gold Corp. Update Target $ 6

B2Gold Corp.
BTO : TSX : C$3.97
BUY Target: C$6.00

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:
B2Gold is a Vancouver-based gold producer led by the former management team of Bema Gold. The company is targeting production growth from the Limon and La Libertad mines in Nicaraguaand a pipeline of exploration projects in Namibia, Nicaragua, Colombia, Costa Rica and
Uruguay.

Investment recommendation

We reiterate our BUY rating on B2Gold . Following the close of the CGA Mining acquisition, we expect significant rerating from an enhanced growth pipeline, highlighted by production growth by 158,000 oz in 2012 to approximately 540,000 oz by 2015 even without incorporating any contribution from a potential expansion at Masbate (+50,000 oz/yr) or development of Gramalote (+150,000 oz).

In our view, the Masbate mine also provides geographic diversification to B2Gold’s portfolio while lowering new mine development risk. In addition, the near-term cash flows from Masbate should enhance the company’s balance sheet thus lowering overall financing risk by leaving the company in a strong position to internally fund its growth pipeline.
We also expect that the market will continue to reward the company for continued strong operational performance over the coming quarters as
production ramps up from the Santa Maria and Jabali veins at La Libertad.
Investment highlights
 Our valuation and forecasts have been updated to incorporate the CGA Mining acquisition. We estimate that the acquisition is 8.4% accretive to our 5%/NAVPS (spot gold) estimate as well as substantially accretive to our cash flow estimates over the next few years (500% accretive to 2014E FCF and 23% accretive to 2014 CFPS).
 We have also updated our modeled profile based on the recently released positive Otjikoto Feasibility study which outlined a 12-year mine life with annual gold production of 112,000 oz/year at operating cash costs of $689 per ounce (141,000 ounces at $525/oz in years 1 to 5). Following receipt of approval from the board of directors, construction has commenced with a $150 million loan facility secured.

Valuation
Our 12-month target price has been increased to C$6.00 (from C$5.00), based on 1.15x (previously1.1 x) our 5%/peak $1,850/oz Au NAVPS estimate of US$5.18 (previously US$4.55 at peak $1,750/oz Au), translated assuming US$/C$ parity .